Several Reasons Not to Carry a Delta Credit Card

I’m a newbie to
and I’m confused about my Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card, with which I’ve accumulated 74,000 SkyMiles. Yes, the card costs me an annual fee, but unlike the card you tout as best (Starwood Amex), the Delta card gives me a companion ticket annually, a yearly summary of expenditures, and I still get everything the Starwood card gives. Am I missing something? My objective is to reach elite status so I can enjoy First Class upgrades, airport lounges, etc. But it seems as though I’ll never get there—it’s taken me nearly three years to get the SkyMiles I have. (I’m not a frequent flyer.)

—Karen Thompson, Knoxville, TN

Here’s why I don’t recommend the Delta SkyMiles card. It locks you into redeeming miles on Delta and its partners, whereas the Starwood card gives you access to more than 30 mileage programs. Yes, you get a companion certificate, but it’s for economy class only. Delta miles are often worthless as the airline is notorious for having high upgradeable fares (often higher than just paying First Class outright!) Your card will not help you get to the airline’s Medallion elite status either. Delta’s low-tier elites seldom get “free” upgrades. In other words, Delta’s SkyMiles program and the card you’re carrying are not so lucrative. Given how infrequently you fly, you need the flexibility of another credit card with multiple options. –MB

Airfare Strategy Applies to Cruise Fares

In the July issue there was a valuable tip suggesting that travelers continue to check the price of First and Business Class tickets after purchase since fares can drop—and airlines will often refund the difference. My tip is that it is just as important to check cruise fares as the sailing date nears. I purchased tickets for two suites almost a year in advance. About two months before sailing I found the cruise line had lowered the fares 25%. My travel agent was able to get me a 25% refund on my Amex card. So it pays to book early to get the suite you want, and then check and recheck to make sure you get the best available fare.

– Ron Goldstein, Atlanta, GA

Important Air France Mileage Change

Air France’s new policy forbids double-point reward travel to “Ivory” Flying Blue Members (bottom-tier status) on First and Business Class tickets. Keep this in mind if you’re thinking of cashing in Amex points for an Air France ticket.

– L. Levine

This is a huge setback for ambitious mileage strategists. One of my favorite strategies has been to buy 200,000 Amex Membership Rewards points and transfer them into AF miles, which nets an “unrestricted” First Class seat at up to 75% off. (Memo to Air France: Stop reading First Class Flyer, please.) The strategy still works when restricted availability is open at a cost of only 100,000 miles.

Good news: I checked availability and discovered many First Class seats to Paris at the 100,000 mileage level (which anyone can take advantage of) from New York in March 2008; pretty good availability from Los Angeles Dec. 2007 through March 2008; and a steady supply from Montreal Nov. 2007 through Feb. 2008. I found single-seat availability good from Houston April through June 2008. –MB

100,000 Miles for Picking Up the Phone

Matthew, thanks for the great tip on the Amex Platinum card’s 100,000-point bonus last month. Because of your newsletter, I checked with American Express to see if I qualified for the promotion. To my delight, I am eligible. I simply need to renew my card and spend at least one dollar before the September deadline, and the points will show up on my account in January. I also found out that the Centurion Card has a similar upgrade benefit (50,000 bonus points). I am thrilled!

– Tonya L. McDonald, Memphis, TN

Great job Tonya! I told you that the 100,000-mile Amex promotion (for only $400) was only available to those who got the offer in the mail—and you didn’t settle for that. By taking the initiative you got in on one of the most lucrative mileage bonuses I can think of. –MB