American Express and Delta announced back in October of 2019 that changes would be coming to all 4 personal co-branded credit cards as well as the business versions. These effects take place on January 30, 2020. Since these changes are about to kick in. I thought it would be a good time to dive into these changes. Let’s take a peek.

Sign-Up Bonus

Since American Express only allows you to earn one sign-up bonus per lifetime on each product. Equally, you want to try and earn a sign-up bonus when it is at or near its highest offer. The public offer always starts off at around 40,000 SkyMiles after $3,000 of spending within the first 3 months of account opening. We have seen as high as 75,000 SkyMiles with $5,000 of spending within the first 3 months of account opening. I would strongly suggest waiting for one of the higher offers. As part of the sign-up bonus you will also receive 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs). These are put towards Elite Status with Delta Airlines.

Moreover, you can generally get a great sign-up bonus by using a referral link. Use our LINK, just click on “VIEW ALL CARDS WITH A REFERRAL OFFER” and you’ll currently get 75,000 Delta SkyMiles after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. This current promotion ends 01/29/2020. We will see if there will be an increased offer coming on 01/30/2020 to help promote the new versions of these cards.

In addition, the best strategy is to use a computer to go onto Delta.com and purchase a $100 gift card. Because, if you try this from your phone or tablet that the credit will not kick in. Why this is I don’t know. But don’t chance it. You may even want to use incognito mode.

If you really want this card the best strategy is to apply for this card by January 29, 2020. By doing this you will get the current $450 annual fee. If you apply on January 30, 2020 or later the higher annual fee of $550 will be in effect.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Benefits

We will look at the benefits this card will have effective January 30, 2020.

• 3X on Delta Purchases
• Complimentary Access to the Centurion Lounge
• Delta Sky Guest Passes
• Complimentary Upgrades
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Status Boost
• Companion Certificate
• MQD Waiver
• Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
• Concierge
• First Checked bag free

What is Status Boost?

If in any calendar year you spend $30,000 or more on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card you will receive 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). You can earn this up to four times in one calendar year. So, if you spend $120,000 or more in a calendar year you can earn 60,000 MQMs. Delta defines the calendar year ending on December 31 of any year. The purchase must post to your account on December 31. MQMs are not redeemable. They count towards earning Elite Status with Delta. If you have this credit card you probably already have or are planning on earning Delta’s highest loyalty program. Diamond Medallion Status.

Companion Certificate

Every card anniversary month. So, beginning on your 1^st year anniversary holding this card. You will receive a Companion Certificate in your account on Delta.com in your renewal month. This certificate can be used for travel within the United States only with some exceptions when it comes to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. You only pay the taxes and fees, no more than $75. If traveling across the country the value of the ticket you would be getting more than covers the $250 annual fee.

Delta Sky Club Access

These lounges inside airports allow you and complimentary access to these lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta flight. This is a unique perk of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card. If you are traveling on an airline other than Delta, you may still access the Sky Club for a cost of $39. You may also bring up to two guests to enter for $39 per person. Children under 2 years of age may enter for free with the Card Member. You will have to pay for this with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Credit Card, so be sure to carry it with when traveling. Card Member and guests must be flying on same-day Delta or Delta partner flight. Generally, the $39 fee is not worth the cost of admission. If you happen to have a long layover or had a flight cancellation it’s better than sitting around in the terminal. But Ultimately, you’ll have to decide if he cost is worth it.

Each year with this card you will receive two complimentary guest passes for the Delta Sky Club. These one time passes expire one year from the date of issuance. So if you don’t use them, you lose them. You as the card holder will have to be present with your guests. So you can’t just give these passes to your friends as a gift. The guests must also be travelling on a same day Delta flight or Delta operated flight.

This benefit has a lot of restrictions. But if you have this card you are flying Delta every time you are in the skies anyway. This shouldn’t be too hard for you to use if say taking your family on a vacation.

The Centurion Lounge Benefit

One of the more luxurious perks of this card if you will is the complimentary access to all locations of The Centurion Lounge. Same rules apply as for the Delta Sky Club Access. Must be traveling on a same day Delta flight or partner flight. The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express charge or credit card. How they determine if this was done, I’m not sure. I guess they will have access to your itinerary and receipt.

Overall Thoughts

The assumption I am making is that if you have this credit card you already fly Delta or are about to start flying Delta on a very regular basis. Probably monthly. Overall the benefits I feel more than cover the annual fee if you visit lounges. This is a great card to help you reach the Elite Diamond Medallion Status. The earning categories are lack luster in my opinion only have a Delta earning multiplier. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card has better earning categories in my opinion and you could partner that card with say The Hilton Honors Surpass card with gives you 10 visits to Priority Pass lounges each year and pay only about $350 per year in annual fees instead of the $550 annual fee with this card. Like with any card, run the numbers for any credit card you are considering to see if it makes sense for you.

The post DELTA SKYMILES RESERVE CARD 2020 appeared first on My Credit Card IQ.