One of our readers asks:<\/p>\n
I travel around 150K miles a year with Delta. I am trying to decide between the delta reserve and the platinum amex. The choice of clubs helps with the amex Plat – but the MQM and companion tickets are better on the reserve?<\/p>\n
Rick<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
With it’s acquisition of Northwest, Delta has become the world’s largest airline.\u00a0\u00a0 Many of it’s most frequent fliers, like Rick, have been wondering which of American Express’s premium offerings are right for them.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We here at AskMrCreditCard have posted reviews of both The Delta Reserve Card<\/a> and the Amex Platinum card<\/a> here in the past.<\/p>\n
Which Card Is Best For Rick?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Mileage Accrual
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nIn his case, he travels so much, 150k miles a year, that he will easily be making their highest tier, Platinum Medallion.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In his case, all of the medallion qualifying miles that make the Delta Reserve card so attractive are really superfluous.\u00a0\u00a0 On the other hand, if Rick is able to purchase tickets on his own card, either because he works for himself, owns his company, or is reimbursed by his company, the Delta Reserve card would be a major advantage.\u00a0\u00a0 It would give him double miles on all his Delta purchases, which must be considerable if he is traveling the equivalent of around the world six times a year.<\/p>\n
On the Platinum side, Rick would accrue Membership Rewards points, which are more flexible and can be redeemed through a variety of loyalty programs, including Delta.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One down side is that you can loose your Membership Rewards points if your account is not in good standing with Amex, while your Delta points are strictly between you and Delta.<\/p>\n
Perks<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Delta Reserve card has a few, generous perks, but it seems almost spartan in comparison to the Platinum card.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Delta card will give you access to Delta’s lounges immediately, and a domestic companion ticket after one year with the card.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One of the most interesting perks is that you get standby and upgrade priority within your membership tier. If there is one seat left in first, and there are two Platinum Medallions waiting for it, the one with this card gets it.\u00a0\u00a0 With Rick’s Platinum Medallion status, he will always be the first in line for any list, if he has this card.<\/p>\n
The perk list for the Platinum card is long and distinguished.\u00a0\u00a0 It’s highlights include complimentary premiere membership with Hertz, Avis and National Car Rental as well as Starwood Gold membership.\u00a0\u00a0 In addition, you get lounge access to variety of airline business lounges, even if you are flying in coach.<\/p>\n
Annual Fee<\/strong><\/p>\n
If it wasn’t for the annual fees, I would say just go ahead and get both cards.\u00a0 Unfortunately, they each have a substantial fee.\u00a0\u00a0 The Delta Reserve card is $450, while the Platinum card is a mere $395.<\/p>\n
The Verdict<\/strong><\/p>\n
It all depends on how much you really like the SkyMiles program.\u00a0\u00a0 Personally, as an “Atlanta refugee”, I have had my share of experiences with Delta and it’s SkyMiles program.\u00a0\u00a0 I also know many people who are current Platinum Medallions.\u00a0\u00a0 If collecting the most SkyMiles is your goal, the Reserve Card might be for you.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, you will not really take advantage of the MQMs, since you are getting as many as you need anyways.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The lounge access\u00a0 is worth $300 to you, and the value of the companion ticket should easily make up the difference in the annual fee, going forward.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, that standby and upgrade priority can be very important. When you are trying to get out of a major business center on an earlier flight on a Friday afternoon, that may be the difference between having dinner at home with your wife instead of at the Cinnabon in LaGuardia.<\/p>\n
As nice as the Platinum card is, I just don’t see it earning it’s annual fee for you, unless you are really going to be flying coach on a variety of airlines, other than Delta.\u00a0\u00a0 In that case, the lounge access will be nice.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There are also so many other perks, but I have the feeling that most card holders struggle to take advantage of a small fraction of them (private yacht service?).<\/p>\n
If the lounge access and the perks of the Platinum are that important to you, there is one final option that I could recommend.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Get the Platinum card, but also get one of the more basic Delta cards such as the Gold card.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You can still get double miles on your Delta purchases, although you will miss out on the priority waitlist perk.\u00a0\u00a0 On the other hand, you can take advantage of all of the Platinum card perks, as well as a slightly lower annual fee.<\/p>\n
Bon Voyage!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of our readers asks: I travel around 150K miles a year with Delta. I am trying to decide between the delta reserve and the platinum amex. The choice of clubs helps with the amex Plat – but the MQM and companion tickets are better on the reserve? Rick With it’s acquisition of Northwest, Delta […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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I am trying to decide between the delta reserve and the platinum amex. The choice of clubs helps with the amex Plat – but the MQM and companion tickets are better on the reserve? 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