topic Changes to Delta AMEX Platinum in Credit Cards

Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

odd_dog — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:54:01 GMT

on Amex this morning all the Delta AMEX cards annual fees have gone up. The gold went from $99 to 150. This is crazy

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

redpat — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:42:42 GMT

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

odd_dog — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:45:22 GMT

@redpat wrote:
@odd_dog

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.

I guess if you like paying up front for "coupons" you might never use. But AMEX and apparently you, like that, enjoy!!!

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

mkhan1093 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 13:54:55 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@redpat wrote:
@odd_dog

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.
I guess if you like paying up front for "coupons" you might never use. But AMEX and apparently you, like that, enjoy!!!

No need for the snark @odd_dog. CC strategies are very personal and tailored to the individual's spending habits. Some people may in fact benefit from the coupon-style perks. You might not, and that's ok too - it just means the card isn't a good fit for your lifestyle.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

odd_dog — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:00:25 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:
@redpat wrote:
@odd_dog

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.
I guess if you like paying up front for "coupons" you might never use. But AMEX and apparently you, like that, enjoy!!!
No need for the snark @odd_dog. CC strategies are very personal and tailored to the individual's spending habits. Some people may in fact benefit from the coupon-style perks. You might not, and that's ok too - it just means the card isn't a good fit for your lifestyle.

Funny I find your comment more snarky than anything I said, I said enjoy if that's what you like. Maybe you should learn to read - now is that snarky enough for you?

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

redpat — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:09:19 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@redpat wrote:
@odd_dog

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.
I guess if you like paying up front for "coupons" you might never use. But AMEX and apparently you, like that, enjoy!!!

We all pay up front for something, for example Costco, BJ's, Amazon or a prepaid hotel stay for a discount. This is nothing different.

I will use the $200 coupon and probally nothing else. I have the card for the prepaid discount of a FC fare and now for $100 less.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

LakeLife — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:01:32 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@redpat wrote:
@odd_dog

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.
I guess if you like paying up front for "coupons" you might never use. But AMEX and apparently you, like that, enjoy!!!

My wife and I easily use our companion pass for Delta Skymiles Platinum every year with our annual trips to Key West. I've used it for tickets as high as $600 in the past. You don't need to be a genius to understand that that's a pretty good value versus the $250 AF. I wouldn't have the card if I couldn't use the "coupon".

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

ThomasJNewton — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:24:38 GMT

@redpat wrote:
We all pay up front for something, for example Costco, BJ's, Amazon or a prepaid hotel stay for a discount. This is nothing different.

I am fine with credits that are easy to use and do not actually cost me more, like flight or hotel credits booked with the airline or hotel. I dislike (and value at $0.00 in my evaluation) credits that require using them monthly like the Lyft and Uber ones that are becoming more common.

I will use the $200 coupon and probally nothing else. I have the card for the prepaid discount of a FC fare and now for $100 less.

I am curious about rates for hotels booked through their travel portal. Is it possible to add discount codes when booking? If you have a moment, would you check the rate at the Hyatt Crystal City for two nights this coming Monday Checking out Wednesday. Check whatever the best rate the portal offers by default and the Government/Military Business rate if you can (picked that one as one does not need to know a rate code for it). From Hyatt’s site I get $193 for those two nights. If one can get the same rates, that is great. If not, that is another devaluation of the perk. Neither of the cards I have currently have travel portals, so I cannot check this myself.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

CorpCrMgr1 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:29:56 GMT

Totally agree that CC's are personal. While I will not pay an annual fee, I know people that pay what I consider to be a lot and the card works for them.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

redpat — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:44:54 GMT

@ThomasJNewton wrote:
@redpat wrote:
We all pay up front for something, for example Costco, BJ's, Amazon or a prepaid hotel stay for a discount. This is nothing different.
I am fine with credits that are easy to use and do not actually cost me more, like flight or hotel credits booked with the airline or hotel. I dislike (and value at $0.00 in my evaluation) credits that require using them monthly like the Lyft and Uber ones that are becoming more common.
I will use the $200 coupon and probally nothing else. I have the card for the prepaid discount of a FC fare and now for $100 less.
I am curious about rates for hotels booked through their travel portal. Is it possible to add discount codes when booking? If you have a moment, would you check the rate at the Hyatt Crystal City for two nights this coming Monday Checking out Wednesday. Check whatever the best rate the portal offers by default and the Government/Military Business rate if you can (picked that one as one does not need to know a rate code for it). From Hyatt’s site I get $193 for those two nights. If one can get the same rates, that is great. If not, that is another devaluation of the perk. Neither of the cards I have currently have travel portals, so I cannot check this myself.

I don't have any Gov/Miltary rates but I'm traveling for business next week and the difference on that rate was $4 p/n from hotel site.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

quikj9 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:10:04 GMT

@odd_dog wrote:
@mkhan1093 wrote:
@odd_dog wrote:
@redpat wrote:
@odd_dog

lol! More credits......Your net cost could go to $0

Not bad though, I will have to book one of our weekend stay using Delta portal now for the $200 stay credit so a net change of $100 off original AF (now $450 vs. $550) making my FC companion ticket more valuable since it can be used outside the Continental US now and net cost of $450.

The card more than pays for itself, even more now.
I guess if you like paying up front for "coupons" you might never use. But AMEX and apparently you, like that, enjoy!!!
No need for the snark @odd_dog. CC strategies are very personal and tailored to the individual's spending habits. Some people may in fact benefit from the coupon-style perks. You might not, and that's ok too - it just means the card isn't a good fit for your lifestyle.
Funny I find your comment more snarky than anything I said, I said enjoy if that's what you like. Maybe you should learn to read - now is that snarky enough for you?

Perhaps I can help out here. I think your comment came across as snarky because you made assumptions about another individual's CC and travel strategies, while insinuating that they enjoyed paying up front for credits that they might not take advantage of. That's likely why the "enjoy!!!" came across as sarcastic.

Many on this board take great care in performing a cost/benefit analysis before signing up for a card with an AF and know exactly how to extract X+Y in value while paying X out of pocket.

This apparent miscommunication might have been avoided by stating an opinion in a more impersonal manner.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

redpat — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:41:31 GMT

@quikj9

It's all good. It reminds me of the forums of the past.

A little busting here and there made things fun around here, I know I had my share, been put in the penalty box also, lol!

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

CorpCrMgr1 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:48:21 GMT

redpat

Senior Contributor.

It does! I was here back in those days. I received my shots, IMO not

always deserved. The forums were alive and populated with all types

of credit worthiness. Much could be gained back then.

Changes to Delta AMEX Platinum

pizzadude — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:49:26 GMT

Received an email today, these are the main changes for AMEX Delta Platinum. Details here on AMEX's website also

The annual fee for the Card will increase from $250 to $350 upon renewal, starting on or after May 1, 2024.

MQD headstart / $2,500 annually. Elligibility for upgrades, now card members qualify ( after Reserve Cardholders and Skymiles members ? )

Companion Certificate now includes some INTL destinations, also AK / HI: Companion Certificate is valid for one roundtrip Main Cabin Companion ticket with the purchase of certain adult roundtrip fares on published routings originating within the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to the following destinations: the United States, Puerto Rico, USVI, Mexico, Antigua, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador

Annual $120 rideshare and $120 Resy credits ( $10 / month for each )

$150 Delta Stays credit ( hotel / vacations)

Complimentary Hertz Five Star status

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

OrangeRange — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:10:39 GMT

Honestly, out of the trio I think the Skymiles Gold may be harder to justify now. On the plus side it is essentially 2% back with the $200 flight credit after $10K spend, but that's only if take enough trips to save more than $150 in bag fees, and/or have enough SkyMiles to profit from TakeOff 15 to negate the extra $50 rise.

I think the Platinum and Reserve can still be net benefits if you actually use the companion certificate. The fact that you can now use it to all 50 states, Mexico, the Carribean and South America should make it even more convenient. Weird they excluded Canada from that.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

hawkins — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:30:50 GMT

Amex just continues to do stupid things. It's the main reason I am moving away from them. They keep adding more and more in annual fees and useless coupons. This is a definite no go for me.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

Harvey26 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:48:41 GMT

@OrangeRange I really am having a hard time justifying the Gold Card personally. I think i will more than likely close it before the AF charges.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

RobotDR — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:49:47 GMT

I'm really excited about the new changes. First class to hawaii, carribean, south america?! that's great. $200 delta stays credit? Done. I may get use out of th $120 ride share every month, if uber eats codes as ride share but if not, i'll take the $20-$80 a year as i use uber here and there variably. Resy credit, not sure.

Now I get 4 one-time guests passes to the lounge? Great, i'll take it.

For this year only, they are also giving me $100 flight credit and a bonus $1000 MQD on top of the headstart $2500. Not much $ value placed on the MQD bonus unless I can get close to diamond this year.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

OrangeRange — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:59:07 GMT

@Harvey26 wrote:
@OrangeRange I really am having a hard time justifying the Gold Card personally. I think i will more than likely close it before the AF charges.

Yeah it's pretty much only good for churning the elevated SUB offer now. The Platinum and Reserve may be pricier but their benefits & perks and credits more than offset their fees if you can use them.

Re: Delta AMEX cards just got more expensive

MarkintheHV — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:00:51 GMT

I think I am going to close my Delta Reserve when the annual fee comes due. The annual fee increase, the changes to authorized user costs (I have three AUs) works out to an annual fee of $1175. This is exactly the reason I closed my platinum charge. It used to be $175 for three authorized users. All of that above, plus lounge limits, makes this card no longer viable. I will still hang on to my BCP card, but, I think I am done with AmE/Delta.

Since they announced the changes to the frequent flyer program a few months ago, I started a slow migration over to American Airlines/Citi. Once my annual fee comes due for my executive card, I will check to see if it is worth the new annual fee that Citi is charging as well.