topic Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards. in Credit Cards

American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

Saleen099 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:36:17 GMT

These would be the first co-branded charge cards American Express has offered, apart from the d ifferent variations of the American Express platinum card. It’s possible that these are old images for a card that was never launched, but I suspect that isn’t the case. I’ve reached out to both official and unofficial contacts at American Express to see if we can confirm that these images are legitimate and new cards will be launched. It looks like the design for the Amazon small business card has also been leaked.

Moderator Edit - Let’s make sure we give Doctor of Credit the credit (no pun intended) for this article- Irish80

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

simplynoir — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:41:16 GMT

With this and the leaked images of the AMEX/Amazon business cards it looks like AMEX has been keeping busy.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

Eagered2succeed — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 13:47:21 GMT

I know this is going to sound vain, but that's a really nice looking card 😜. Good design if true.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

K-in-Boston — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:03:22 GMT

@Eagered2succeed wrote:
I know this is going to sound vain, but that's a really nice looking card 😜. Good design if true.

Agreed. As far as benefits and features, I just can't figure out where that would sit in the lineup with the Delta Reserve. And of course with the charge vs revolving thing, that would really complicate product changes since there would presumably be no downgrade or upgrade path(s).

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

FinStar — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:22:06 GMT

Two definitely interesting products for sure and the timing couldn't be better 😛. I wonder what the AF structure would be for the Delta charge cards? Similar to Platinum? Would be curious about what SUB, if any, would be offered 🤔.

I'm leaning toward the Delta business version if a great promotion opportunity + benefit structure is offered once all the details are available. From my recollection, it's still 5 max revolvers whether personal and/or business, correct?

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

simplynoir — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:25:03 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Eagered2succeed wrote:
I know this is going to sound vain, but that's a really nice looking card 😜. Good design if true.
Agreed. As far as benefits and features, I just can't figure out where that would sit in the lineup with the Delta Reserve. And of course with the charge vs revolving thing, that would really complicate product changes since there would presumably be no downgrade or upgrade path(s).

I'm wondering out-loud if AMEX has any inclination to changing the cards from revolving -> charge cards with the Delta lineup. Because otherwise this card is an odd duck for them to attempt especially considering the Reserve. Best guess is perhaps they exchange certain perks of the card to change the reward structure to earn more Skypesos. Or perhaps a card that has better earning to get Medallion status.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

simplynoir — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:27:38 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
From my recollection, it's still 5 max revolvers whether personal and/or business, correct?

Very YMMV. There have been recent datapoints suggesting AMEX will allow 5+ cards. If anything AMEX is starting to look like Chase where you can have as many cards as you want but you existing total credit will be a big factor going in. In any case if the rumors are true this new Delta card is a charge card which has no impact on the soft 5 card rule.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

redpat — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:31:23 GMT

???? SMH ?????? SMH, that's all I got!

It looks like Chase and Citi lost out on the Biz Amazon.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

Saleen099 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:49:42 GMT

https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2018/08/16/american-express-will-introduce-new-delta-charge-cards-here-are-leaked-images/

American Express historically offered charge cards, which are cards you have to pay off in full at the end of each month. You don’t get to revolve a balance.

Since you pay it off every month, they’re taking less ongoing risk, and may be more willing to extend credit. They may also be willing to extend larger amounts of credit.
In recent years American Express has taken their charge card customers and offered to let them pay over time though. So the difference between charge cards and credit cards (where you’re allowed to revolve but shouldn’t if you can avoid it) has blurred.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

K-in-Boston — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 15:16:00 GMT

Seems to be more than a rumor since the card images from the Reddit post are actually hosted by Amex. I was planning a PC from my SM Platinum to Reserve and DW's SM Gold to Reserve in January; hopefully there will be further information in the coming months prior to me making that decision. I'm also soon going to dive deep into my annual spend to see if switching from my current "almost everything on SPG" strategy makes sense for 2019 (and likely the last few months of 2018). If I could move $8-12k of monthly spend back onto a NPSL charge card (I used Amex Gold for deaily driver for many many years) that would certainly help me out in the utilization department.

Wish list:

50k or more SM and 10k or more MQM SUB
Instant Flying Orchid (Silver Medallion) status
Obvious Sky Club membership as with Reserve but includes one free companion
Companion certificate that works with int'l and non-CONUS destinations (even if only Main Cabin)
Upgrade priority higher than Reserve
2x earning on restaurants (you know, to keep it competitive with the free Delta credit card) and preferably other categories
Additional Miles Boost opportunity (like another 15k SMs and 15k MQMs at $90k in spend which has been targeted to Reserve members in the past)

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

staticvoidmain — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 16:25:12 GMT

It seems odd if they are deciding to keep the current SkyMiles card design. I have been waiting for them to redesign the SkyMiles card because I personally think it looks outdated at this point (my SkyMiles Platinum is [subjectively] the oldest looking card I have). I am leaning towards the old, unused image theory.

At least their new Amazon business credit card has a modern design to it (no front embossed card number, and uses the new 2018 AMEX logo).

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

FinStar — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 16:57:21 GMT

Heh, I personally like the "classic" but somewhat SkyPesos... errrr, I mean SkyMiles refreshed design 😁.

Historically, their charge cards have prevailed with the classic background aside from updating some cosmetic enhancements such as the chip and contactless feature, or a flat card design on the Platinum, for instance.

I'm sure, in due time, a variety of them could be revamped designed-wise.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

wasCB14 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 17:30:41 GMT

Conventional wisdom has been that the charge cards and the Delta Gold/Blue were the cards with the loosest underwriting.

Combining an inexpensive rewards program with the ability to keep customers on a short financial leash...might this be an effort to expand to even riskier customers?

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

mkhan1093 — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 18:26:39 GMT

Everyone seems to be comparing this card to the Delta Reserve but how do we know that it will have a comparable AF? This could very well be on the same tier as the Gold or Platinum. These cards might serve to simultaneously 1) strengthen their relationship with their largest co-brand and 2) as wasCB14 said, help people with poorer credit participate in this Delta-Amex relationship since charge cards are easier to get approved for.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

FinStar — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:10:48 GMT

Well, mere speculation at best since no granular details are fully known yet. But, on the second point, the Delta Gold SkyMiles *is* already an existing mainstream revolving product to a variety of folks who may have spotty or thin/young credit profiles aside from traditional charge cards UW (aside from the recently introduced Delta Blue).

I suppose we'll stay tuned as more details become available.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

redpat — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:19:14 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
Everyone seems to be comparing this card to the Delta Reserve but how do we know that it will have a comparable AF? This could very well be on the same tier as the Gold or Platinum. These cards might serve to simultaneously 1) strengthen their relationship with their largest co-brand and 2) as wasCB14 said, help people with poorer credit participate in this Delta-Amex relationship since charge cards are easier to get approved for.

Geez, I hope they have enough spend limit to purchase their airfare.

Delta gold covers that low bar, now your asking how low can you go Amex?

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

FinStar — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:33:15 GMT

@redpat, I know right? Maybe the AF will be billed as SkyPesos 😁 Unless it's anything like my ZYNC card, AF-wise.

My interest is still piqued on what the benefits, AF structure and SUB (if any) will be.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

K-in-Boston — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:33:21 GMT

Even if the underwriting were more relaxed for the card, I can't see the card being mass-marketed to the subprime crowd. Your average Joe Latepayments and Susan Newcredit aren't going to understand how charge cards work and likely won't be interested in the card, since "better" products like the Capital One Platinum card and Bank of America Spirit Airlines cards will let them pay their purchases over time.

@redpat does make a good point. At some point, you can only scrape the spending ability so low before the card is utterly useless. While they have Basic Economy fares (I've never used it, but the restrictions aren't as bad on Delta as the other two legacy carriers), Delta's just not going to compete for much of the Spirit/Frontier/Sun Country/Allegiant crowd.

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

FinStar — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:45:33 GMT

Good points @K-in-Boston. So would you feel, although premature, this new Delta product is geared towards your Justin Subchurner, Irma Medallion or Mia Gottoomuchcredit crowd?

Re: American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

K-in-Boston — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 20:07:54 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
Good points @K-in-Boston. So would you feel, although premature, this new Delta product is geared towards your Justin Subchurner, Irma Medallion or Mia Gottoomuchcredit crowd?

Seriously, no idea. Hence my comment on the first page about how I don't understand where it falls in with the Delta Reserve.