American Express To Launch Delta Charge Cards.

[staticvoidmain]

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 I have been waiting for them to redesign the SkyMiles card because I personally think it looks outdated at this point (my SkyMiles Platinum is [subjectively] the oldest looking card I have).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).

[FinStar]

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.

[wasCB14]

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?

[mkhan1093]

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. 

[FinStar]

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.

[redpat]

---

@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?

[FinStar]

@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.

[K-in-Boston]

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.

[FinStar]

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?

[K-in-Boston]

---

@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.