The Delta Airlines headquarters hub in Atlanta, Georgia schedules 5,400 daily flights to hundreds of destinations around the world. Its SkyMiles frequent flyer program allows you to earn points on both Delta and affiliated purchases. American Express has created three Delta SkyMiles credit cards – Gold, Platinum and Reserve – for those who travel the most on Delta Airlines. Here is a discussion of the pros and cons of these credit cards.
Each of the American Express Delta SkyMiles credit cards – Gold, Platinum & Reserve – share a number of solid features. Card holders earn 2 SkyMiles points per dollar spent on Delta branded products and services and 1 SkyMiles point per dollar spent on affiliated purchases. There is no limit to the number of points that can be accumulated.
The first bag checked is free for you and 8 other people on your reservation. There are no foreign transaction fees. You can redeem your SkyMiles points towards ticket prices and seating upgrades. Finally, there is a 20% discount on qualifying pre-purchased meals & entertainment.
Delta Gold SkyMiles Credit Card
American Express Delta Gold welcomes you with an introductory ZERO annual fee rate. The second year, the annual fee is USD $95.00. Cardholders will enjoy Zone 1 priority boarding and access to the Delta Sky Club for you and two x traveling companions at reduced rates. Bonus offers are available.
Delta Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card
The annual fee for the Platinum level is USD $195.00. You will receive Zone 1 priority boarding and access to the Delta Sky Club for you and two x traveling companions at reduced rates. If you spend USD $25,000.00 in Delta purchases each calendar year, you will receive a tremendous bonus of added frequent flyer miles. You also have added features in the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) program. You will receive a companion ticket also (only pay fees and taxes).
Delta Reserve SkyMiles Credit Card
For the Reserve credit card, the annual fee is USD $450.00. You will receive Zone 1 priority boarding and Sky Priority expedited security line clearance. You have access to the Delta Sky Club. If you make USD $30,000.00 in Delta purchases each calendar year, you will receive a tremendous bonus of added frequent flyer miles. You will receive a companion ticket also (only pay fees and taxes).
Pros
If you already travel on Delta, then these credit cards can be very beneficial. Here are the top advantages of these American Express Delta SkyMiles Credit Card credit cards:
- Proven Brands = Delta & American Express
- Expedited Airport Transfers
- Faster Accrual of Points
Each of these cards offers reductions for others traveling with you; this suggests that these are great corporate executive credit cards for those booking the flights for their employees. If the credit cards are expensed to the corporation, then they might be quite nice to have.
Cons
These top rung credit card programs should have even better membership privileges and bonuses. The benefits should increase astronomically as you reach Reserve status. Here are some of the disadvantages of these American Express Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards:
- Annual Fee
- Very High Qualification Levels
- Limited Membership Benefits
The Reserve level has some benefits, but many of the other features are still very similar to the lower levels of cards.
Heightened Credit Card Expectations
Originally, Gold was the elite class of credit cards. Over time, there has been a gradual diminishing of the benefits of holding a Gold credit card. While these American Express Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards may be beneficial to corporations booking multiple employees on the same flight, it just seems like there should be more special membership benefits.
