Second card on Delta Reserve - no free SkyClub access
Dec 31, 2016, 12:50 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Northeast US
Programs: DL-PM, 1MM; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 379
This new information that has come to light is VERY interesting, and welcome.
My SC membership expires Jan 31 (as I will drop to PM for 2017). I was bummed because I thought I'd be paying both the $450 fee (for me, tied to my Delta #) and the $175 (for my wife's card...she uses it more than I do to get us to the $25K, now to be $30K spend level for the bonus MQM --- and the MQD waiver).
As I read all this thread, it looks like I can upgrade to Reserve and she can keep her current secondary card as the regular Delta Amex, and all our combined spending goes towards the MQM bonus and the MQD waiver. Excellent!
My SC membership expires Jan 31 (as I will drop to PM for 2017). I was bummed because I thought I'd be paying both the $450 fee (for me, tied to my Delta #) and the $175 (for my wife's card...she uses it more than I do to get us to the $25K, now to be $30K spend level for the bonus MQM --- and the MQD waiver).
As I read all this thread, it looks like I can upgrade to Reserve and she can keep her current secondary card as the regular Delta Amex, and all our combined spending goes towards the MQM bonus and the MQD waiver. Excellent!
Jan 1, 2017, 5:13 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,375
So
If anyone from AMEX and/or Delta is reading this by chance...any system that confuses half your customers, AND many of your employees probably could use some revision. I (think) I understand it, but it confuses this many people, you should be considering making the free companion card a different color or something....
Jan 1, 2017, 6:23 pm
#48
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
If anyone from AMEX and/or Delta is reading this by chance...any system that confuses half your customers, AND many of your employees probably could use some revision. I (think) I understand it, but it confuses this many people, you should be considering making the free companion card a different color or something....
Last edited by xliioper; Jan 1, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Jan 2, 2017, 3:55 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,375
Yes but
What do you mean by "free companion card"? Do you mean the $175 additional DL Reserve card for lounge access? The free additional card for the Reserve (which does not provide lounge access) is just a DL Platinum card and thus can easily be distinguished from the $175 additional Reserve.
Jan 2, 2017, 8:32 pm
#50
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Jan 2, 2017, 11:37 pm
#51
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
You didn't answer the question about what you see as the source of confusion. An additional Plat card can be easily distinguished from an additional Reserve card. The employees don't have to rely on any visual recognition as the scanner will tell them whether or not you are entitled to access. It's not like they will allow you in the lounge by just flashing a card.
Jan 4, 2017, 11:35 am
#52
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Northeast US
Programs: DL-PM, 1MM; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 379
For anyone considering an upgrade from Delta Platinum to Reserve, there is a bonus in play right now until January 26--- 5,000 MQM and 5,000 skypesos after a $2,000 spend in the first 3 months from upgrade.
I just upgraded...Spoke with Connie at the Amex call center...She was very knowledgable and familiar with all the ins and outs of the secondary card options (i.e., Reserve or Platinum).
I just upgraded...Spoke with Connie at the Amex call center...She was very knowledgable and familiar with all the ins and outs of the secondary card options (i.e., Reserve or Platinum).
Jan 4, 2017, 12:51 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: MSP
Posts: 90
For anyone considering an upgrade from Delta Platinum to Reserve, there is a bonus in play right now until January 26--- 5,000 MQM and 5,000 skypesos after a $2,000 spend in the first 3 months from upgrade.
I just upgraded...Spoke with Connie at the Amex call center...She was very knowledgable and familiar with all the ins and outs of the secondary card options (i.e., Reserve or Platinum).
I just upgraded...Spoke with Connie at the Amex call center...She was very knowledgable and familiar with all the ins and outs of the secondary card options (i.e., Reserve or Platinum).
Jan 4, 2017, 4:38 pm
#55
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Northeast US
Programs: DL-PM, 1MM; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 379
Correct...bonus is for the primary cardholder.
This is a real bonus for me, as well as allowing my wife (rarely flies) to keep her secondary card as a regular delta platinum--saving me the additional $175 fee. I'll get 20K MQM bonus in 2017, and possibly 35K. All while having SC access after dropping to PM.
Just wanted to share that the upgrade bonus is there, but only until the 26th.
This is a real bonus for me, as well as allowing my wife (rarely flies) to keep her secondary card as a regular delta platinum--saving me the additional $175 fee. I'll get 20K MQM bonus in 2017, and possibly 35K. All while having SC access after dropping to PM.
Just wanted to share that the upgrade bonus is there, but only until the 26th.
No guests 
Aug 13, 2018, 2:38 pm
#58
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Idaho
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 352
Bringing back this old thread...
The holder of the secondary (paid) Delta Reserve card does not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder in order to get access to the SkyClub, correct? Usually, my wife and I fly together, but she's on Delta next month with a girlfriend and I wanted to confirm my wife can access the SkyClub with just her boarding pass and AmEx card.
The holder of the secondary (paid) Delta Reserve card does not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder in order to get access to the SkyClub, correct? Usually, my wife and I fly together, but she's on Delta next month with a girlfriend and I wanted to confirm my wife can access the SkyClub with just her boarding pass and AmEx card.
Aug 13, 2018, 2:46 pm
#59
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,021
Bringing back this old thread...
The holder of the secondary (paid) Delta Reserve card does not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder in order to get access to the SkyClub, correct? Usually, my wife and I fly together, but she's on Delta next month with a girlfriend and I wanted to confirm my wife can access the SkyClub with just her boarding pass and AmEx card.
The holder of the secondary (paid) Delta Reserve card does not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder in order to get access to the SkyClub, correct? Usually, my wife and I fly together, but she's on Delta next month with a girlfriend and I wanted to confirm my wife can access the SkyClub with just her boarding pass and AmEx card.
Last edited by xliioper; Aug 13, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Aug 14, 2018, 7:41 am
#60
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Bringing back this old thread...
The holder of the secondary (paid) Delta Reserve card does not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder in order to get access to the SkyClub, correct? Usually, my wife and I fly together, but she's on Delta next month with a girlfriend and I wanted to confirm my wife can access the SkyClub with just her boarding pass and AmEx card.
The holder of the secondary (paid) Delta Reserve card does not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder in order to get access to the SkyClub, correct? Usually, my wife and I fly together, but she's on Delta next month with a girlfriend and I wanted to confirm my wife can access the SkyClub with just her boarding pass and AmEx card.
Is your wife going to ditch her girlfriend for the SC?