topic Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue in Credit Cards

Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:09:47 GMT

Not gonna apply right now, maybe in a couple of months, or not lol, but def. my next card for travel to Seoul.

Blue is easier to satisfy sub, so why should I opt for AF Gold. Discuss 😅

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

FinStar — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:41:06 GMT

Have you reviewed the benefits between Delta Blue and Delta Gold to determine the value and how that fares for you + the upcoming trip?

Ideally, you want to maximize the value of any SUB provided you can meet the spending requirements + how often you fly Delta. Would you anticipate any challenges satisfying the spending requirement for Delta Gold? Are you currently a Delta FF or part of any SkyTeam alliance FF program?

Comparisons here. Just keep in mind SUB promotions fluctuate so it's difficult to say what SUB will be available in two months from now (for Delta Gold) - Delta Blue is pretty much always the same SUB. Discuss.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 05:59:14 GMT

Thx @FinStar 😁 I did fly at least once a month from December using different airlines. Before the pandemic, at least once a year. I mostly decide airlines via Expedia or Chase travel portal, always opting for the cheapest one 😅 So mostly Spirit, then AA, then United, Delta only once. I did join all programs, Delta mile is like..855 or something(the least).

Not sure how often I'll use Delta domestically, but internationally for Seoul, looks like Delta is ideal. Plan to visit there once or twice a year. Maybe if I get the card I'll just fly Delta domestically as well..?

Domestically I travel with no checked bag(personal and carry on is enough for me, like AA for that, no fee for carry on unlike Spirit). And solo, of course.

From LAX

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 06:41:15 GMT

The problem for apping now before promo ends in 4/13, my profile is thin, and of course bad too in extreme credit seeking as shown on sig. So even if I somehow get approved it might be toy limit, say like 1000 and how will that work if I'm using it for ticket to Seoul which is like 1k one way and 2k round trip 😭

So if I buy the ticket right now Disco It CB is the only feasible option(that's why I'm thinking of PCing to Miles), 3k CL(SL). Any travel card with that SL will be great, including Delta..

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

redpat — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 06:46:38 GMT

Look at delta plat card. Min $900 from sub and if you fly with someone domestically once a year the card comes with a companion certificate on anniversary date. It's a low bar to spend at least $250 for a flight and anything above means you saved by having the card.

So if you can afford paying $250 up front for the delta plat card it could be your best basically 0 AF or better card. First year your ahead $650....

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

redpat — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:08:36 GMT

OP I saw you said you fly solo. So if you don't fly with anyone the companion certificate is transferable so that may help to get reimbursed your AF.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

NRB525 — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 08:17:08 GMT

@redpat wrote:
OP I saw you said you fly solo. So if you don't fly with anyone the companion certificate is transferable so that may help to get reimbursed your AF.

"The Companion Certificate is transferable, Primary ticket and Companion ticket are not transferable once issued. Companion Certificate may not be bartered or sold. Companion Certificates or Companion tickets acquired through prohibited sale/barter transactions are void and will not be honored for travel."

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

NRB525 — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 08:23:57 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
Have you reviewed the benefits between Delta Blue ...

There's any benefits with Delta Blue?

I guess the one item is the minimal 10k SkyPesos SUB can only be had if Delta Blue is the first Delta AMEX that someone gets.

OP if you are going to South Korea, the Delta Blue isn't going to help out at all. Delta Blue is more of a landing spot after someone gets the Gold and doesn't want to pay the $95 AF after the first year, wants to maintain the account aging with no AF. Then the Blue goes in the sock drawer until it gets closed. Change my mind.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

redpat — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:54:30 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@redpat wrote:
OP I saw you said you fly solo. So if you don't fly with anyone the companion certificate is transferable so that may help to get reimbursed your AF.
"The Companion Certificate is transferable, Primary ticket and Companion ticket are not transferable once issued. Companion Certificate may not be bartered or sold. Companion Certificates or Companion tickets acquired through prohibited sale/barter transactions are void and will not be honored for travel."

🤫

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:02:22 GMT

This is why I'm hesitant to apply for Delta now:

EAJuggalo
EAJuggalo Established Contributor
‎04-03-2022 07:40 AM
Re: Cap1 upgrade. Did I break the Bucket?
Still bucketed. I'm in a similar boat. I got a Platinum in 2016 with no credit score, between credit steps and account consolidation I got it to $4500 in 2017, where it's sat ever since. I've gone between 615 and 700 FICOs and nothing has changed. I've got a couple small things on it just to keep it open for the time being.

EX700 TU 704 EQ 694 4/03/22
Cap1 QS-$4,500 Chase Freedom Flex- $800 Chase Freedom Unlimited- $1,000 Victoria's Secret- $1,200 Citi DC- $800 Amazon Store Card- $3,500 AMEX Hilton Honors-$1,000 Discover It-$1,000 Wal-Mart MC $290 Chase Sapphire Preferred-$5,000 NFCU Flagship $13,800 AMEX BCE-$1,000 AMEX Gold-$5,000

AMEX Delta Blue $1,000 Lowe's $5,000 Navy Platinum $17,000 AMEX BBP $2,000

SL 1000 won't do for intl travel ticket..

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 21:31:39 GMT

So dug up my AMEX decline letter for Delta Gold on Jan 13(my only app for AMEX I believe);

unlike others, it cited only one reason for denial;

'Based on your credit report, you have too many new bank accounts'

😬

Since then I added one more lol next month, Disco it CB, so I doubt AMEX will approve the 2nd time so soon. Well, not doing anything is the easiest thing 😅 I guess

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

FinStar — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 21:57:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So dug up my AMEX decline letter for Delta Gold on Jan 13(my only app for AMEX I believe);

unlike others, it cited only one reason for denial;

'Based on your credit report, you have too many new bank accounts'

😬

Since then I added one more lol next month, Disco it CB, so I doubt AMEX will approve the 2nd time so soon. Well, not doing anything is the easiest thing 😅 I guess

Well, you can try again in the next month or so since it's been 30 days since you were denied. If denied again (for whatever reason), then plan on taking/using Discover and maybe taking SavorOne as a tag along since those particular cards have no FTFs.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

notmyrealname23 — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:24:38 GMT

It's very easy as to why you apply for the Gold instead of the Blue. I'll give you my case:

- Delta Blue SUB: 10k Delta miles for 1 k spend in 3 months, at a minimum value of 1 cpm, that's 10% return on spend

- Delta Gold SUB: 70k Delta miles for 2k spend in 3 months + $200 statement credit on a Delta purchase, that's 45% return on spend

That offer was only available on the Delta website when you made a booking, you didn't have to finish the booking though.

Neither card has an annual fee in year one, the Gold can be downgraded to Blue.

Seemed pretty logical to me. $900 in cash and travel vs. $100 in travel.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

K-in-Boston — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:49:09 GMT

You mentioned traveling solo, so Delta Platinum and Reserve cards would likely not be good choices for you without a companion or needing them to help with elite status. Sounds like the free bag perk on Gold wouldn't make sense for you since you travel solo without bags domestically, and as mentioned in another thread with Delta and its partners you will almost always have baggage allowance on international flights anyway (although again, it does stack with Delta-operated flights).

Gold is unquestionably a better value with its SUB alone. Piggybacking on the above post, when redeeming SkyMiles for an award flight you will get a minimum value of 1.2¢ per mile (there are other cases such as upgrades and Pay With Miles where you could go as low as 1.0¢) but Delta has very frequent sales where that can be raised fairly considerably even on Main Cabin flights. So even a fairly standard 70k Welcome Offer on Gold would be valued at a minimum of $840 toward award flights, while I have never seen Blue above 10k. There are some other perks with Gold as well that you won't get with Blue. Since you mentioned that you sometimes fly Spirit, Delta's Basic Economy fares can be made much more bearable with the Delta Gold card as you would be able to board with Main Cabin 1 and be less likely to need to gate check your carry-on, plus with the recent expansion and terminal upgrades, Delta is making a serious push to be more dominant at LAX.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 23:17:13 GMT

Confusing. Some says on the Surpass thread that Gold only apply 2% for US restaurants. Websites does say US restaurants.

But other websites, Nerdwallet, Forbes, TPG, wallethub all say restaurant worldwide.

Blue says on the website:

'At restaurants worldwide'

😵

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

K-in-Boston — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 23:41:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Confusing. Some says on the Surpass thread that Gold only apply 2% for US restaurants. Websites does say US restaurants.

But other websites, Nerdwallet, Forbes, TPG, wallethub all say restaurant worldwide.

Blue says on the website:

'At restaurants worldwide'

😵

Amex clearly states any distinctions directly on the card information pages where it shows elevated rewards. They do differ at times even within the same family of cards. Do keep in mind that in the middle ground between fine dining and international fast food chains where it is more likely, Amex acceptance at restaurants can be fairly limited at in many areas of the world so the distinction may not really matter to many cardholders.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card - 2x miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - 2x miles on dining at U.S. restaurants, plus takeout and delivery.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card - 6x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.

American Express® Gold Card - 4x points on dining at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.

American Express® Green Card - 3x points at restaurants including takeout and delivery in the US.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

KJinNC — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:08:41 GMT

It is mostly math for your use pattern for any of the Delta cards.

One thing I have not seen emphasized is that with Gold, you and everyone in your travel party gets a free checked bag. That alone can easily be worth the AF, but again, it depends on how you'd use the card.

All four of the cards make sense for some segment of users, you just need to figure out which segment you are in.

Sidenote, I am thinking about downgrading my Platinum to Gold since I am not flying much lately and am unlikely to take advantage of the companion certificate soon. I would downgrade to Blue except that I have already gotten the Gold SUB and I have not gotten the Blue sub, so I want to leave that possibility open.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 17:33:39 GMT

Am glad I did not succumb to temptation applying it before promo end lol. I've already spent too much this year so far what with travels at least once per month, and from now on it'll be retrenchment(2 more trips, to GA this month and IL in May but already paid all expenses in January, tickets, rental car, lodgings). So was actually hesitating to spend 2k to satisfy sub for Gold(since I'm solo, there's really not that much to spend now, bought pretty much everything I want on Amazon and Swatch too). Also curtailed restaurants, so mostly I'm spending on groceries(CFF 5%). Now Gold sub is more manageable $1000 in 3 months. Will probably apply next month or so.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Bradac56 — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 17:58:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
This is why I'm hesitant to apply for Delta now:
Still bucketed. I'm in a similar boat. I got a Platinum in 2016 with no credit score, between credit steps and account consolidation I got it to $4500 in 2017, where it's sat ever since. I've gone between 615 and 700 FICOs and nothing has changed. I've got a couple small things on it just to keep it open for the time being.

I see this type of post allot on the forum.

A higher Fico score alone never means a higher CL. Only putting small charges on the card is the problem, they are not going to give you a higher limit if all you are doing is buying a candy bar once a month.

The entire point of a credit card is to use it, you’re going to have to put real spend through the card before they start treating you better as they have plenty of other customers that will do it.

Re: Convince me why I should opt for Delta Gold rather than Blue

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 18:07:16 GMT

@Bradac56 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
This is why I'm hesitant to apply for Delta now:
Still bucketed. I'm in a similar boat. I got a Platinum in 2016 with no credit score, between credit steps and account consolidation I got it to $4500 in 2017, where it's sat ever since. I've gone between 615 and 700 FICOs and nothing has changed. I've got a couple small things on it just to keep it open for the time being.

I see this type of post allot on the forum.

A higher Fico score alone never means a higher CL. Only putting small charges on the card is the problem, they are not going to give you a higher limit if all you are doing is buying a candy bar once a month.

The entire point of a credit card is to use it, you’re going to have to put real spend through the card before they start treating you better as they have plenty of other customers that will do it.

You're right, that's why I'm hoping for CFF increase, I've spent a LOT on that 500 SL card. CO SO too this year, charging many travel expenses. Already got CLIs on Amazon store card and CITI DC even before the 6th month.