Thread: AMEX Platinum vs Delta Reserve

In my opinion, yes. Much. Unless you are chained to a Delta hub.

The primary benefit of DL Reserve is access to the Delta SkyClub lounges. Platinum has this, PLUS US Air and American Airlines lounges.
The only perceivable benefit (to me) of DL Reserve over Platinum is the MQM bonus tiers and the first bag free benefit. Of course for the casual traveler the MQM bonus won't get you much (good for Silver Medallion status if you fly a few times a year and spend 30k on the card), and the first bag free. Of course the Platinum gives you a $200 airline fee credit, and that covers a few baggage fees.
With the Plat you also get status with three rental car companies, and the SPG hotel chain, and if you are a frequent international traveler they'll pay for your Global Entry pass.
For the same $ the Plat is a MUCH better deal for me.

Originally Posted by ooxs

Also you can request the Delta Platinum card for any additional use free, you can take a guest with you to the lounge (I took two) but with the platinum card you cannot without paying for the guest.

Platinum members CAN guest people into DL Skyclubs without paying additional, but only if all are flying on DL tickets the same day. It is the Priority Pass Select clubs that cost extra for guests, but the PP clubs aren't part of the DL Reserve card (nor are US Air or AA).

Originally Posted by ooxs

10000 MQM and 10000 Bonus miles = 20000 sign up bonus is an additional ticket.

That is not how MQM's work. An MQM (Medallion Qualification Mile; also known as an EQM, Elite Qual. Mile) is not redeemable at all, and only counts toward your frequent flyer status. For example, to reach Gold Medallion status you need 50k MQM's, which could normally be earned only by having your butt in a Delta seat for 50k miles. With the bonus MQM's earned with your card you would only need to have your butt in their seat for 40k miles, and the extra 10k are comped by the card. It is good for status boost; nothing else.

Agreed on the Platinum buddy pass. In order to get it you are buying a full fare, non-discounted ticket in F. The only time this makes sense is if you need to fly last minute, or if you have a huge business travel budget and want to take your wife (or whomever) along on a business trip. Otherwise it is generally more cost effective to purchase two discounted first class tickets. I believe you used to be able to use that benefit for full fare Y tickets as well, and domestic, but it has changed.

The solution I came up with to get the best of both worlds is this: I have a Platinum card and a Delta Gold card. I get all the benefits of the Platinum plus free baggage and a companion ticket (and a couple other perks) from the Gold, including double miles on all my Delta purchases, which is often several thousand dollars per year. Of course, most of the DL Gold perks you also get once you have Medallion status with them, so a lot of them I've got twice.