topic Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please.. in Credit Cards

Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

sdsoccerdad — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 01:45:07 GMT

I just reached my one year anniversary with my Amex Gold Delta card. It was my first Amex card but pretty much doesn't find any action due to the other cards I have that offer more point earning potential. What would you guys suggest I do? I am due any day now to get billed for the $95 annual fee so I was thinking of the following:

1. Cancel and go for a different card.

2. Downgrade to Delta blue since it doesn't carry an AF.

I don't want to risk damaging my relationship with Amex which is why I am not sure which route to go.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 01:56:17 GMT

If you’re not recouping the AF with the benefits.....

1. Move CL to another card and close or

2. Downgrade to Blue

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

K-in-Boston — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 04:56:12 GMT

3. If you will fly on Delta at least once a year with a companion, consider instead UPgrading the card to Platinum ($195) for the annual companion certificate. That will more than cover the cost of the AF. If you prefer to fly Comfort+ or domestic First instead, consider the Delta Reserve ($450).

I got Platinum and DW got Gold back in October. In hindsight, I wish we had both applied for Reserve instead as we’d be getting a pair of companion certificates to use on a transcontinental First flight soon. We will both be upgrading to Reserve in January in hopes that there is an MQM bonus to help us hit Gold Medallion.

Edit: to address one of your points, unless you are going for Medallion status, there really is no reason to put any spend at all on any of the Delta credit cards. Think of them as a paid membership fee for the perks, and in the case of the higher AF ones, prepaid discounted travel.

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 05:14:43 GMT

@K-in-Boston Great number 3! I always forget that point even though I have the card myself. Duh.

Also....expect a pm question concerning your post about Reserve when I get back. 😂

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

K-in-Boston — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 05:25:18 GMT

Does that mean you’re not taking me with you Friday?

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 05:33:28 GMT

Dude....you can bring the whole family! The room maybe a little tight....but we have some fun excursions planned!

Plus, I’m pretty sure me and your DD will have the same mindset about “flying” soon. We can bond over that 😂.

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

wingennis — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:23:14 GMT

I had the same dilemma as you. I hopped onto chat and AMEX downgraded to the Blue for me. Every now and then I go to one of the restaurants advertised on SkyMiles Dining and use the Blue. Keeps the account active and earns extra skymiles.

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

sdsoccerdad — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:10:08 GMT

I just saw that Delta Platinum is offering 70K as a SUB. If I can get this for an upgrade, I'd consider keeping.

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

K-in-Boston — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:27:32 GMT

70k for an upgrade? Never. Worst case scenario, that's still over $800 in airfare! You only get those big offers for new applications, and the 70k Platinum and 60k Gold offers are high even for new applicants (although I've noticed they have popped up rather frequently the past year or so). If there is an offer for an upgrade, it is most likely only 5,000 SkyMiles. A 10,000 SkyMiles offer would be quite generous. Keep in mind that by upgrading, you're agreeing to pay $100 more but in return are getting a round-trip companion certificate each year that can be many hundreds of dollars depending on your itinerary as well as being eligible for Miles Boost, where you earn additional SkyMiles and MQMs at predetermined levels of spend. There's really not much of a reason for them to be generous on an upgrade offer.

Re: Advice on canceling Amex Gold Delta needed please..

sdsoccerdad — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 14:29:55 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
70k for an upgrade? Never. Worst case scenario, that's still over $800 in airfare! You only get those big offers for new applications, and the 70k Platinum and 60k Gold offers are high even for new applicants (although I've noticed they have popped up rather frequently the past year or so). If there is an offer for an upgrade, it is most likely only 5,000 SkyMiles. A 10,000 SkyMiles offer would be quite generous. Keep in mind that by upgrading, you're agreeing to pay $100 more but in return are getting a round-trip companion certificate each year that can be many hundreds of dollars depending on your itinerary as well as being eligible for Miles Boost, where you earn additional SkyMiles and MQMs at predetermined levels of spend. There's really not much of a reason for them to be generous on an upgrade offer.

Guess I was being very hopeful I'm thinking the downgrade path is the best due to the cards I'm carrying right now. I am starting to realize I have overlapping benefits for some of them.