AmEx "Request an Upgrade"
 

I am thinking of applying for the Amex Delta Reserve card. I notice that AmEx offers a "Request an Upgrade" link within my existing Platinum account. ("Upgrade your Platinum Delta SkyMiles®-XXXXX to Delta Reserve Credit Card.")

Does anyone know if that path garners the 10,000 MQM bonus? Or should I go through Delta?

Have you clicked on the request to see what the terms are? If I recall the upgrade in cards is only a 5,000 MQM bonus. Delta doesn't issue the card.

You'll get a better bonus if you simply apply for the new card and then cancel your current card. The downside could be the impact to your credit score.

I just upgraded using the link and was not given any bonus MQMs other than what I will get by spend. I didnt want another card so this was easiest. But I also wasnt aware that one could get MQMs by upgrading the card?? Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!

If you upgrade from the Gold card, you get the full 10K MQM/RDM. Upgrades from the Platinum only yield 5K MQM/RDM, IIRC.

Your best bet is to get a new card.

At times, there are upgrade offers to move from the Platinum to the Reserve card. I recently moved and it was 5k MQMs with 2k in spending within two months.

How much is your yearly spending on the amex account? Spending thresholds are based on the calendar year, so you've picked a strange time to upgrade to reserve.

Not sure it's a strange time. I already have the waiver for this year through my existing card. I'm 6-7 thousand miles short of requalifying for Platinum. I get that right away and worry about next year's waiver next year.

Makes sense if you're only spending about 30k a year on the cards. You could maximize across different products and spend thresholds but you'd need 110k in spending. That's why I thought it was strange timing.