If you have an American Express® card and are currently a member of an airline elite status program, keep an eye out for a targeted offer for Delta status match.
Targeted American Express cardholders will be given an exclusive opportunity to upgrade to Delta Air Lines’ Medallion Status. The special offer was emailed to eligible members with at least The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express EveryDay Preferred Card.
The offer allows you to have your status matched for three months and then have it extended depending on your qualifying activity during that trial period. But what makes Delta and Amex status match offer unique is:
As a Medallion Member, you’ll also enjoy the following perks:
See more status benefits here: https://www.delta.com/us/en/skymiles/medallion-program/medallion-benefits
NOTE: Diamond and Platinum Choice Benefits are only provided when the member has met the criteria to prolong their Delta elite membership.
1. Find out if you are eligible to participate in the Status Match Offer if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Alternatively, you can also go to this link to check if you are targeted.
You currently hold elite status with a qualifying airline, which you obtained by meeting the airline's specified requirements (complimentary status or status earned through a promotion does not qualify).
The qualifying airlines are:
You are able to present both 1) a valid, non-expired elite physical or digital membership card or credential with your name and expiration date on it and 2) a statement showing your earned elite status with an airline and the corresponding activity with that airline that enabled the status tier, with your name on it.
NOTE: For both materials, you may upload an image, screenshot of your app or computer screen, or other file formats as long as it clearly shows the required information, valid expiration date, your elite status level, and your name.
2. Submit your request by filling out the form and including a screenshot of your current status.
3. Once your request is approved, you will be automatically enrolled in the offer and matched to Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion Status based on your current elite status with another airline. Your complimentary Status Match will last until August 31, 2022. If your request is not approved, you’ll receive an email notifying you of Delta’s decision. Reviewing and approval of your status typically take 14 days after submission.
Starting on Aug 27, 2017, all of the Sapphire cards, the Chase Sapphire, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, are considered "one card." Obviously not literally one card, but if you look at the signup bonus and how it works, it's effective to one card similar to Citi's 24 month rule.
h/t to Doctor of Credit for posting a screenshot of the memo.
"Going forward, a customer may no longer have more than one Sapphire-branded credit card. For example, if a customer has Sapphire Preferred card, they are no longer eligible for a Sapphire Reserve card."
Moving forward, you can only have one Sapphire branded credit card at a time.
"While this change impacts all new and existing customers (including CPC clients), there is no impact to existing customers that have more than one Sapphire product. These customers may continue to retain their Sapphire products as usual."
Existing customers don't have to worry about changes to current Sapphire accounts; if you currently have more than one Sapphire, they won't get closed.
"If existing Sapphire customers wish to upgrade or downgrade their product, they may do so if eligible. However, no bonus points will be available with this upgrade or downgrade. The customer may call the number on the back of their card OR you may contact Banker Support with customers who are in the branch or already on the phone."
If you are an existing customer that has the Chase Sapphire Preferred and not the Reserve, you can upgrade to get the Preferred. Bonus points will not be given for product changes.
The final part of the memo states, "if an account is closed, a customer will not be eligible for any Sapphire-branded credit card if they have earned a card member bonus on a Sapphire-branded product within the last 24 months."
My interpretation is that if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve (signup Nov 2016)) and cancel it (Aug 2017), you'll have to wait 24 months before applying to another Sapphire card to receive a signup bonus (Nov 2018).
On the other hand, some people are interpreting the final part of the memo in a completely different way. If you get the bonus for a Sapphire card and close it in less than 24 months, you'll never receive another Sapphire bonus again. This interpretation seems extreme to me and would make sense to implement from a customer loyalty standpoint.
If you currently have the Preferred or the Reserve and you previously received a signup bonus within the past 24 months, you'll have to wait.
However, if the card is older than 24 months, you can product change the Sapphire to a Chase Freedom and apply for another Sapphire with a signup bonus. The main reason for this is:
1. You won't have a Sapphire card
2. You don't have a Sapphire signup bonus within 24 months
If you don't have any Sapphire cards or you're in the position to get one, you have a decision to make on which card to get next. Watch the video below to see a Preferred vs. Reserve overview:
Consider getting the Preferred if you can't break even from the Reserve's $550 annual fee. Both the Preferred and the Reserve are eligible to use transfer partners.
If you're looking for a premium keeper card, the Reserve is a good option because you receive a $300 travel credit, Priority Pass, and $100 Global Entry credit. Redeem points for travel at 1.5x using the Chase Travel Portal, or up to 2x with transfer partners.
There are a ton of factors to consider because everyone's spending habit is different. For me, I would get the Preferred because:
