mtsublueraider

The main reason I have the delta reserve Amex is because of skyclub access and better upgrade priority. I know my travel is suspended until mid May and at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if it stretches into June.

Would it be appropriate to downgrade my card until I’m traveling again with the intention of upgrading again when it’s time?

i have a companion certificate that’s good until January 2021. I’m assuming that’d still be in my possession but I wouldn’t get another one until renewal back to reserve?

or... I guess if I downgraded to platinum (I don’t know that makes sense) I could keep my certificate annually around the same time?

Just feel like I’m losing money with the annual fee paid and no flights = no use of the skyclub


side note: please be healthy out there. I wish I could trade all this for being #7 on the list with six seats available!

KDCAflyer

I'm keeping it, but I'm not putting anymore waiver spend on it. I'm not requalifying for anything at this rate, so why bother. My prediction is that Delta will extend current status though Jan 2022 anyway, so I see no reason to continue.

Also, who knows what will happen with the FF programs. I'd rather bank Chase points for now.

sydneyracquelle

Annual fee is not prorated so I might as well keep it until renewal time then dump it.

rylan

Wonder if you call Amex they will offer a reduced fee.

MCO Flyer

Downgrading to the DL Platinum card wouldn’t be the worst idea right now, especially if you are doing a lot of grocery shopping.

mtsublueraider

I think that’s incorrect. When I upgraded I didn’t pay the full fee because the pro-rated fee I already paid was applied. I think it works backwards too. Honestly I may call and ask if they’d just extend my card 3 months and I’d be a happy customer.

sydneyracquelle

Upgrading and downgrading are different than cancelling a card re annual fee proration.

NoStressHere

Yep.

And maybe you would no longer be able to get approved for it later.

hjz131

I was thinking about the exact same thing! I have used my companion cert and currently have no spending on this card, I was thinking about cancelling it and get AMEX Plat when the situation turns better.

Also, I downgraded my DL Plat card to DL Blue card, and a credit of pro-rated annual fee showed up several days later.

Revelate

Most of the newer co-brand revamps (Bonvoy / Delta / etc.) don't have different underwriting standards anecdotally: if you can pay the AF and you want that level of benefits, your choice. Amex traditionally did that on their charge products anyway and Chase followed suit with Sapphire, that change is probably here to stay.

It'd be different if cancelling as new UW standards can happen overnight but customer in good standing doesn't usually go through that. The only thing I can see potentially is falling under RAT's eye (Amex's Rewards Abuse Team) for any sort of changes especially cancellation like I perhaps foolishly did switching hotel rewards programs. Personally I'd hold pat, if we're going to see any wonkiness on prime lenders it could well be Amex first since they don't have the same level of deposits as Chase et al. do currently.

KDCAflyer

I'm changing my mind. I can't remember when it renews, but if it does in the next few months, I'm downgrading.

iflyalexair

This is misleading. I have spent the last 7 years moving up and down from platinum to reserve to maximize bonuses. Annual fees are prorated by month during a upgrade or downgrade. You are refunded the reserve AF prorated by the number of months left in the cardholder's year and recharged the platinum fee, also prorated.

Also, you will receive the companion certificate based on the designation of your card as that last month closes. My annual fees are charged in June and December. I ensure that I hold reserve before those dates to ensure getting the F/J certificate, even if I haven't had that particular card as a reserve for the full year.

sydneyracquelle

Cancelling a card gives zero refund on the already paid annual fee.

technole

I'll probably give it a month or so if I should downgrade, obviously I'll miss the threshold and I certainly wish the reserve card had the grocery bonus like platinum does now. It didn't seem like a big deal then because of the waivers, but now it's apparent not having that kind of puts of damper on the reserve card's benefit.

I know I'm traveling again by the summer, so it's kind of wait and see but may have to approach.

They weren't talking about cancelling the card, just downgrading which they usually pro-rate the fee. I've done it a few times going from platinum to gold.

aryan

Not entirely true. The annual fee is refunded in full if the card is canceled within 30 days of posting of the fee.