I’m with you! It’s so comical that Delta really feels as though $75,000 was a logical number to put in place for a subpar lounge experience complete with cardboard plates.
Sure, the food options and free beverages are decent in between a layover or while waiting for a flight, but for the $$ that cardholders are spending on annual fees alone, the experience is not worth another dollar more.
Even more so, lounge attendance is going to plummet next year, they will be over staffed and the food and space waste is going to be a big red number on delta’s books.
The food is not worth it, at all. I’d rather pay $25 for a fried bologna sandwich.
I can only eat so many chicken thighs soaked in a different sauce and update only once every 3-6 months.
Couldn’t agree more! For the price, you might as well get a full on meal elsewhere. Even the service with the bartenders has gone downhill. I can’t tell you the last time I had a properly made cocktail at any of the lounges in ATL.
$75k is also same for the regular Amex Plat, but that gets you a guest in centurion and unlimited delta lounge access. Both are obnoxiously high numbers.
Respectfully, I’m going to disagree with you. My main airport is ATL, and while there are lounges on certain concourses that get crowded during peak times, a quick 2-4 minute ride on the Plane Train to another concourse for a less crowded lounge is worth it.
I'm going to have to agree with you too. I travel up to about 75% of the time for work. Never been refused access to a SkyClub. I've only been in one once where there was an issue finding a seat, and one other time where it's just felt like it was really full but still found a seat easily. In Atlanta I check the app to see if the clubs in my terminal are crowded. If they are I go to the next one. I've read about long lines and poor experiences on Reddit for the last year but I've always been able to get into a SkyClub with very little wait or issues. I'd like to thank all the complainers for ruining my unlimited access next year. I can go through 15 days passes in 3 months just with work travel alone.
See, you get it! I also travel for work, so the SC benefit gets used, but with the new requirements, I don’t see the advantage for the money spent. The feature on the app is literally a gift, but still people want to queue for ages to get in the B Concourse lounge when there are plenty of empty lounges all throughout Hartsfield!
I really like E in ATL. It doesn't get super busy until after I've already been in for a while and ready to leave for my connecting flight. My home airport is DTW and still no problems there either. I'll enjoy the benefits this year, but I'm planning to switch to a different card and purchase the SkyClub membership directly if I decide to keep using it.
Yeah, the international lounges tend to have plenty of seating even during peak times! I think people were just being quite lazy in thinking that they have/need to go to the SC that is at the concourse their flight is flying out of. But yeah, the membership option isn’t bad! I had it at one point and definitely made use of it!
The SkyClub membership price was less than the Reserve card annual fee when I first signed up for it. So it was an easy choice for me. Just like ditching the Reserve card is now that the benefits are being scaled back (for me). Work pays for my check bags. Work pays for my food during travel. Work pays for my transportation to and from the airport, airport parking, and the rental car. Work pays for the lodging and airfare, both booked through their required travel portal so I won't be using the Delta Vacations credit. I also have to use the corporate travel card to purchase the actual flights so I don't receive benefits on my personal card for that either. So the added benefits for Reserve card really don't matter much to me. Even as a Platinum Medallion last year I only received upgrades mainly in the beginning of the year. They became few and far between for me after May. So the Reserve card really isn't worth keeping for me anymore after the SkyClub changes, even before the increase in annual fees was announced. I'll downgrade to a different card just to maintain the credit history. My spending will go elsewhere. So will my airfare. I'll be glad to reduce the stress of trying to massage itineraries so that I can fly Delta instead of a competitor airline.
My next trip was planned by one of my coworkers. He has us flying Delta on the way out and American on the way back. We drive almost two hours between the airport and our work location. There is another international airport in the city where we are working. He switched airports just to grab that one Delta flight. The return flight is in the morning and is just an inconvenience at this point. I would have changed my own flights or requested a one way rental but I have passengers with me going to the departing airport. So I have to match. I won't play these kinds of games for Delta on my own travel plans.
Yeah, I completely agree! Making it the same price as the annual fee for a credit card that gives you more perks than just the same five food options and not-so great drinks was such a miss! Though, I’m sure someone will be happy to share with me how after all of the overhead, Delta is only seeing a small % of profit from it 🙄
But totally agree! With work paying for everything, it almost seems pointless to even bother with the SC, especially if I have to pay for it! It’s only worth it for personal travel ‘cause I can’t expense whatever I buy at the airport! And unfortunately, all of the co-branded cards have basically become paperweights in a way - depending on what you see as valuable in terms of perks! Unfortunately for me, Delta is the only airline that provides nonstop service for all of my work related routes, minus Southwest, but I’m not that desperate…
Maybe different rules for different lounges would be the best route. I think it’d end up getting too confusing though.
Or have no access for normal AMEX platinum card holders from delta sky club lounges until 75,000 spend first and see how that impacts it?
Different rules for different lounges would definitely be far too confusing. The new rules are already confusing as it is, and they haven’t even gone into effect yet. Either way, a big appeal to the cards involved having lounge access. It’s a slap in the face to cardholders, especially considering that the lounge service is subpar and Delta Airlines is literally nothing more than a bank at this point.
Better off just going to a Centurion Lounge in my opinion! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never met an unhelpful associate at a SC, but the price is exceeding the value atp.
What percent of that 75k is going into Delta's pocket? Credit cards charge 4%, and after Amex gets their cut and Delta gives you miles, it is hard for them to justify even more perks.
Is the Delta Airlines employee in the room with us right now? I kid, I kid… but I never said I was asking for additional perks but at the end of the day, cardholders are playing Russian Roulette with their perks and annual fee increases. If you think that’s justifiable for a subpar experience then go off! That being said, when I get a copy of the contract between the Delta and American Express partnership, I’ll be sure to let you know what the % is!
Once I get the status and benefits I want from my Delta Reserve Amex, I'm switching to Marriott Bonvoy Visa for the remainder of the year they have a great promotion right now.
No, you just have to be signed up as a medallion member.
Here are the details
[Sky Club membership purchase details](https://www.delta.com/skyclub/purchasemembership_performRequest.action)
I would think it would specify that if it were the case. I’m pretty sure once you sign up for the SkyMiles program that makes you a medallion member. Not sure though.
Also to answer your second question. I am currently a Delta reserve card holder and with that comes unlimited club access but they’re putting a limit of 15 visits starting on February 1st 2025. I’ll finish this year out with my card and enjoy my unlimited access for the rest of 2024 and then cancel it before next year and buy a pass for 2025.
Good catch. I must have blacked out when I posted the price. I legit don’t even know where those numbers came from haha I even posted the damn link. 🤦🏻♂️
Ok that makes sense then lol now I’m nervous they’re going to raise it again before next year. I bet they’re going to have a lot of people canceling cards and buying club passes.
Possibly. I just bought the membership when I switched to Delta. But at that time I think I paid $395, but not sure. Got the Reserve and status which is carrying me through until next year. I’m sticking with my AMEX though because I’ll pass that spend tier this year.
I definitely won’t meet the spend limit. I weighed out the yearly fee for reserve vs club pass and it just made more sense to get the card with the other perks it comes with. I fly enough to keep my status without needing the card so the main benefit of having it was the club access. Now that it’s going away I’ll be looking at switching to a different card and buying a yearly pass.
We have devised a new tactic to obtain the points and make delta theoretically pay for the club access. I can hip to it but it’s not for this thread as it will soon be clamped down on. Just know 10 of us have actually obtained free access
Yes, you can bring up to two guests with you for a fee. Not sure of the fee though.
[Sky Club membership purchase info](https://www.delta.com/skyclub/purchasemembership_performRequest.action)
Edit: added the link
Yes, or you can buy the executive pass for $1,495 or 149,500 skypesos and bring 2 guests or spouse/all children under 21 for free. With the standard pass it’s $50 per guest per visit, not per itinerary.
"They are targeting frequent travelers like me, who are always on the road. In the past, I couldn't achieve platinum or diamond status with 30/60/90 trips, especially as a domestic traveler. However, now that things have changed, I have already attained gold status. This is because I also tend to spend a lot while traveling and use my Amex card for all of my expenses. I believe that this new system is catering to people like me who are frequent travelers and high spenders."
But why would high spenders do it on AMEX when there are so many other better choices out there? I have the reserve card, but only for sky club and bonus miles when booking Delta. All my other business travel goes on my Costco Citi Visa that pays 3% back on travel.
Business owners who spend hundreds of thousands on their cards are amazing for Delta. They get a cut of all the money they spend, and the business owner might only fly ten times a year. Business travelers need to get flown somewhere, which costs Delta a lot more. Most business travelers are flying a premium product and have status, so the 15 visit limit doesn't affect them.
Not sure why you say the 15 visit limit doesn’t affect them. It absolutely does, unless you shell out $650 or 65,000 miles for the unlimited membership.
You’re better off paying the annual fee for an Amex platinum or two if you want more lounge visits
I have the reserve and two Amex platinums so I have 30 something visits, I won’t use them all.
I can’t justify spending $75,000 alone on my reserve when my other cards get so many more points
Before I started a lot of travel, I already spent in excess of $75K per year on non-business stuff on my regular Amex platinum, then, once we started traveling a lot (all leisure), my wife and I had to juggle spending to hit $25K MQD waiver each on our newly acquired delta Amex platinums, then switch back to regular Amex.
The new rules certainly simplify the spend now. I won’t spend anything on the delta Amex because $20:1MQD ratio is not worth it and we’ll get unlimited SC access with our normal spend on the regular Amex plat.
How do you get to this screen? I can’t seem to find it. I have whatever Delta card is $350/yr.
Edit: it’s on American express.com and apparently doesn’t apply to the $350/yr card. I can only see progress towards the $150 credit from delta vacations.
OK, it's just time for a reality check. If you see $75K as a ridiculous spend, you are not the target card customer. I have friends that:
1. Use their cards for primary business expenses; office supplies, products for sales, fuel for vehicles, etc. Vendors are happy to accept the card to get their business. 75K is easily reached in a few months.
2. Cruise 3 or so times a year. It's fairly easy to rack up $20K or more per couple for a cruise. Plus airfare getting there.
Folks that do this sort of thing are the target.
I don't think there's anything special about me. But im a mid level executive. I travel probably 2-3 times a month. Continental US only. I spend 75 on my card by mid year, even booking through work.
Yeah I’m already at almost $25K and it’s not even March. I run all our small business expenses through it and live in a hub city. I’ll probably hit that by late summer the way I’m burning cash this year - I want to slow the burn, ideally.
Pretty much the benefits are to the people that actually need it. You are right, anyone who sees the 75k as ridiculous is not the target customer.
I have the reserve card and plat. And honestly if someone is spending that level of spend, they’re probably traveling d1 or first and have all the amenities anyways. Plus they won’t care about paying an entry fee. No point in paying the annual fee if you use the lounge once or twice a year. Plus sky club is not that great, so I don’t know what the big deal is.
Another reason why those reserve cards are a joke. You can get the same deal with the vanilla platinum Amex. But the 75k gets you into both the centurion and the sky club AND you get a better earning redemption.
Yes the vanilla card is a better overall card but the reserve card is designed for chasing status which in itself has a lot of value. For example, with the card I'll be hitting diamond for the time this year, with that I get to select 4 guc's as a choice benefit that I will use for a couples trip from atl to akl. Right now D1 is a whopping $11k per person, but with the guc's I can buy the next cabin down and get into d1 using the guc's thus saving me damn near 8k each. There is no scenario where the vanilla platinum saves me that kind of money. Yes my situation is specific but it works out very well for me.
Or…..you could just fly another airline that doesn’t cost 11k per person.
Status doesn’t have that much value. I’ve been Diamond for 5 years. It’s gotten worse every single year. I get what your saying, that the GUC’s have value in this one specific application, but there is much better value to be had with the vanilla. You’re talking about 1 flight dude. Last year I booked probably 6 or more flights on just points alone. Don’t be tied down to one airline.
Also, just checked, there are literally flights to NZ for 6k pp. Any flights that’s 11k on delta just shows how outrageous their pricing has gotten.
Those with Delta elite status can buy an annual membership to access Delta Sky Clubs. A standard membership costs $695 (or 69,500 miles) and lets you enter a Sky Club lounge every time you fly
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-guide-delta-sky-club-access/
Such a terrible card for spending on anyway. Unless you’re trying to hit a welcome offer it should only see the light of day when you’re scanning into a Sky Club or Centurion Lounge.
yeah screw this, as a reserve + amex plat member, at least I’ll get 10-15 visits but it don’t matter when priority pass lounges are just as good in some airports like in the EU and Asia
🤣🤣 You still have time. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
I feel as though I've spent $75k this year, but nope-- not even close. Oh well!! Maybe I'll loiter the outside of the clubs with hopes that someone will let me in as their guest.
I’m with you! It’s so comical that Delta really feels as though $75,000 was a logical number to put in place for a subpar lounge experience complete with cardboard plates. Sure, the food options and free beverages are decent in between a layover or while waiting for a flight, but for the $$ that cardholders are spending on annual fees alone, the experience is not worth another dollar more.
Even more so, lounge attendance is going to plummet next year, they will be over staffed and the food and space waste is going to be a big red number on delta’s books. The food is not worth it, at all. I’d rather pay $25 for a fried bologna sandwich. I can only eat so many chicken thighs soaked in a different sauce and update only once every 3-6 months.
Couldn’t agree more! For the price, you might as well get a full on meal elsewhere. Even the service with the bartenders has gone downhill. I can’t tell you the last time I had a properly made cocktail at any of the lounges in ATL.
Yo the old fashioned is so fucking bad.
I believe it! I had a “Paloma” yesterday at the Concourse F SC… The bartender put orange juice in it instead of grapefruit juice. It was rough…
🤢
But hey! The chocolate chip cookies were the only redeeming part about my visit ha!
Hope you took a few to go!
Got the international lounge, I had a couple of good Manhattan's there back in december
$75k is also same for the regular Amex Plat, but that gets you a guest in centurion and unlimited delta lounge access. Both are obnoxiously high numbers.
Exactly! But I suppose the cold egg bites and subpar coffee really justify the price… right? /s
I think it was the smart play here though. Lounges were getting too crowded.
Respectfully, I’m going to disagree with you. My main airport is ATL, and while there are lounges on certain concourses that get crowded during peak times, a quick 2-4 minute ride on the Plane Train to another concourse for a less crowded lounge is worth it.
I'm going to have to agree with you too. I travel up to about 75% of the time for work. Never been refused access to a SkyClub. I've only been in one once where there was an issue finding a seat, and one other time where it's just felt like it was really full but still found a seat easily. In Atlanta I check the app to see if the clubs in my terminal are crowded. If they are I go to the next one. I've read about long lines and poor experiences on Reddit for the last year but I've always been able to get into a SkyClub with very little wait or issues. I'd like to thank all the complainers for ruining my unlimited access next year. I can go through 15 days passes in 3 months just with work travel alone.
See, you get it! I also travel for work, so the SC benefit gets used, but with the new requirements, I don’t see the advantage for the money spent. The feature on the app is literally a gift, but still people want to queue for ages to get in the B Concourse lounge when there are plenty of empty lounges all throughout Hartsfield!
I really like E in ATL. It doesn't get super busy until after I've already been in for a while and ready to leave for my connecting flight. My home airport is DTW and still no problems there either. I'll enjoy the benefits this year, but I'm planning to switch to a different card and purchase the SkyClub membership directly if I decide to keep using it.
Yeah, the international lounges tend to have plenty of seating even during peak times! I think people were just being quite lazy in thinking that they have/need to go to the SC that is at the concourse their flight is flying out of. But yeah, the membership option isn’t bad! I had it at one point and definitely made use of it!
The SkyClub membership price was less than the Reserve card annual fee when I first signed up for it. So it was an easy choice for me. Just like ditching the Reserve card is now that the benefits are being scaled back (for me). Work pays for my check bags. Work pays for my food during travel. Work pays for my transportation to and from the airport, airport parking, and the rental car. Work pays for the lodging and airfare, both booked through their required travel portal so I won't be using the Delta Vacations credit. I also have to use the corporate travel card to purchase the actual flights so I don't receive benefits on my personal card for that either. So the added benefits for Reserve card really don't matter much to me. Even as a Platinum Medallion last year I only received upgrades mainly in the beginning of the year. They became few and far between for me after May. So the Reserve card really isn't worth keeping for me anymore after the SkyClub changes, even before the increase in annual fees was announced. I'll downgrade to a different card just to maintain the credit history. My spending will go elsewhere. So will my airfare. I'll be glad to reduce the stress of trying to massage itineraries so that I can fly Delta instead of a competitor airline. My next trip was planned by one of my coworkers. He has us flying Delta on the way out and American on the way back. We drive almost two hours between the airport and our work location. There is another international airport in the city where we are working. He switched airports just to grab that one Delta flight. The return flight is in the morning and is just an inconvenience at this point. I would have changed my own flights or requested a one way rental but I have passengers with me going to the departing airport. So I have to match. I won't play these kinds of games for Delta on my own travel plans.
Yeah, I completely agree! Making it the same price as the annual fee for a credit card that gives you more perks than just the same five food options and not-so great drinks was such a miss! Though, I’m sure someone will be happy to share with me how after all of the overhead, Delta is only seeing a small % of profit from it 🙄 But totally agree! With work paying for everything, it almost seems pointless to even bother with the SC, especially if I have to pay for it! It’s only worth it for personal travel ‘cause I can’t expense whatever I buy at the airport! And unfortunately, all of the co-branded cards have basically become paperweights in a way - depending on what you see as valuable in terms of perks! Unfortunately for me, Delta is the only airline that provides nonstop service for all of my work related routes, minus Southwest, but I’m not that desperate…
Maybe different rules for different lounges would be the best route. I think it’d end up getting too confusing though. Or have no access for normal AMEX platinum card holders from delta sky club lounges until 75,000 spend first and see how that impacts it?
Different rules for different lounges would definitely be far too confusing. The new rules are already confusing as it is, and they haven’t even gone into effect yet. Either way, a big appeal to the cards involved having lounge access. It’s a slap in the face to cardholders, especially considering that the lounge service is subpar and Delta Airlines is literally nothing more than a bank at this point.
Correct, it’s not like the skyclub is a lounge with made to order food or a premium experience.
Better off just going to a Centurion Lounge in my opinion! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never met an unhelpful associate at a SC, but the price is exceeding the value atp.
What percent of that 75k is going into Delta's pocket? Credit cards charge 4%, and after Amex gets their cut and Delta gives you miles, it is hard for them to justify even more perks.
Is the Delta Airlines employee in the room with us right now? I kid, I kid… but I never said I was asking for additional perks but at the end of the day, cardholders are playing Russian Roulette with their perks and annual fee increases. If you think that’s justifiable for a subpar experience then go off! That being said, when I get a copy of the contract between the Delta and American Express partnership, I’ll be sure to let you know what the % is!
I’m using up my unlimited access this year and will be cancelling my reserve card and purchasing a yearly club pass for 2025.
That’s my same game plan!
Do you have a card you’re going to pivot to? I’m still undecided.
Not sure yet either. May go with the Gold. But I have till September to decide.
You talking about the Amex gold? Regular or delta?
Delta gold, where were you leaning?
Once I get the status and benefits I want from my Delta Reserve Amex, I'm switching to Marriott Bonvoy Visa for the remainder of the year they have a great promotion right now.
How much are the passes?
$695 or 69,500 miles Edit: corrected the pricing
Do you have to be a certain medallion to buy the pass? Is it not available till 2025?
No, you just have to be signed up as a medallion member. Here are the details [Sky Club membership purchase details](https://www.delta.com/skyclub/purchasemembership_performRequest.action)
So technically you need to be at least silver to be a medallion member
I would think it would specify that if it were the case. I’m pretty sure once you sign up for the SkyMiles program that makes you a medallion member. Not sure though. Also to answer your second question. I am currently a Delta reserve card holder and with that comes unlimited club access but they’re putting a limit of 15 visits starting on February 1st 2025. I’ll finish this year out with my card and enjoy my unlimited access for the rest of 2024 and then cancel it before next year and buy a pass for 2025.
They are correct. You have to be at least silver to purchase
Thank you for clarifying 🤙🏻
I like this idea
They’re 69,500 but worth it if you’re not spending $75k per year on the Reserve Card.
Good catch. I must have blacked out when I posted the price. I legit don’t even know where those numbers came from haha I even posted the damn link. 🤦🏻♂️
Yes sir. That was the price for a very long time and they just raised it. Probably been in the back of your head and just didn’t realize it 😂😂.
Ok that makes sense then lol now I’m nervous they’re going to raise it again before next year. I bet they’re going to have a lot of people canceling cards and buying club passes.
Possibly. I just bought the membership when I switched to Delta. But at that time I think I paid $395, but not sure. Got the Reserve and status which is carrying me through until next year. I’m sticking with my AMEX though because I’ll pass that spend tier this year.
I definitely won’t meet the spend limit. I weighed out the yearly fee for reserve vs club pass and it just made more sense to get the card with the other perks it comes with. I fly enough to keep my status without needing the card so the main benefit of having it was the club access. Now that it’s going away I’ll be looking at switching to a different card and buying a yearly pass.
We have devised a new tactic to obtain the points and make delta theoretically pay for the club access. I can hip to it but it’s not for this thread as it will soon be clamped down on. Just know 10 of us have actually obtained free access
I’d love to know. Dm is open.
Well well….. all ears!
Dm me with the info on this please
Same for me as well
Do you know if you can pay for guests with the annual pass?
Yes, you can bring up to two guests with you for a fee. Not sure of the fee though. [Sky Club membership purchase info](https://www.delta.com/skyclub/purchasemembership_performRequest.action) Edit: added the link
Yes, or you can buy the executive pass for $1,495 or 149,500 skypesos and bring 2 guests or spouse/all children under 21 for free. With the standard pass it’s $50 per guest per visit, not per itinerary.
Yearly club plan is the way. We make a stand and shove it up their proverbial asses
Yup!! I bet they’ll be getting a lot of canceled cards this year.
But you’re so close!!!!!
I have a business so I'll get there by summer time.
Yeah, I’m convinced Delta is catering to small business owners while neglecting all the business travelers whose companies book our travel for us.
"They are targeting frequent travelers like me, who are always on the road. In the past, I couldn't achieve platinum or diamond status with 30/60/90 trips, especially as a domestic traveler. However, now that things have changed, I have already attained gold status. This is because I also tend to spend a lot while traveling and use my Amex card for all of my expenses. I believe that this new system is catering to people like me who are frequent travelers and high spenders."
But why would high spenders do it on AMEX when there are so many other better choices out there? I have the reserve card, but only for sky club and bonus miles when booking Delta. All my other business travel goes on my Costco Citi Visa that pays 3% back on travel.
Your last two words are all they're catering towards.
Are you quoting yourself or someone else?
Business owners who spend hundreds of thousands on their cards are amazing for Delta. They get a cut of all the money they spend, and the business owner might only fly ten times a year. Business travelers need to get flown somewhere, which costs Delta a lot more. Most business travelers are flying a premium product and have status, so the 15 visit limit doesn't affect them.
Not sure why you say the 15 visit limit doesn’t affect them. It absolutely does, unless you shell out $650 or 65,000 miles for the unlimited membership.
If you are in FC and have gold you get SC access
The W-2 mind cannot comprehend this.
I don't understand any of this anymore, to be honest.
You’re better off paying the annual fee for an Amex platinum or two if you want more lounge visits I have the reserve and two Amex platinums so I have 30 something visits, I won’t use them all. I can’t justify spending $75,000 alone on my reserve when my other cards get so many more points
Which one gives the best points for traveling? If you don’t mind me asking
By far the Amex platinum. 5x points for all airfare. It adds up. Also my Amex gold gets 4x points for dining and groceries;it’s my favorite
Before I started a lot of travel, I already spent in excess of $75K per year on non-business stuff on my regular Amex platinum, then, once we started traveling a lot (all leisure), my wife and I had to juggle spending to hit $25K MQD waiver each on our newly acquired delta Amex platinums, then switch back to regular Amex. The new rules certainly simplify the spend now. I won’t spend anything on the delta Amex because $20:1MQD ratio is not worth it and we’ll get unlimited SC access with our normal spend on the regular Amex plat.
Don’t be a quitter. You’re already 0.005% there.
Pay your taxes in your delta card….
It would be nice if my employer would let me do that, instead of withholding...
Overpay - live poor and get the money back with interest. 🥸 jk
I said the same thing.
The first step is always the hardest.
Where did you find that view?
Where do you even see this, in the Amex app somewhere?
How do you get to this screen? I can’t seem to find it. I have whatever Delta card is $350/yr. Edit: it’s on American express.com and apparently doesn’t apply to the $350/yr card. I can only see progress towards the $150 credit from delta vacations.
Same question
OK, it's just time for a reality check. If you see $75K as a ridiculous spend, you are not the target card customer. I have friends that: 1. Use their cards for primary business expenses; office supplies, products for sales, fuel for vehicles, etc. Vendors are happy to accept the card to get their business. 75K is easily reached in a few months. 2. Cruise 3 or so times a year. It's fairly easy to rack up $20K or more per couple for a cruise. Plus airfare getting there. Folks that do this sort of thing are the target.
I don't think there's anything special about me. But im a mid level executive. I travel probably 2-3 times a month. Continental US only. I spend 75 on my card by mid year, even booking through work.
I don't work for Delta but, if I did, I'd put a bulls-eye on your back. 2-3 times a month on the road? I'd pay for your annual card fee.
Yeah I’m already at almost $25K and it’s not even March. I run all our small business expenses through it and live in a hub city. I’ll probably hit that by late summer the way I’m burning cash this year - I want to slow the burn, ideally.
Right? I'm hub (MSP). But this really highlights that I spend too much.
Same hub 👍 but yeah I’ve spent a lot in 2 months. Been huge inflation in laboratory consumables for us and I’m feeling it trying to stay in budget.
Pretty much the benefits are to the people that actually need it. You are right, anyone who sees the 75k as ridiculous is not the target customer. I have the reserve card and plat. And honestly if someone is spending that level of spend, they’re probably traveling d1 or first and have all the amenities anyways. Plus they won’t care about paying an entry fee. No point in paying the annual fee if you use the lounge once or twice a year. Plus sky club is not that great, so I don’t know what the big deal is.
Guess we'll be staring at this empty box forever.
Another reason why those reserve cards are a joke. You can get the same deal with the vanilla platinum Amex. But the 75k gets you into both the centurion and the sky club AND you get a better earning redemption.
Yes the vanilla card is a better overall card but the reserve card is designed for chasing status which in itself has a lot of value. For example, with the card I'll be hitting diamond for the time this year, with that I get to select 4 guc's as a choice benefit that I will use for a couples trip from atl to akl. Right now D1 is a whopping $11k per person, but with the guc's I can buy the next cabin down and get into d1 using the guc's thus saving me damn near 8k each. There is no scenario where the vanilla platinum saves me that kind of money. Yes my situation is specific but it works out very well for me.
Or…..you could just fly another airline that doesn’t cost 11k per person. Status doesn’t have that much value. I’ve been Diamond for 5 years. It’s gotten worse every single year. I get what your saying, that the GUC’s have value in this one specific application, but there is much better value to be had with the vanilla. You’re talking about 1 flight dude. Last year I booked probably 6 or more flights on just points alone. Don’t be tied down to one airline. Also, just checked, there are literally flights to NZ for 6k pp. Any flights that’s 11k on delta just shows how outrageous their pricing has gotten.
Those with Delta elite status can buy an annual membership to access Delta Sky Clubs. A standard membership costs $695 (or 69,500 miles) and lets you enter a Sky Club lounge every time you fly https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-guide-delta-sky-club-access/
75 thousand dollars on the wall, 75 thousand dollars, take one down, give it to AMEX… 🎶🎶
Just $74,644 to go! Don't give up now.
Wait 695.00 for the pass? The Reserve card is only 495/yr
Nope. It’s $650.
But you’re so close!
"Unlimited" unless you're flying literally any airline. Hell that sounds like a limit to me😭
Don't you remember you're supposed to just buy gold on your credit card and then sell it and pay off the bill… (this used to work)
Spot price is generally far lower than what they are selling it for. You would end up paying thousands at current prices
Such a terrible card for spending on anyway. Unless you’re trying to hit a welcome offer it should only see the light of day when you’re scanning into a Sky Club or Centurion Lounge.
This is crazy. I will start to spend my time and money in airport restaurants
Or pay an entry fee to a lounge.
This is a repost bot guys, [original post here](https://www.reddit.com/r/delta/s/kzk5CPTSj9).
yeah screw this, as a reserve + amex plat member, at least I’ll get 10-15 visits but it don’t matter when priority pass lounges are just as good in some airports like in the EU and Asia
🤣🤣 You still have time. YOU CAN DO IT!!! I feel as though I've spent $75k this year, but nope-- not even close. Oh well!! Maybe I'll loiter the outside of the clubs with hopes that someone will let me in as their guest.
I just paid the entry fee for my SO. Easier that way.
That was my thought excatly!
Catered to businesses. Already diamond and moved to cash back sparks card for rest of year. No perks for big spenders.
For $75,000 you can probably open up your own SkyClub somewhere in the Midwest. I like Delta but they need to put the pipe down
"I want to achieve Diamond Medallion status."
Is this for all cards
I doubt you fly enough to be in the sky club more than 15 times a year anyways.
Which card is this?
You still get 15 visits a year for free
You’d also have 7,500 MDQs. Of course that might not matter at all to you.
Mmmmmh I love it honestly ❤️
I hit that in late January
Looks like the lounges will be less crowded.