What does the Costco-Amex divorce mean for Delta?
Feb 13, 2015, 9:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, Hyatt
Posts: 215
What does the Costco-Amex divorce mean for Delta?
Amex and Delta recently renewed their vows--but Amex just lost a partner at Costco.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/american...ity-1423746408
I will admit to being an Amex Medallion. I usually get 20K MQM per year from my Delta Platinum Amex--and a LOT of those purchases have been at Costco.
If I can't hit my MQM spending thresholds with the Delta Amex, why use it at all, other than for Delta purchases? I still get return on the card with the companion certificate, Group 1 boarding and bag fees, but as an FO, there is not much utility to retaining Medallion status beyond the perks built into the card, and I don't think I will get to Gold as I have in the past without the Amex MQMs.
Anyone else in this same boat?
http://www.wsj.com/articles/american...ity-1423746408
I will admit to being an Amex Medallion. I usually get 20K MQM per year from my Delta Platinum Amex--and a LOT of those purchases have been at Costco.
If I can't hit my MQM spending thresholds with the Delta Amex, why use it at all, other than for Delta purchases? I still get return on the card with the companion certificate, Group 1 boarding and bag fees, but as an FO, there is not much utility to retaining Medallion status beyond the perks built into the card, and I don't think I will get to Gold as I have in the past without the Amex MQMs.
Anyone else in this same boat?
Feb 13, 2015, 10:48 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: MR/SPG Plat, HH Gold, DL PM
Posts: 413
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ch-2016-a.html
A couple of posters in this thread have indicated that a Costco cash card can be bought online with any credit card, and then used in store.
A couple of posters in this thread have indicated that a Costco cash card can be bought online with any credit card, and then used in store.
Feb 13, 2015, 11:37 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Makes me MUCH more likely to drop both Amex and Delta for good. Also, if someone is unhappy about recent Skymiles devaluations, I think it is more effective to tell Amex you don't plan on renewing their expensive Delta-affiliated cards. I think Amex should care even as Delta clearly does not!
Feb 13, 2015, 2:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: EWR/SNA/SUN
Programs: United 1K; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 499
another big blow: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...ays-mastercard
JetBlue to Drop Card Partner AmEx for Barclays, MasterCard
JetBlue to Drop Card Partner AmEx for Barclays, MasterCard
Feb 13, 2015, 2:54 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
Assuming I can still use Amex next year to buy Costco gift cards, there is still the time and hassle factor to do mgf spending just to meet the $25,000 waiver from the Delta Amex card. If I can't even use Amex directly at Costco, that's about $10k in annual spend for this family that goes to another credit card.
Makes me MUCH more likely to drop both Amex and Delta for good. Also, if someone is unhappy about recent Skymiles devaluations, I think it is more effective to tell Amex you don't plan on renewing their expensive Delta-affiliated cards. I think Amex should care even as Delta clearly does not!
Makes me MUCH more likely to drop both Amex and Delta for good. Also, if someone is unhappy about recent Skymiles devaluations, I think it is more effective to tell Amex you don't plan on renewing their expensive Delta-affiliated cards. I think Amex should care even as Delta clearly does not!
Feb 13, 2015, 3:17 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Posts: 28,190
There will be some people with DL Amex cards who have spending that is just marginally above bonus MQM threshholds who also have a lot of Costco in-store spending. I suspect Amex knows who you are and may look at retention sweeteners.
Feb 13, 2015, 3:30 pm
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
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Posts: 9,779
"What does the Costco-Amex divorce mean for Delta?"
It means Amex will go to any lengths to retain DL as a partner.
Also, is it even confirmed that Costco will continue to have a single-card policy? If not, is it certain that they won't accept Amex?
It means Amex will go to any lengths to retain DL as a partner.
Also, is it even confirmed that Costco will continue to have a single-card policy? If not, is it certain that they won't accept Amex?
Feb 13, 2015, 3:53 pm
#9
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Data point from Canada re Costco and AMEX
Costco in Canada has severed their relationship with AMEX. They have joint with Capital One offering a Costco branded Mastercard and in the stores all versions of Mastercard is the only credit card accepted. That included Mastercards issues by banks in US, UK, Hong Kong (HSBC).
However at Costco.ca, the Canadian online Costco shopping portal all three major cards has been and are still accepted for payment.
However at Costco.ca, the Canadian online Costco shopping portal all three major cards has been and are still accepted for payment.
Feb 13, 2015, 6:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
This creates a lose lose situation probably for Costco and/or Amex.
Bob H
Feb 13, 2015, 6:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 425
Assuming I can still use Amex next year to buy Costco gift cards, there is still the time and hassle factor to do mgf spending just to meet the $25,000 waiver from the Delta Amex card. If I can't even use Amex directly at Costco, that's about $10k in annual spend for this family that goes to another credit card.
OPS 5
Feb 13, 2015, 8:47 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Feb 13, 2015, 8:47 pm
#14
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Is COSTCO severing its co-branded CC with AMEX, but continuing with AMEX as the only form of CC payment allowed at checkout? What would be the point? Especially since AMEX charges merchants a higher percentage for transactions compared with Visa and MasterCard.
Feb 13, 2015, 8:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...vals-take-bite
I believe DL will stick with Amex, as they infused funds into the carrier during the Bankruptcy. Boeing did the same - that did not work out so well for ordering new AC. Amex losing Costco is a shocker.
I believe DL will stick with Amex, as they infused funds into the carrier during the Bankruptcy. Boeing did the same - that did not work out so well for ordering new AC. Amex losing Costco is a shocker.