Comments on: Membership doesn’t have its privileges: Passenger dumps Delta after card confusion

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:15:27 +0000

I also had a surprise when using my companion certificate last month. I paid a high fare (although not ridiculously high when divided by 2 for the free ticket for my son) in a class eligible for a free upgrade with my Silver Medallion status on Delta. The airport agent told me that the flight had plenty of open seats in first class, amazingly, but that my ticket wasn’t eligible for an upgrade because of the companion certifiicate. I can understand not upgrading the “free” companion ticket, but the full fare (expensive) ticket that otherwise would be eligible should be allowed to upgrade.

By: Ron in Santa Monica

Ron in Santa Monica — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:42:54 +0000

I cancelled my AmEx (tied to HIlton) in July 07 after it sent me a replacement card (myinewas stolen in Spain) and, upon its receipt, I called to make sure it was validiated: I was assured it was and when I used it to try to pay my hotel bill, it was refused. AmEx wouldn’t talk with me from Spain. I was fortunate to have friends to loan me the money to continue my trip. By the way, AmEx also refused to cover any losses associated with that theft–camera, cell phone–or vandalism done to my rental–despite the insurance I bought through them. Yes — it was that kind of a trip! But they sure were fond of apologizing.

By: Lee Feinswog

Lee Feinswog — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:33:48 +0000

I, too, felt that frustration of trying to use the companion certificate. Finally I asked American Express if it had a free (no-fees) Delta card. It did, I got it, and I only use it to book Delta flights, nothing else. And I’m never beating my head against the wall trying to use that certificate.

By: larry bradley

larry bradley — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:28:00 +0000

Delta has also stopped giving double miles for groceries, gas, drug stores etc. I agree with “Sevenseat”, the Amex Hilton card has far better benefits with no annual fee. 6 points per dollar spent on groceries, gas, drug stores, etc and 3 points everywhere else. I just used those points for 3 nights at the Hilton owned Doubletree Suites at Times Square on new years eve. Cost for my suite had I paid was $3,694.17 with tax. My cost was ZERO. Unlike so called free airline tickets which add taxes and fees, the free hotel rooms are really free. Also the Starwood Card also issued by Amex earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent as they give you a 5000 mile bonus when you transfer 20,000 miles into any of 25 different airline programs, instead of just one. The cost is only $45 per year after a free first year. Since the miles are held by Starwood until they are transferred, they do not expire.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:02:31 +0000

I have this same card and used the certificate on a $250 fare from Sea-TPA. And I had a lap-baby. I got three down there and back for $250, even when you add the cost of the yearly fee on the CC I still think this is a deal. Sometimes it does work out in the consumer’s favor.

By: Jim Lamb

Jim Lamb — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:19:52 +0000

My Delta Platinum card has served me well.
At lease once a year for the past several
years I have travelled around the globe–Business
Class– on my points. While I have had to work
the schedule, I have made it pay. The card is worth
the $!

By: YouHaveTheWhiniestPeopleOnThisSite

YouHaveTheWhiniestPeopleOnThisSite — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:20:23 +0000

But it is entertaining.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:03:34 +0000

Some notes about “changing the affinity” of the card…
I have a Citi AAdvantage World Mastercard that I have had for years… as I no longer fly on American unless it is absolutely necessary, I asked Citi about changing it to another card type. They told me that their agreement with AA would not allow them to do that–that I would have to apply for another card, but that they could give me a “pre-approval” code to use…

And one other–I have an AmEx Blue Cash card that I actually thought about converting to one of the Skymiles Elite cards (I’m glad now that I didn’t, since Delta has pulled out of my home airport)… AmEx told me that I could do it, but I wouldn’t get any of the bonuses, because it wasn’t a “new card” account–just a transfer, but YMMV.

By: Sevenseat

Sevenseat — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:00:03 +0000

I have to agree with Stewart. Don’t cancel the card, just change the affinity to one that has a much lower annual fee. Personally, I like the HHonors card, as I find the hotel points much easier to use than airline miles.

By: Stewart Sheinfeld

Stewart Sheinfeld — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:58:58 +0000

just a suggestion to the original poster Don’t cancel your card in todays credit market it could be hard to repalce and could affect your credit rating. Ask AMEX to change you to a different card they offer that has a lower or no fee such as STawood AMEX they will give you a sign up bonus and you can convert the Starpoints to Skymiles at a great exchange rate

By: Jasper

Jasper — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:05:51 +0000

Paying $134 a year for a card is a sign that your being scammed. There are plenty of credit cards that give you way better benefits than airmiles. And they are free.

By: J. C.

J. C. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:29:29 +0000

I don’t think companion tickets are a scam as much as they are filled with restrictions and limited seats at the cheaper prices. Most certificates require you to call an agent for a price and reservation and go to a ticket office or airport desk to be ticketed. So they will not give you a web or promotional price which will be cheaper.

Carver is correct in that this is industry wide — And a web fare is just that, web only. Delta is not alone in this.

If the only reason you got the platinum AMX card was for the companion ticket, then this one may not be worth it for you, although you said there were no problems in the past.

Airline cards can be a good source of miles, so if this is your first problem with the Delta card you might want to reconsider.

Bottom line. Do what benifits you the most.

By: Carver

Carver — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:02:12 +0000

I wouldn’t advise Jordan to necessarily cancel the card. The problem isn’t so much with Delta as its an industry wide problem. The very concept of a companion ticket for leisure travel is itself a sham, regardless of the travel provider. Leisure travelers are directed towards highly discounted but highly restricted tickets. Its fairly rare for a leisure traveler to purchase a domestic ticket above $500 (before taxes and fees). Yet companion tickets are for less restricted tickets which often cost alot more than the regular leisure traveler is accustommed to paying.

The airline industry would do well to explain these difference better.

By: Leah Ingram

Leah Ingram — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:26:05 +0000

This is the least of Amex’s worries:

http://suddenlyfrugal.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/be-careful-where-you-shop-on-credit/

Leah