💳 Sebby's Card Picks: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards

The fact the "extras/benefits" are now behind 5 figure spend walls should alienate a ton of people. They literally made these dead cards to me.

We have the personal Platinum cards. Credits are a turn-off; zero interest in chasing coupons. We don’t ride-share monthly, we book hotels direct for better rates and discounts, and the Resy restaurants in both cities where have homes are either mediocre chains or not places we eat. As long as they don’t muck up the companion certificate, the value prop is still there for us, but they are on a watch list.

🔺 I was going to downgrade my Delta Reserve to Delta Platinum or Delta Gold, but now I’m going to keep it. I think I can make all the new credits work around 50% of listed value. The big bonus for me is being able to use the “enhanced” companion certificate for FC to Hawaii.

Re the Resy credit, I’m not sure that you actually need to make reservation to get the credit. You just need to go to a resy restaurant. We went to a dinner yesterday at a resy restaurant without a reservation and I tipped a bit extra to have the bill divided up between my delta biz plat, delta plat, and my marriott brilliant card. A bit nutty, but I wanted my credits! I will advise if I don’t get my credits.

We go to Mexico for spring break every year. Tickets are insane. I am glad for the change and may get another platinum so we can use the companion ticket for each kid. 🔺

🔺Sebby in 2030: "who cares if the annual fee is $10,000? I'm getting $11,000 in value"

🔺id consider this a nerf. CC issuers raising their AF's in exhanges for credits temind me of thode entertainment books that you would buy from kids fundtaising for yheir school. The order of these cards in terms of value is probably Palt, Reserve, Gold, although none of these are on my radar since i almost never fly delta. Additionally, I would hate Chase to take a page from this playbook. Couponing just restricts consumers from spending the way they'd want to spend. While the chase cards may look marginally pricier, I'm not chasing coupons. Especially since most of these are monthly credits. Sometimes being simple is great.

Sebby, I will love to see a video on how much you and Mandy pay in annual fees.

These are great improvements for people who actually frequently travel via Delta flights, which is who these cards were always supposed to be for. These improvements are also good for Amex because it will get cardholders using the card more frequently and should reduce the number of SUB churners getting cards they never intend to use or keep.

🔺I've also heard that with both the Delta Platinum and Reserve that you get 2500 MQDs so if you have both you get automatic silver status. If you can use all the credits and certificates for each card, getting automatic airline status sounds pretty good to me!

It should be concerning that all these credit card KZfaqrs are sucking off and praising AMEX for these changes. More coupon book benefits is NOT good regardless of the “value”.

Something to think about. I had a trip booked already for 2 nights in Toledo. I went through Stays and tried to book the same room. It was $45/night more through Stays. So 2 nights, $150 stays credit, I really only save $50 in the end. Still $50, but not really as good as it sounds. I will check a few more though.

🔺 I like the Delta reserve card because of the first class companion certificate and the Delta sky club… I will definitely use the rideshare and the Resy… 🎉

🔺Something super important that wasn’t mentioned: Platinum and Reserve cards have HUGE benefits for people seeking Delta status!

🔺I feel like no one is talking about the fact that if you have two of the higher tier cards you can now buy silver status $900 with the platinum and Reserve. No other airline can you simply buy a status with just the annual fee of credit cards like a hotel status.

Enjoy the positive attitude about the card. Might come down to for me whether or not I wanna get another year for NEXT YEAR after my Southwest Companion Pass expires

I was surprised you didn't mention the 1st Class companion fare benefit for the Reserve now being extended to all states, Canada, Caribbean, and south of the border. Big plus for me.

I'm essentially out with Amex. The coupon book expands and the non coupon benefits decrease while annual feels keep going up. Chase has such a better product line for those not in SFO or NYC.

I just got the first delta stays credit. The new changes are very good, to me it's a keeper card now.

🔺I recently shifted to nearly all Delta flying the past 2 years. I was already considering getting both Reserve + Biz reserve to get the $5k MQD boost. I shouldn't have a problem reaching platinum status that way. With the new credits and probably better options for the companion cert, I think it's going to be a no brainer.

I feel Chase Sapphire Reserve is superior and more flexible. I dislike too much of a grab bag approach to perks or the requirement that you use their specific travel portal to get a credit. And many of the benefits are broken up to monthly amounts so you might not benefit fully. Overall the annual fee creep is getting a bit out of control. The more complicated and niche they make the benefits, the less likely card holders will remember them all and take full advantage. And I think that's what they are counting on. As others have noted, it feeling more like a hodge podge coupon book.

I really like the new changes I have the Delta reserve and I only travel on Delta 2 or 3 times a year but a first class ticket to places on east coast, Alaska or Haewaii is more than worth it. There are some great Ressy restaurants in SF Bay area, 200 can almost pay for a night in some areas and the Uber I can definitely use. You for gor to mention the 250 MQ D which takes you half way to silver or beyond. I will never use this card beyond the credits, Delta spend or offers

Nobody is talking about how they nerfed Reserve status and upgrades. It used to be a plus 1/2 a step. Pecking order for upgrades, Diamond w/ Reserve, Diamonds, Plats with Reserve, Plats, Golds with Reserve, Golds, etc. Now it's just a simple if you don't have status, you'll get on the list above no status peeps - which practically makes it worthless.

🔺 also @Sebby, you used the Delta Business Gold “slide” when talking about the Delta Business Platinum 😊 It has the correct data, but the title is wrong.

I have Delta Reserve, but my travel habbits are slowly changing that I don't see the need for it in the near future. I think I just am keeping the card because of a high credit limit which help with overall utilization and thereby my credit score. Thank you, though, for giving me a better perspective. My initial reaction is just to outright cancel the card when my renewal date looms closer.

I like the fact that I’m already able to access the additional benefits on my Delta Reserve Business card yet, my annual fee hit this week and it was still the $550 annual fee, so I’m essentially getting a years worth of all of the upgrades for free. That’s nice. I’m especially excited about the companion certificate - and the ability to go to new locations. My hope is to surprise my wife with a trip sometime soon.

I’m still downgrading to gold or lower. Even if the changes are mathematically worth it, I’m not happy about any changes at this point. I know I’m knew to the system, but there are only so much change in the first year I’m willing to put up with.

Regarding your view of Walmart+, you live in a big urban area. It doesn't make sense for you to drive. I live in a small town in west Texas with poor public transport. We have Uber and Lyft, but prefer to drive. We use the Walmart+ member's discount for 10¢ / gallon off of what is already usually the cheapest gas in town. We wouldn't get the membership if Amex didn't credit it, but we do get use out of it. I figure we save about $5 a month on gas (we're retired and don't have to tank up often), and the subscription is more than that.

The Delta Stays credit alone is easy enough to use, and the value is greater than the increase in AF. Resy in LA tends to do better, nicer restaurants many of which we already love and so that's an easy one to get value from. I use rideshare at least twice a month for my work trips. And the expanded companion pass is a win. Effective AF for me is well below zero even without having to use all the credits every month. No brainer to keep cards as long as this is the structure.

I got the delta platinum card 6 months ago before any major changes took place. Since then they have removed lounge access entirely, have increased the annual fee, and have added credits that don’t cater towards my personal needs/wants. I think the resy and rideshare credits don’t make much sense if you don’t live in a larger city, and I would have to go out of my way to spend much more than I usually would to get $10 worth of value every month. To me, that’s an immediate no. The enhanced companion certificate is enticing, and I like that you can now use it to travel outside of the contiguous US, but you’re still limited to certain fare classes which in reality still limits this benefit. I think I’ll keep it around for another year to see if I can get some value out of the companion certificate, but I’ll get rid of it if I don’t.

On vacation right when the new changes just hit. We booked using delta stays for 2 nights and got the credit the following day. It wasn't hard at all. The only detractor with these sites is if you have status... it won't help... not that it helped much in the first place. We are going to keep the card one more year and see... 😅 The only other point to mention is now with the delta platinum; you get put on the upgrade list after everyone with status. 😂

🔺️ I may be in the minority, but these changes actually work really well for me. The value of the Platinum & Reserve cash-wise still comes down to using the companion certificate. The expanded options provide more flexibility, as long as I can actually use it. If one travels enough to justify any Delta card over Blue then you're going to need hotels. I usually use Delta Stays to book hotels anyway, (you don't need to be flying to use), and 1-2 nights will take care of the credit. Eliminates the AF increase + $50. Easy to do as a one-and-done, so I don't consider it "coupon book" like the rideshare & Resy credits, which I'll seldom if ever use. The multipliers on the business side are nice, though not a big part of our business spend. Will keep the card for now, but if I can't utilize the companion certificates then I'll consider other options.

You say that the Platinum may be the better buy, but isn’t the reserves spend a lot easier to hit?

Ok - you convinced me to check out the Delta Stays. I cancelled a 24k Hyatt stay on a college tour for my kiddo and booked through the Delta site. $283 - $250 Biz Reserve credit = $38 and I keep 24k Hyatt points. Plus there’s probably some delta mile and delta mqd coming.

🔺I like the new credits, especially the Delta Stay one. It's a bigger credit than the $50 Chase hotel credit from the Chase Sapphire Preferred but just as easy to use. And it doesn't have a $500 minimum spend like the $100 Citi Premier Card hotel credit. Essentially, it’s like a limited free night certificate. If you can find a room for $150 or $200 at off peak times, then it's free. Not bad.

Another great video about cards, Sebby!😊

Testing out the platinum for the year. I think the sign on offer is 100% worth it for the first year. Companion certificate seems it will pay for itself in future years, so for Delta being my airline of choice, I think I’ll come out ahead.

I literally downgraded my Delta card to Blue a couple of days prior to this release, since I live in DFW and Delta is hard to come by. Thank god I did. Once this happens to the regular AMEX cards, you best believe I am out. I just applied for my Chase Sapphire Preferred card a couple of days ago and I think I will slowly work my way over to Chase. Going to use all the AMEX points up and then I think I am out.

The Resy credits are pretty good. You don’t have to use rest- just use the card at a restaurant on it. The expanded eligibility for the companion pass is good, but the rest of the changes are pretty mediocre

Job well done explaining Delta SkyMiles AMEX Cards changes!!

🔺️ makes the business gold basically no AF if u can find a stay somewhere for $150. Keeper for me I guess.

Yo Sebby, Great breakdown of the Delta 2024 changes. Delta is my preferred airline since I'm close to a Delta hub. Will probably be downgrading to Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card in April when renewal is due...🔺take care... looking forward to more luxury travel be vlogs/ reviews this year...💪👊🤑

I have the Delta Plat and 2 Delta Reserve cards. All personal. I can find some value in the credits. I have used a three companion certificates for the two years I have had the cards. Always get value from those.

They limited the times you can enter the sky clubs for the reserve card. Makes no sense since it cost the most.

With the devaluation of Skymiles and an increase in AF I cancelled my Delta Skymiles Gold. These were good changes because it got me off the fence on that card. It’s not targeted towards me. YMMV

Clarifying that the Delta Platinum companion certificate is once *per year* so it can easily be justified as a keeper card if you use the pass each year.

You didn’t mention anything about the status boost updates. Why not?

Since I do a trip to the Caribbean once a year, having the companion pass on the Platinum is helpful. Hopefully one day I'll run into Daddy Sebby.

Great changes. Was planning to cancel my Delta platinum but now keeping it due to the new credits.

I'm a corporate traveler so my work pays for all my flights. Got my Reserve so I'll be good, some of the credits plus the MQD Boosy and Headstart pay for the card. Looking forward to flying the family 1st class when I get enough points.

I only got it because of the upgrades and helping with MQD… but then the autborized user is worthless for $175…

I’ve already used the delta stay credit. My Delta Reserve annual fee doesn’t hit until December. I’m going to use the one time $100 delta credit soon.

🔺This is a win for Delta flyers. If you carry both business and personal reserve you enjoy silver medallion up front as a head start and an effective 10% MQD cash back.

I’m not a fan of airline travel credit cards but I appreciate the information you’re providing. Maybe I will change my mind one day. I normally book all my flights with my personal and business platinum charge cards. Keep up the good work. 👍🏿✌️

The platinum they upped the fee and they took away the sky club access. I fly about 10 times a year. I do drink so and also I can get reimbursed for a meal for the $50 that it cost to go into the lounge. Now that perk is gone. I don’t think I’ll be keeping the platinum card. If I’m gonna pay 650 for the purple one I might as well just get the American Express platinum right I think.

Does the rideshare credit work with Uber Eats?

🔺One thing you did not mention that the Platinum and Reserve cards have a $2500 MQD boost. That bonus is stackable! Because of an elevated business sing-up offer and three separate upgrade offers last year, I am sitting on both the Delta Platinum personal and business cards. I had planned on cancelling the business and downgrading the personal. I just noticed that $5000 MQD hit my Skymiles account giving me Silver Medallion status through 2025 with no spend! Silver Medallion is not worth keeping the cards but an interesting data point. Fingers crossed Amex does not claw back the MQDs when I close/downgrade the accounts. Unfortunately, the annual fees for both of my accounts hit in May. I was going to cancel the business card this month but I guess I will hold off another month so I can use the Delta Stay credit.

@asksebby I don't think you mentioned the expanded benefits for the companion pass of each platinum and reserve cards (no longer restricted to the 48 states but now includes Hawaii and Alaska, Central America, etc). Reserve also allows a premium select option for your companion. Otherwise great video ! Thank you

🔺 the blue card sounds better now! Which works well for an upgrade strategy. But overall the reserve sounds like the best. Wondering if the Brilliant card will keep its dining credit the same

We’re angry because status with Delta Reserve is no longer viable…

W Sebby Sunday Afternoon uploads

I don't have to pay the new af until next year on my Platinum so I'll make my decision about keeping the card then but as long as I can get great value out of the companion pass its a keeper card for me

I don’t know who wants the coupon books. I don’t. I want perks with less effort, not more. Amex has been trashing their best cards one by one with every update chasing partner deals and coupons over what frequent travelers actually want.

Gotta give Sebby props. Regardless of whatever changes Amex or Chase makes, you can always spin it positive. Unlike what you do with other issuers.

🔺️ Thank you for this analysis. I got my wife to downgrade her Gold to Blue yesterday, but now I will get her to get the Gold again. I have Platinum and I was initially interested in getting a business Platinum or personal Reserve for Silver Medallion status points , but with the fee increase was turned off. After your analysis I am interested again. Not sure which one.

🔺 1.) I product changed my Reserve to Delta Blue 2.) Reserve, Gold, Platinum 3.) Didn’t think it was a positive change. I will putting my effort into C1 miles/points.

Great info! Thanks again🔺

Thank you, Don't we also get possible upgrades with the Platinum now?

🔺 1. the Gold should have the companion ticket , 2. monthly credits should be quarterly , I’ve used it at carbone in Vegas a couple of years ago, I really wish I could product change I have never received a limit increase with this card so it’s useless but it’s my oldest card

I expect we’ll be seeing an $800-900 card from Amex soon, either the Platinum or Bonvoy Brilliant.

Hi! I’m 30 years old and I have 25 accounts (car , home, cards.) w/ 800 credit score. My question to you, is having too many accounts a bad thing? Should I cancel some? I know the negative consequences of cancelling cards but should I reset in a sense? Would love a video on it :)

It's good to have the Delta gold if you fly basic economy a lot

They added hertz presidents circle to the reserve as well. Maybe you covered this in a newer video

The platinum has no lounge access now you cannot pay $50 it’s not even an option

can you do a video about how to actually go about asking for a retention offer? like are there any tips/tricks to getting a good offer? anything to stay away from when you call?

🔺- surprised you didn't talk about the MQD multiplier and the head start.

Sebby, If someone is a Delta Sky Miles Member and earn 5x miles, do they get the additional 2-3x miles from the cobranded AMEX credit cards? In other words, do the miles "stack?" Could someone with Diamond Status and a Reserve Card earn 14x miles?

🔺I don't know that these changes are a big deal to me. I always felt like the calculus around the Delta Platinum and Reserve was with the companion pass. If you could use it effectively, they were great cards. Otherwise, they're only so-so.

Woah. It’s been at least a year since I watched you and your voice has improved drastically. You literally sound different 😂

I've always been able to find value in this card when the spending requirements were 60k. To get platinum now I'm not sure the BOGO certificate has been worth the annual fee I'm seeing if I can use it and go from there the ride credits shouldn't be too hard but we'll see resy might require a little bit of work while traveling

Hi. If you don't have any of these, which Amex do you suggest? ♦️

🔻I have a platinum delta AMEX and just was accepted for the Reserve, for which I receive welcome bonus of 100,000 miles. With the $650 annual fee, is the mileage bonus of 100K worth the fee?

🔺Thank you for the explanation - I like the changed better now that I understand them.

Downgraded the platinum to blue

🔺I always value your perspective, Sebby. Thank you

🔺️ Im new to delta, do this was a good video Im more looking for the companion fare, and ride share offset the cost Im looking more towards the Reserve, but im investigating the platinum.

🔺Thanks for the breakdown.

🔺I think I would get the platinum. Sounds decent.

There are only 2 restaurants near me on Resy.

Sebby, the new Rolex wearing, private jet flying, black tee rocking, 5-star hotel resident, credit card aficionado. *Ric Flair voice* WOO!

can the $120 ride share credit be used for UBER EATS? I live in an area where rideshare isn't something I use..

Hey Sebby, what about 'lounge' access?

@asksebby does the monthly $10 resy credit only work on reservations that require prepayment? Thanks!

@AskSebby you should def do more videos on U.S Bank cards they have been treating me good might consider the reserve card with them! Thoughts?

Can i get some opinions. I fly out of delta primarily every month for work. Do yall think i should get the gold card get the bonus, downgrade to blue, get the plat get the bonus and rinse and repeat and keep the delta reserve?

3500 mqd boost, useful credits, and it scared a bunch away? Yeah I’m good, less crowded lounges and my status will mean something again

Hi Sebby. Thanks for the info. So last night when I was trying to check out my delta flight from NY to london, I noticed that on the payment screen there is a dummy offer for the delta gold card with 50k miles + $400 flight statement credit, which makes me want to apply for it. Do you think this is a good offer? I am not a loyal customer for any airlien company and I don't fly that often, maybe about 2 times a year for travel. I'm thinking to get the offer and downgrade to delta blue if no retention offer

Downgrading my delta gold fs

🔺I'm really over these "monthly" credits, if they were semi-annual or quarterly its at least worth some consideration. But Monthly makes it feel like an active chore to find some reason to use it every month.