topic Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve in Credit Cards

Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

Laredo — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 14:19:21 GMT

I have an offer from Amex for the Delta Amex Reserve and wonder with all the Delta travel cards they have if this is the best to get. We travel on Delta 2-3 times a year and have a trip to Hawaii next year and a possible trip to Germany in the fall. I never had a travel card and just wonder if they are worth it. We at times use Southwest just to save money due to a cheaper flight though. Any thoughts would be beneficial in my decision to move forward.

Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:28:42 GMT

if you fly Delta 2-3 times a year Delta card will definitely be helpful, for example Platinum for companion pass and such.

Or if you have no preference for airlines just general travel card will be better? Like CSP, etc.

Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

NRB525 — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:43:52 GMT

The Delta Reserve can be a good card for regular Delta flyers, however it might be a bit more than you need.

The Companion Pass only works on continental 48-state flights. Companion Pass a no-go to Hawaii. With the AF of the Delta Reserve, the one annual flight you take ( after the first year of card membership) should be a first class flight to get the most benefit from the second seat value. Indicating you fly Southwest regularly to save money makes me wonder if First Class is in your travel plans. The Delta Reserve also only earns 1 SkyPeso per dollar spend, on categories outside direct Delta purchases, so it's not going to be the big points earner.

Delta Platinum has a Coach companion pass, also valid within the 48 states. Earn rate for regular spend is better, AF is lower.

Having said that, the current Delta miles bonuses can be rather lucrative, and there's no shame in taking the sign up bonus for the Delta Reserve, using it for a year, then after the AF posts determining whether you want to continue, and try the First Class Companion Pass, or downgrade to Delta Platinum. Delta Platinum also has a good SUB. Many of the miles I've gotten for Delta are from several card sign ups over the year. And I am a firm beliver in taking advantage of the SUB to try out the card and really learn how the card works, whether it works for me.

Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

Laredo — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 12:27:50 GMT

I opted for the DELTA platinum and was approved but only for $,1700. I have the Amex Gold with a NPSL and the Blue Cash Everyday with a $15K spend limit. Wonder why the limit on the Delta platinum was so low. I have always paid my Amex cards in full each month and my scores are around 710. I hope this is a card I can increase quickly.

Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

notmyrealname23 — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 13:48:06 GMT

The Reserve is a pretty huge annual fee for someone who doesn't fly Delta frequently. You're basically paying $100 per lounge visit for each of your 2-3 flights a year.

The Delta AMEX Gold is probably a better fit for an infrequent Delta flier, especially if you check luggage on your flights and/or take a carryon (you get a free checked bag and early boarding). It's also free in year 1 so there is effectively no cost to try it out, just a SUB.

Note that if you upgrade or downgrade a Delta card to Platinum (from Gold or Reserve) without ever getting a signup bonus, you will exclude yourself from ever getting a signup bonus, that IMO is quite costly in terms of leaving money (in the form of miles) on the table. If you really want a Delta AMEX card you should sign up for one.

Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 14:00:53 GMT

Congrats and also hope it grows quickly! Thx for the sig, I thought I was the only one to have about 2k SL for PenFed PCR 😭

Re: Amex Delta Skymiles Reserve

Laredo — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 14:05:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Congrats and also hope it grows quickly! Thx for the sig, I thought I was the only one to have about 2k SL for PenFed PCR 😭

I applied FOR the Penfed card when I was at the final month of my ch13. I was surprised I was approved for $2.5K SL.