Amex REVAMPS Delta Cards with NEW BENEFITS (Good and Bad) – Ask Sebby

Wow AMEX is tripping.

Downgrading the Platinum to the Gold later today.

Have the gold business, IMO the Blue getting rid of the foreign transaction fees is good news for those that have it, everything else is either bad news or irrelevant.

Just got the gold card with 70k signup bonus +50$ credit. They really need to offer more than 2-3 mile earn rates for delta purchases, otherwise the cards oftentimes become something you only get for the signup bonus. They need to do more to incentivize holding it long term.

I'm conflicted. I have the Platinum Card and not excited about a higher annual fee. I'm new to Amex almost a year in. I don't want to cancel the card since they gave me a generous credit limit which has helped my credit score a lot. I may pursue a retention offer, or do you think it's worth it to upgrade to the reserve for the unique new perks?

Seems like this move will inevitably make the Centurion Lounges more and more crowded. The increased AF on the Reserve and still lowish category points return is just underwhelming when you could pay the same AF for the Platinum and get 5x vs 3x…. Can anyone with the Reserve chime in? Will you be keeping the card?

I think this is more bad than good for these Delta cards. Especially the Reserve. For $550 annual fee, I'd rather go with the Platinum card, since you'll have access to Centurion lounges, as well as Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Club (when you fly Delta). With the whole complimentary upgrades, it's great but if you don't have status forget about it. You're at the bottom of the list. Delta first class is always full domestically, even on half empty flights. That and out of all the major airlines, Delta is the only one that can make upgrading to first class affordable even to people without status, so you're competing with them as well.

I'll probably downgrade my Gold to Blue. I rarely use it, and the Amex offers on it are usually weak.

Welp. It's been fun folks. I may have to downgrade my gold and platinum to blues. 🤷🏾‍♂️

I feel Amex / delta made these cc a little complicated with the mqd. Note: I’m in the early stage of the game so I’m not that familiar with Amex.

I have the reserve card! I am seriously thinking about downgrading to the Blue after I get Amex Plat. No more fees to Delta cards.

The reason I got the Reserve was the SkyClub and I have a relatively low credit score. It is a matter of time, where I say goodbye to Delta CC! Hoping to get Amex Plat.

I think the Delta Reserve is better now. The upgrade opportunity is great

This is the reason why I’m not not a big fan of American Express…but good info

The Centurion Lounge benefit is near useless for Delta flyers. There aren't any at important Delta hubs (e.g., ATL, DTW, SLC, LAX, JFK, BOS), focus cities (e.g., RDU, CVG), or international/partner hubs (e.g., AMS, CDG, LHR, ICN, NRT/HND, MEX) with a Centurion Lounge. SEA and LGA are probably the sole exceptions. Anyone with >$10k spend on Delta is going to be frequenting these airports. And if one happens to be at an airport with a Centurion Lounge, it's likely located in another terminal where Delta does not operate. Lounges are about convenience. If one must arrive at the airport earlier than they normally would to walk to another terminal and enter security twice, they're missing the point.

Hi Sebby, great vid! I saw the increased offers for the Delta cards on Amex's website. However, it says the offers expire on 10/30 this year. I'm currently working on my minimum spend of one of my chase cards, don't think I can get it before the end of this year. Do you think this kind of increased bonus would continue until, say, early January? Thank you!

Do you think Delta is about to up-value their Skymiles?

When you upgrade from the Gold too the platinum do they have to pull your credit again?

Should I keep the reserve card if I already have delta platinum status?

Thanks Sebby. Might be worth mentioning that if military viewers can get the fee waived the Reserve is an easy call – I suspect you have more active duty viewers than first-year consultants or NBA players

Hi Sebastian!  Thank you for your helpful videos.  I have a question: I have had a Delta Platinum Card which I opened in 2015 which I have been using as my "Go-To" card for many years and have used points in the past to travel.  However, with the changes to this card (as well as the yearly increase in fee to hold this card) in January 2020, I decided to open a new Delta Gold Card and take advantage of the promotional value of 60,000 points and the $0 fee for the first year.  After waiting another 3 months, can I then also open a Delta Blue card so that I can also take advantage of any promotion at that time given the likelihood that I will then downgrade my Delta Platinum (or the new Delta Gold) at the end of 2020.  Is that a wise and valid plan?

I think you forgot about the $100 statement credit for the Platinum personal. And, how can we use that credit without flying in three months?

Damn, I was actually considering getting the Reserve or Platinum but now
with the changes and price increases which in my opinion are not worth
it, it's definitely a no go for me! 1x on everything else unless you use
it for Delta purchase on a the Reserve, are you kidding me? This is
such garbage! Then the Centurion fine print sucks as well. At least
make it where it's 3x on Gas, Supermarket, Restaurants and any traveling
such as Uber, car rentals, hotel bookings etc. to make it worthwhile
and allow Centurion Access without any of the BS, it's not like there are
thousands world wide.

Looks like Amex is having trouble meeting the demand or having production issues for the new metal cards (platinum and reserve). My card was expected on 02/4/20. I called Amex, they are now stating the earliest date is 02/14/20.