topic Re: Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards. in Credit Cards

Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards.

Techno — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 07:55:52 GMT

So i'm going to fly delta very soon. like really soon. talking to rep he said they dont do overnights on this card although i got my bcp overnighted. since when amex dont overnight exsiting customers new cards?.

Now... As far as someone who's interested in the bonus 30k miles acknowleding the poor program compared to sapphire and arrival world mastercard.

i would enjoy the free bag and the priority boarding and the delta perks but i would agree it's not the best card for travel even if u fly delta only (which is my preffered airline anyways)

now knowing i'm not gonna spend 3k in 3 months but 1k seems something i will anyways do should i apply for it now and for the sapphire/world mastercard later? is it possible to transfer the rewards points from chase and barcalays cards to the delta frequent flyer program?

Also any opinions on this card because i think it's not the best, it's just the best for now, i might end up canceling it once annual fees comes in favour of the better travel cards, i cant imagine spending enough to make both travel cards worth annual fee and 1 mile per dollar is worthless since any cashback card offers that anyways.

Also which companys are known for waiving 2nd year annual fee just to keep you as a customer on their travel cards?

Re: Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards.

SnackTrader — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 08:29:10 GMT

@Techno wrote:
So i'm going to fly delta very soon. like really soon. talking to rep he said they dont do overnights on this card although i got my bcp overnighted. since when amex dont overnight exsiting customers new cards?.
Now... As far as someone who's interested in the bonus 30k miles acknowleding the poor program compared to sapphire and arrival world mastercard.
i would enjoy the free bag and the priority boarding and the delta perks but i would agree it's not the best card for travel even if u fly delta only (which is my preffered airline anyways)
now knowing i'm not gonna spend 3k in 3 months but 1k seems something i will anyways do should i apply for it now and for the sapphire/world mastercard later? is it possible to transfer the rewards points from chase and barcalays cards to the delta frequent flyer program?
Also any opinions on this card because i think it's not the best, it's just the best for now, i might end up canceling it once annual fees comes in favour of the better travel cards, i cant imagine spending enough to make both travel cards worth annual fee and 1 mile per dollar is worthless since any cashback card offers that anyways.

Also which companys are known for waiving 2nd year annual fee just to keep you as a customer on their travel cards?

I am a little confused about your situation, but I will try to help. If you cannot hit the bonus spending requirement to get the bonus points, the card seems worthless to me. Likewise, if you are going to book your flight before the points get a chance to post (I believe it takes a full statement period to obtain points, but correct me if I'm wrong) then the card becomes worthless.

So here's the question: when are you flying and when do you intend to book the flights?

Ideally, you would get a card that has significant bonus spending requirements (CSP, Arrival, airline cards) 4-5 months prior to booking travel so that you have time to get the card, hit the minimum spending, and leave time for the points to post.

With that being said, the 40,000 UR points bonus from the CSP can be redeemed for a $500 airline ticket when you book through the UR travel site. CSP does not transfer into Delta, but does transfer into some of Delta's travel partners. You will lose a lot of value through that method, unfortunately. Read more here:

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/03/is-there-a-way-to-convert-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-into-delta-miles/

Re: Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards.

Techno — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 09:03:11 GMT

Sorry for making this confusing.

By traveling soon i mean next week, i will get 50 dollars statement credit but the 30k miles bonus is something i am willing to save for another flight later as u said 3-5 months from now, the requirement is 1k spending which i can do but i cant do 3k thats why im not going for chase or barclays. miles dont expire on delta card so i dont mind having them there and using them later on this year. as far as points i see u lose alot of value for transfering making it not worth it. at 1:2.5 ratio, so that pretty much means when it comes to travel i will have to stick to one card and use it to book my flights, which makes me think if i apply now i will almost be required to cancle by next year which is fine by me. if amex where to waive 2nd year that would be great too but im not sure how generous they are in this matter.

Thanks again and hopefully i can get some answers to my other questions.

Re: Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards.

coldnmn — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 10:50:12 GMT

This link may help NewGuy has put a lot of time in his research.

This link should be in helpful threads as the question comes up so often in my opinion.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Guide-to-travel-cards/m-p/2918668/highlight/true#M828524

Re: Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards.

physicist82 — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 15:24:08 GMT

@Techno wrote:
Sorry for making this confusing.
By traveling soon i mean next week, i will get 50 dollars statement credit but the 30k miles bonus is something i am willing to save for another flight later as u said 3-5 months from now, the requirement is 1k spending which i can do but i cant do 3k thats why im not going for chase or barclays. miles dont expire on delta card so i dont mind having them there and using them later on this year. as far as points i see u lose alot of value for transfering making it not worth it. at 1:2.5 ratio, so that pretty much means when it comes to travel i will have to stick to one card and use it to book my flights, which makes me think if i apply now i will almost be required to cancle by next year which is fine by me. if amex where to waive 2nd year that would be great too but im not sure how generous they are in this matter.

Thanks again and hopefully i can get some answers to my other questions.

From a pure rewards perspective I am not sure about the best course of action. But my significant other works for Delta Airlines so we have a lot of run in with Delta Skymiles/credit card people when we fly.

If you fly Delta alot do you already have skymiles in general with them, at one of the nice high levels that gives you free domestic upgrades and stuff? If so the CC might bump you up into the platinum or diamond category. If you fly multiple times per year and always carry a bag with you to check then that may outweigh the cost of the annual fee depending on how much it is since they are $50 per bag each trip. They also do a lot of complimentary upgrades to first class and to even economy comfort and stuff like that. I also see them give out lots of free drink cards in their statements and stuff.

I think this is a good card if Delta and Delta codeshare partners are who you fly through all the time, but one of the other ones might be better if you bounce around to different airlines.

Re: Need Advice about Delta Gold Card SkyMiles and other travel rewards cards.

Techno — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 02:40:53 GMT

getting plat or diamond is for someone who flies heck of alot. i dont fly 30 times or 25k miles a year, so i wont even get silver with them. should i still get the card?