Negotiating Annual Fee on DL AMEX
May 2, 2022, 6:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
Negotiating Annual Fee on DL AMEX
Curious is anyone has attempted / been successful at negotiating the annual fee on their DL AMEX Reserve. I am at the point where I am questioning the value and considering a downgrade based on:
1. Increase in DM MQM waiver to $200K annual spend when EVERY dollar I spend on AA credit cards counts toward my status.
2. The main benefit I enjoy is the SkyClub access. With queues at most SCs during peak travel times and the quality of the SC experience diminished I'm not sure I'm getting a premium experience, or any value...especially when I can't even access the SC.
3. Benefit of "Upgrade Priority for Medallion Members" seems worthless in the era of fewer and fewer UGs. I usually either buy a seat in F if I do not think I can score an UG based on route and availability.
4. Fares when using a companion certificate are often HIGHER than when you are booking without one.
5. "20% Back On In-Flight Purchases" saves, at most, $2 per drink and I'm rarely in the back anyway and, when I am, I don't tend to drink because there isn't room for my laptop and a drink on the tray tables.
6. Interest rates higher than other cards that offer equivalent or better benefits overall.
I know...first world problems, but I'm not sure I'm getting a good return on my investment.
1. Increase in DM MQM waiver to $200K annual spend when EVERY dollar I spend on AA credit cards counts toward my status.
2. The main benefit I enjoy is the SkyClub access. With queues at most SCs during peak travel times and the quality of the SC experience diminished I'm not sure I'm getting a premium experience, or any value...especially when I can't even access the SC.
3. Benefit of "Upgrade Priority for Medallion Members" seems worthless in the era of fewer and fewer UGs. I usually either buy a seat in F if I do not think I can score an UG based on route and availability.
4. Fares when using a companion certificate are often HIGHER than when you are booking without one.
5. "20% Back On In-Flight Purchases" saves, at most, $2 per drink and I'm rarely in the back anyway and, when I am, I don't tend to drink because there isn't room for my laptop and a drink on the tray tables.
6. Interest rates higher than other cards that offer equivalent or better benefits overall.
I know...first world problems, but I'm not sure I'm getting a good return on my investment.
May 2, 2022, 7:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,175
Curious is anyone has attempted / been successful at negotiating the annual fee on their DL AMEX Reserve. I am at the point where I am questioning the value and considering a downgrade based on:
1. Increase in DM MQM waiver to $200K annual spend when EVERY dollar I spend on AA credit cards counts toward my status.
2. The main benefit I enjoy is the SkyClub access. With queues at most SCs during peak travel times and the quality of the SC experience diminished I'm not sure I'm getting a premium experience, or any value...especially when I can't even access the SC.
3. Benefit of "Upgrade Priority for Medallion Members" seems worthless in the era of fewer and fewer UGs. I usually either buy a seat in F if I do not think I can score an UG based on route and availability.
4. Fares when using a companion certificate are often HIGHER than when you are booking without one.
5. "20% Back On In-Flight Purchases" saves, at most, $2 per drink and I'm rarely in the back anyway and, when I am, I don't tend to drink because there isn't room for my laptop and a drink on the tray tables.
6. Interest rates higher than other cards that offer equivalent or better benefits overall.
I know...first world problems, but I'm not sure I'm getting a good return on my investment.
1. Increase in DM MQM waiver to $200K annual spend when EVERY dollar I spend on AA credit cards counts toward my status.
2. The main benefit I enjoy is the SkyClub access. With queues at most SCs during peak travel times and the quality of the SC experience diminished I'm not sure I'm getting a premium experience, or any value...especially when I can't even access the SC.
3. Benefit of "Upgrade Priority for Medallion Members" seems worthless in the era of fewer and fewer UGs. I usually either buy a seat in F if I do not think I can score an UG based on route and availability.
4. Fares when using a companion certificate are often HIGHER than when you are booking without one.
5. "20% Back On In-Flight Purchases" saves, at most, $2 per drink and I'm rarely in the back anyway and, when I am, I don't tend to drink because there isn't room for my laptop and a drink on the tray tables.
6. Interest rates higher than other cards that offer equivalent or better benefits overall.
I know...first world problems, but I'm not sure I'm getting a good return on my investment.
May 2, 2022, 8:10 pm
#4
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
For further info, here is the current master thread on retention offers in the FT AMEX forum: American Express retention offers (2022)
May 2, 2022, 8:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,677
I have had mine waived in the past. I tried again last year and they said no so I cancelled the card. Value is not there for me anymore.
Regarding:
#1 - isn’t it $250k?
#’s 2-5 agree.
#6 - no points are worth the interest charge that comes with a carrying balance so this should be moot.
Regarding:
#1 - isn’t it $250k?
#’s 2-5 agree.
#6 - no points are worth the interest charge that comes with a carrying balance so this should be moot.
May 2, 2022, 8:55 pm
#6
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
May 3, 2022, 8:43 am
#8
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,895
May 3, 2022, 9:34 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,395
May 3, 2022, 9:52 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: MSP
Programs: DL GM, MR Gold, Hilton Gold, National Exec
Posts: 534
I have seen it also, and actually both ways. I had a DL agent quote me a fare $100 greater than what I was finding online (I called to try and get preferred seats for all 4 of us). My wife and I have identical current trips using companion fares (with our 2 kids). Fare went lower, she is seeing same fare class as me but her fare is $25 higher.