Amex Delta Changes & New Benefit Changes.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,269
Amex Delta Changes & New Benefit Changes.
Was just reading Condé Nast article in Apple News. Apparently DL and AMEX are revamping benefits for all DL-branded AMEX, including complimentary access to AMEX CENTURION lounges for AMEX Reserve cardholders. Here’s a link to the article: https://apple.news/AszASILcuTAScUw9NikFBmg
Last edited by ryandc99; Oct 1, 2019 at 9:43 am
Sep 30, 2019, 7:37 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
Awesome. Some great benefits for the price but some caveats. What chance is there for a non-Medallion Status Reserve Card holder to get upgrades? Probably < 1%.
Sep 30, 2019, 7:41 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,882
The Centurian Lounge could end up being a nice benefit. Unless a club is near capacity and they start turning people away...
I have thought of adding the unbranded Platinum card for that and a couple of other benefits, but couldn't make the $550 AF pencil out on top of the Reserve's $450. Unfortunately, I just renewed my Global Entry a year ago. That would have covered the $100 bump in AF all by itself. I would be interested to know how the comp upgrades with no Medallion status will slot into the existing upgrade priority. I am guessing at the bottom? After all of the FOs have received their unicorn upgrades to First class? If that's the case, it's something of a "paper benefit".
Also wondering where they will plan to take something away. Upgrades and Sky Club floor space are limited commodities. Increasing both on this side means that someone is going to lose out somewhere else.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
I have thought of adding the unbranded Platinum card for that and a couple of other benefits, but couldn't make the $550 AF pencil out on top of the Reserve's $450. Unfortunately, I just renewed my Global Entry a year ago. That would have covered the $100 bump in AF all by itself. I would be interested to know how the comp upgrades with no Medallion status will slot into the existing upgrade priority. I am guessing at the bottom? After all of the FOs have received their unicorn upgrades to First class? If that's the case, it's something of a "paper benefit".
Also wondering where they will plan to take something away. Upgrades and Sky Club floor space are limited commodities. Increasing both on this side means that someone is going to lose out somewhere else.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Sep 30, 2019, 8:13 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 355
Looks like a few negative changes:
- The bonus RDMs upon reaching spend thresholds are gone. It's now only MQMs you get, no RDMs.
- The SkyClub access for non-Reserve DL Amex holders (Gold/Plat) is now $39, up from $29
Anyone else spot similar "enhancements"?
- The bonus RDMs upon reaching spend thresholds are gone. It's now only MQMs you get, no RDMs.
- The SkyClub access for non-Reserve DL Amex holders (Gold/Plat) is now $39, up from $29
Anyone else spot similar "enhancements"?
Sep 30, 2019, 8:16 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: dca
Programs: Delta Plat, United Silver, Marriott LT Titanium, HHonors Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 337
https://news.delta.com/consumers-bus...-express-cards
Sep 30, 2019, 8:16 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 142
For the Reserve card this doesn't seem like a positive change. Global entry and companion upgrades don't seem very useful. The fee is $100 more and we no longer receive 15,000 Skymiles when spending $30k. The new earning structure is fairly useless, so the only new benefit is you can boost multiple times and get 2 sky club entries for a guest. The Centurion Lounge is already overcrowded as is, and this is not going to help.
Sep 30, 2019, 8:19 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 355
Actually it looks like the SkyClub access for Gold is going away.
https://news.delta.com/consumers-bus...-express-cards
https://news.delta.com/consumers-bus...-express-cards
Oof, you're right. Also, no more MQD waiver available with Gold!
Starting January 1, 2020, you can no longer earn an MQD waiver with the Delta Gold Card.
Starting January 30, 2020, you will no longer be able to access Delta Sky Club® with the Delta Gold Card.
Starting January 30, 2020, you will no longer be able to use Sky Priority Security Access with the Delta Reserve Card.
Starting January 30, 2020, you will no longer be able to access Delta Sky Club® with the Delta Gold Card.
Starting January 30, 2020, you will no longer be able to use Sky Priority Security Access with the Delta Reserve Card.
Sep 30, 2019, 8:21 am
#10
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: 18,889
BTW the Reserve is also one of the cards supposedly gaining trip cancellation/delay insurance features:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ect-cards.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ect-cards.html
Sep 30, 2019, 8:23 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL PM, Hertz PC, HH Dia
Posts: 246
Actually a pretty significant downgrade for all 3 cards (Gold, Platinum, Reserve). Of course, they would never advertise it as such.
For Platinum Delta card holders, the annual fee goes up $55, SkyClub access costs more, 10,000 RDMs for every $25k in spend goes away (major downgrade). The only positive change is a $100 credit that can only be used every 4 years (and is already available on dozens of other cards) and a few more points when booking at Delta or using the card at restaurants/grocery stores. However, you can already get 5x points when booking with AMEX Platinum, so that's worthless, and CSR gives 3x points on dining, while the regular AMEX Gold card gives 4x on dining and grocery stores.
Basically, the card is significantly worse but is more expensive. I may drop it now and have held it for ~8 years.
For Platinum Delta card holders, the annual fee goes up $55, SkyClub access costs more, 10,000 RDMs for every $25k in spend goes away (major downgrade). The only positive change is a $100 credit that can only be used every 4 years (and is already available on dozens of other cards) and a few more points when booking at Delta or using the card at restaurants/grocery stores. However, you can already get 5x points when booking with AMEX Platinum, so that's worthless, and CSR gives 3x points on dining, while the regular AMEX Gold card gives 4x on dining and grocery stores.
Basically, the card is significantly worse but is more expensive. I may drop it now and have held it for ~8 years.
Sep 30, 2019, 8:24 am
#14
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: 18,889
Here’s a link to the article: https://apple.news/AszASILcuTAScUw9NikFBmg
And the body of article if you can’t access it because you don’t use iOS:
And the body of article if you can’t access it because you don’t use iOS:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/del...-for-travelers
Sep 30, 2019, 8:27 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
Under normal business travel patters I'd agree 100%. But there can't be many traditional business travelers who don't have status, but do have a Delta Reserve Card. If anything they will probably do ok as I'd imagine they'd be more on the leisure travel itineraries where upgrades are much more possible.
