rcpratt
Lifer
- Jul 2, 2009
- 10,433
- 110
- 116
Spent some time thinking about this and I think we'll probably keep the CSR, even though the new perks don't do a whole lot for us.
The biggest factor for us is the $300 travel credit and PriorityPass lounge access. Even though you can theoretically get more in credits with the Amex Platinum, they're going to be really hard for us to earn. We never really pay any kind of airline fee, don't take an Uber ride every month, and I don't need my wife starting to shop at Saks. Although Amex has PriorityPass too, the fact that they don't have the restaurant portion of PriorityPass is a big hit for us. One of the airports we travel to ~3x/year has a PriorityPass restaurant and we get a lot of value out of it. Plus, we'll still get the 1.5x points value and the synergy from our Freedom cards.
Thought briefly about the Amex Delta Reserve, but the perks of that card just do not justify the cost. The companion ticket is nice, but I get one with my Amex Delta Platinum, and I don't ever fly 1st class so a 1st class companion ticket does nothing for me. I find the fact that only ONE person can access the SkyClub/Centurion lounges to be an absolute joke...I'm almost always traveling with my family, and if they can't all join (or I have to pay) there's not much point. Same issue with the Amex Platinum SkyClub/Centurion access.
I wanted to open a 3rd Delta Amex Platinum with the recent benefits overhaul and the good signup bonuses that are currently available, but I guess I've applied for too many cards recently because I'm DQ'd from the welcome bonus. Wonder how long it will take to be eligible again.
The biggest factor for us is the $300 travel credit and PriorityPass lounge access. Even though you can theoretically get more in credits with the Amex Platinum, they're going to be really hard for us to earn. We never really pay any kind of airline fee, don't take an Uber ride every month, and I don't need my wife starting to shop at Saks. Although Amex has PriorityPass too, the fact that they don't have the restaurant portion of PriorityPass is a big hit for us. One of the airports we travel to ~3x/year has a PriorityPass restaurant and we get a lot of value out of it. Plus, we'll still get the 1.5x points value and the synergy from our Freedom cards.
Thought briefly about the Amex Delta Reserve, but the perks of that card just do not justify the cost. The companion ticket is nice, but I get one with my Amex Delta Platinum, and I don't ever fly 1st class so a 1st class companion ticket does nothing for me. I find the fact that only ONE person can access the SkyClub/Centurion lounges to be an absolute joke...I'm almost always traveling with my family, and if they can't all join (or I have to pay) there's not much point. Same issue with the Amex Platinum SkyClub/Centurion access.
I wanted to open a 3rd Delta Amex Platinum with the recent benefits overhaul and the good signup bonuses that are currently available, but I guess I've applied for too many cards recently because I'm DQ'd from the welcome bonus. Wonder how long it will take to be eligible again.