New Delta Reserve card from American Express.
May 7, 2008, 5:42 am
#181
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 10 months VLC, 2 months everywhere else
Programs: *A
Posts: 3,770
Let's think about it this way... Are you ok with all your eggs being in one basket? All of your spending and miles will accumulate in DL. With the continuing devaluation of the SM program and the undefined "new" awards redemptions, are you comfortable with banking all of these miles? It is useless to have all of these miles if you can't use them, even for SkyChoice.
To me, the AmEx Platinum provides flexibility via the Membership Rewards program. If you can't find something on DL, you should be able to find something on another airline for the award travel. There are no blackout dates, there are no restrictions. You cant say the same thing with DL or ST partner awards. Also the Pay with Points allows you accumulate miles unlike DL's PWM (but that's a bit off point). To me that's the major ^ about the AmEx Platinum, the ability to actually USE the miles earned versus DL's HOPE of using the miles earned.
Also, the AmEx Platinum provides Domestic and International Companion programs. It is good to have when needed.
To me, the AmEx Platinum provides flexibility via the Membership Rewards program. If you can't find something on DL, you should be able to find something on another airline for the award travel. There are no blackout dates, there are no restrictions. You cant say the same thing with DL or ST partner awards. Also the Pay with Points allows you accumulate miles unlike DL's PWM (but that's a bit off point). To me that's the major ^ about the AmEx Platinum, the ability to actually USE the miles earned versus DL's HOPE of using the miles earned.
Also, the AmEx Platinum provides Domestic and International Companion programs. It is good to have when needed.
May 7, 2008, 6:43 am
#182
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Atlanta & San Francisco
Programs: DL 2MM DM & My Wife is a DL 3MM DM
Posts: 2,784
Has anyone actually received the 10k or 5k MQMs (whatever they are getting) for signing up and making the 'first' purchase? If so, when are the MQMs posting to your DL account? Is it literally right after the first purchase posts to your AXP account, at the end of your first billing cycle, etc? Thanks.
May 7, 2008, 7:21 am
#183
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,867
Us mostly retired folks can still use these SkyMiles. I have been living in Malta for the last five years but will be spending more time near Atlanta and in Costa Rica. SkySaver J seat availability to CR dictates when we travel. Getting "free" MQM's to gain status is now the new goal. The only way to gain status with BA was by actually travelling on BA flights (at least four per year). Getting status without flying is a gift from Delta.
May 7, 2008, 7:37 am
#184
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, Starwood Plat, Hertz 5*
Posts: 288
I second that. Unless there is actual upgrade benefits for having the DL Reserve card, I don't plan on giving up my Biz AMEX Plat and Biz Delta AMEX Plat. I already get 5% off with the DL Biz card, and I love the flexibility of the Biz AMEX Plat.
May 7, 2008, 8:22 am
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
Question for you, are you traveling enough to need the benefgits of elite status? Especially since there are very limited international benefits. It also works for you because you have flexible travel schedule. The vast majority of SMers are more specific with desired travel dates.
May 7, 2008, 8:45 am
#186
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,867
Question for you, are you traveling enough to need the benefgits of elite status? Especially since there are very limited international benefits. It also works for you because you have flexible travel schedule. The vast majority of SMers are more specific with desired travel dates.
The "Is PM worth it?" thread and the benefits matrix on delta.com show several benefits I would be interested in.
Also, if Delta ever rolls out a true flat-bed product on all their long haul routes, like the new 777 they just bought, then who knows, I may actually start flying TATL with them again.
It was the poor TATL J product that Delta offered compared to BA that drove me away 4 years ago. (And the "20 questions" routine on all LGW departures)
May 7, 2008, 8:49 am
#187
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA - AirTran Elite #1 FF * Delta Diamond Medallion * Starwood Platinum * PriorityClub Gold * Hilton Diamond
Posts: 672
Has anyone actually received the 10k or 5k MQMs (whatever they are getting) for signing up and making the 'first' purchase? If so, when are the MQMs posting to your DL account? Is it literally right after the first purchase posts to your AXP account, at the end of your first billing cycle, etc? Thanks.
Here's how it posts:
02 May 2008 Delta SkyMiles Credit Card DR WEL BNS
0 5000 5000 5000
May 7, 2008, 9:01 am
#188
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Atlanta & San Francisco
Programs: DL 2MM DM & My Wife is a DL 3MM DM
Posts: 2,784
Thanks JoeFlyer. Am I correct in assuming you mean "posted within one week" from the date/posting of the first purchase?
May 7, 2008, 9:08 am
#189
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Metro Detroit
Programs: DL Plat, NW Plat
Posts: 708
Let's think about it this way... Are you ok with all your eggs being in one basket? All of your spending and miles will accumulate in DL. With the continuing devaluation of the SM program and the undefined "new" awards redemptions, are you comfortable with banking all of these miles? It is useless to have all of these miles if you can't use them, even for SkyChoice.
To me, the AmEx Platinum provides flexibility via the Membership Rewards program. If you can't find something on DL, you should be able to find something on another airline for the award travel. There are no blackout dates, there are no restrictions. You cant say the same thing with DL or ST partner awards. Also the Pay with Points allows you accumulate miles unlike DL's PWM (but that's a bit off point). To me that's the major ^ about the AmEx Platinum, the ability to actually USE the miles earned versus DL's HOPE of using the miles earned.
Also, the AmEx Platinum provides Domestic and International Companion programs. It is good to have when needed.
To me, the AmEx Platinum provides flexibility via the Membership Rewards program. If you can't find something on DL, you should be able to find something on another airline for the award travel. There are no blackout dates, there are no restrictions. You cant say the same thing with DL or ST partner awards. Also the Pay with Points allows you accumulate miles unlike DL's PWM (but that's a bit off point). To me that's the major ^ about the AmEx Platinum, the ability to actually USE the miles earned versus DL's HOPE of using the miles earned.
Also, the AmEx Platinum provides Domestic and International Companion programs. It is good to have when needed.
May 7, 2008, 9:26 am
#190
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
Then may I ask, how much of these benefits are you able to take advantage of as an Elite member that doesn't fly enough? I had no problem dropping from Platinum last year to Gold this year as I didn't fly enough on DL and didn't find the benefits worth it. This goes off topic, but goes back to the original discussion... does it matter if these MQMs are everywhere and everybody gets Elite status, if these Elitesdon't use it to fly?
May 7, 2008, 10:18 am
#191
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Metro Detroit
Programs: DL Plat, NW Plat
Posts: 708
Then may I ask, how much of these benefits are you able to take advantage of as an Elite member that doesn't fly enough? I had no problem dropping from Platinum last year to Gold this year as I didn't fly enough on DL and didn't find the benefits worth it. This goes off topic, but goes back to the original discussion... does it matter if these MQMs are everywhere and everybody gets Elite status, if these Elitesdon't use it to fly?
I agree with you that, for the most part, my kind of Plat is not competition for upgrades. Except for the guy who doesn't get it when I do.....
May 7, 2008, 4:56 pm
#192
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: HOU via MSY
Programs: WN: A+, CP National: Exec. Elite. Choice hotels: Platinum Priority Club: Platinum
Posts: 224
Delta Reserve card
I just received an invitation in the mail to receive a Delta Reserve AMEX. Did anyone who received this notice that there is a picture of the 747, which Delta does not fly, yet. I just found this slightly amusing. We get enough innacurate photos and videos from the media, you would think a airline branded credit card could get it straight.
May 7, 2008, 5:35 pm
#193
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
There is a lengthy thread about the new card... perhaps this thread should be blended into it:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811005
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811005
May 7, 2008, 8:42 pm
#194
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lihue, HI, USA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K; Delta Silver Medallion (1MM); Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold; National Executive
Posts: 1,111
Note that both of these posters did tout other Reserve bennies which are potentially good reasons to go with the Reserve card.
If the CRC benefit was an actual membership (thus including WCs and PCs), I might go ahead and make the switch myself. I'd also need the WiFi benefit at CRCs. Once DL and NW are merged thus presumably providing WC access to Reserve cardholders, I may be more likely to switch. But for now, I'm sticking with my DL Platinum.
May 7, 2008, 8:51 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: DL FO, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 12,003
There is a lengthy thread about the new card... perhaps this thread should be blended into it:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811005
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811005
RSSrsvp - Moderator