jamesteroh

Main reason I got the reserve was for the MQM's to be diamond. Unfortunately Delta and AmEx made a drastic cut to that benefit a few years ago when they raised the spend requirement by 1000% for the MQD waiver. It does give me some nice rollover miles though and is heping me get to my next MM status a lot faster with the MQM boosts.

volabam

I'm not everybody but as a sample size of 1 if travel returned to normal levels, I value arrival access enough that I'd replace the Reserve with an SC membership if that were a path to that access. I wouldn't dump AX cards entirely (have a regular Plat and a Reserve) but would replace the Reserve with the DL Platinum to use for MQD waiver and MQMs. The companion pass was painful to use--I don't consider the J companion pass worthless but it's not $550 to me. And the upgrade priority tie-breaker is below fare class--if it were just below Medallion status and before fare class, I'd probably keep the Reserve in that hypothetical scenario.

volabam

With the opportunity cost associated with $250k spend for Diamond, I'd run that spend through 5% categories or 2-3% everyday cards and just pay for J with the extra cash. Then might make Diamond without an MQD waiver . The MQMs are nice and I've got a good headway into some kind of status in 2024 but could get a good part of that with the DL Platinum for $300 less per year.

photojojo

I assume you mean people who get the card solely (just) for the lounge access and not that the lounge access is the only benefit of the card yea?

ijgordon

No, I meant people who buy lounge memberships.

kale73

I’m must be missing the point here. What other benefit does a “membership” provide other than lounge access?

xliioper

DM's get a real Individual membership these days if they choose that as their CB (Exec membership requires 2 CBs). AMEX Reserve cardholders get access, but not a membership. The main distinction these days is that actual members get access when they are flying same-day DL or partner operated flight (even if not DL marketed). While AMEX Reserve cardholders only get access if flying DL operated or DL marketed flights, but not when flying partner metal that is not DL marketed. Although if they are STE+ and flying international on partners, they will have access based on their status. Of course Exec members also get comped guests.
The distinction was more meaningful back when a Sky Club membership got you into AF/KL partner operated lounges on domestic flights.

ChurnieEls

Narrow viewpoint.

Depending on the employer, a membership may be a reimbursable expense whereas a personal credit card annual fee may not be.

steveholt

I think if you tell a flight attendant that they need to offer PDBs, multiple drink rounds and snack passes, and better food because you don't have access to an airport lounge on arrival, they're going to laugh at you.

MSPeconomist

Or vice versa. Some employers provide corporate AmEx Plat charge cards to employees who travel as part of their jobs.

Minnyappleus

You've missed the point of this post. Clearly FAs follow the outline DL sets for them. My point was that I (and others) should no longer accept COVID cutbacks as the company claws away even more benefits. I've been giving DL a pass on service and quality and will now become more vocal - phone, email, and surveys - about the experience when necessary. Delta does listen and compensate when appropriate.

findark

Can't speak for "most people" but I hold the Reserve for the cert (which more than pays for it) and free SC access is icing on the cake. I didn't keep a domestic lounge membership on airlines where I actually had to pay.

Although at this point I am also an Amex Plat cardholder, so...

Adelphos

The main attraction of the Reserve for me is the ability to earn MQM - maintaining Platinum or even Gold is worth the fee for me. The certificate is fine, but increasingly hard to use. SkyClub access can be had with the Amex Platinum, which is basically a free card for me because the various credits work for me.

MSPeconomist

I purchased a TWA lifetime lounge membership early in my career. When the lounge that I used most closed, I purchased a DL Crown Room membership for a couple years even though I wasn't flying DL much then (as lounges didn't require flights on particular airlines then unless you were entering based on an AmEx Plat card). Under PMNW and now DL, I never felt the need to get a lounge membership as I always have several (up to four or five) permitted ways to enter a lounge.

dcstudent

Just got an email from Delta. Arrival access is restored!