Which Delta card is best? | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep242 | 2-16-24

02/16/24 • 82 min

In this episode, Greg gives Nick a lesson in which Delta credit cards are best (and which are best for a smattering of different goals.) His ultimate conclusion might surprise you.

(While Greg schools Nick on this topic, you may notice that Nick's audio is a little subpar. We apologize for this and we're troubleshooting that for next episode.)

(01:25) Cheryl is back! (Mail Bag)

(02:40) Whitney has a question about our "Mastering Avios" episode 241 (Mail Bag) Read our Mastering Avios Episode 241 post here...

(09:20) Greg gives an AA Executive card update (Card Talk) Find the American Airlines Executive Card episode here... Learn all about the AA Executive Card here...

(17:10) T-Mobile Magenta status is mostly a nothingburger (Crazy Thing) Read our post on the T-Mobile Magenta status here...

(24:05) Turkish devaluation is real (Award Talk)

(26:26) Nick talks about his AA elite status mad dash (Award Talk) Read about Nick's mad dash to AA elite status here...

(29:13) Greg talks about his Alaska match (Award Talk)

(31:58) Greg talks about his experience booking JetBlue Mint to London (Award Talk) Read more about Greg's JetBlue Mint experience here...

(40:19) Which Delta Card is Best? (Main Event)

(40:31) Overview of Delta cards

(40:38) You might remember our episode on Delta's Big Flip-Flop | Ep225 | 10-21-23 Find the Delta's Big Flip-Flop | Ep225 here...

(41:11) Delta Gold Card OverviewFind out more about the Delta Gold Card here...

(41:49) Delta Platinum Card Overview Find out more about the Delta Platinum Card here...

(43:21) Delta Reserve Card Find out more about the Delta Reserve Card here...

(47:23) Coupons: Are any Delta cards free after rebate? Best card depends on what you value...

(00:58:56) If you value Delta miles... Find out more about the Amex Blue Business Plus card here...

(01:03:32) If you value free checked bags...

(01:04:08) If you value the companion ticket...

(01:04:54) If you value elite status...

(01:08:43) If you value Sky Club access...

(01:14:17) Conclusion: The best Delta card may not be actually even be a Delta card... Find Greg's post about which premium cards he's keeping and which he's canceling here...

(01:15:30) “What happens if you apply for a credit card and then immediately after the offer increases? ” (Question of the Week)

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In this episode, Greg gives Nick a lesson in which Delta credit cards are best (and which are best for a smattering of different goals.) His ultimate conclusion might surprise you.

(While Greg schools Nick on this topic, you may notice that Nick's audio is a little subpar. We apologize for this and we're troubleshooting that for next episode.)

(01:25) Cheryl is back! (Mail Bag)

(02:40) Whitney has a question about our "Mastering Avios" episode 241 (Mail Bag) Read our Mastering Avios Episode 241 post here...

(09:20) Greg gives an AA Executive card update (Card Talk) Find the American Airlines Executive Card episode here... Learn all about the AA Executive Card here...

(17:10) T-Mobile Magenta status is mostly a nothingburger (Crazy Thing) Read our post on the T-Mobile Magenta status here...

(24:05) Turkish devaluation is real (Award Talk)

(26:26) Nick talks about his AA elite status mad dash (Award Talk) Read about Nick's mad dash to AA elite status here...

(29:13) Greg talks about his Alaska match (Award Talk)

(31:58) Greg talks about his experience booking JetBlue Mint to London (Award Talk) Read more about Greg's JetBlue Mint experience here...

(40:19) Which Delta Card is Best? (Main Event)

(40:31) Overview of Delta cards

(40:38) You might remember our episode on Delta's Big Flip-Flop | Ep225 | 10-21-23 Find the Delta's Big Flip-Flop | Ep225 here...

(41:11) Delta Gold Card OverviewFind out more about the Delta Gold Card here...

(41:49) Delta Platinum Card Overview Find out more about the Delta Platinum Card here...

(43:21) Delta Reserve Card Find out more about the Delta Reserve Card here...

(47:23) Coupons: Are any Delta cards free after rebate? Best card depends on what you value...

(00:58:56) If you value Delta miles... Find out more about the Amex Blue Business Plus card here...

(01:03:32) If you value free checked bags...

(01:04:08) If you value the companion ticket...

(01:04:54) If you value elite status...

(01:08:43) If you value Sky Club access...

(01:14:17) Conclusion: The best Delta card may not be actually even be a Delta card... Find Greg's post about which premium cards he's keeping and which he's canceling here...

(01:15:30) “What happens if you apply for a credit card and then immediately after the offer increases? ” (Question of the Week)

Previous Episode

Mastering Avios | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep241 | 2-10-24

Avios is the rewards currency for British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, Qatar, and soon Finnair. This means it's worth some attention. On this week's episode, we discuss how you can earn, use, and maximize this reward currency.

Here are some of the topics you'll find in the episode...

(01:41) Player Two chimes in (Mailbag)

(03:37) Chase British Airways Visa Signature® Card (Card Talk)

Learn more about this card: https://frequentmiler.com/ba/

(09:30) Turkish award search shows random non-partner flights (Crazy Thing)

(13:30) Best Western: Stay Twice & Earn Free Night Voucher (Mattress Running the Numbers)

(17:37) Turkish devalues (Award Talk)

(22:03) SLH ditches Hyatt for Hilton (Award Talk)

(26:10) Bilt announces milestone rewards (Award Talk)

(31:50) Referral points don’t count towards Bilt status, h/t Chris from All the Hacks (Award Talk)

(32:58) Mastering Avios, the rewards currency for BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, Qatar, and (soon) Finnair (Main Event)

Read all about Avios here: https://frequentmiler.com/complete-guide-to-avios-british-airways-iberia-and-aer-lingus/

(33:22) Earning Avios (34:30) Moving Avios between programs

(40:52) BA Household Accounts

(42:40) Using Avios

Read more about using Avios with Jet Blue: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-mint-to-the-caribbean-for-26000-avios-where-and-how-to-find-it/

(01:03:37) How do you plan acitivites? (Question of the Week)

Next Episode

5 free Marriott nights | Coffee Break Ep01 | 2-20-24

We love talking about points and miles all day, every day. That's why we've decided - in addition to our full-length Frequent Miler on the Air podcast episodes, we're going to share a little something to enjoy during your Tuesday coffee break too. Not a full hour of discussion and analysis like you'll find on the full episodes, but a mini version with a single topic of focus.

On this "Coffee Break" mini episode, Greg and Nick chat about a pair of Marriott offers for 5, 50K free night certs (and who this opportunity may be good for.)

(02:24) - The consumer card has a lower spend requirement...but does that mean it's the better option?

Check out the Marriott consumer card here, and the Marriott business card here.

(03:26) - What is the Marriott "matrix of doom" and why are business cards easier for navigating the matrix? (Read this post to find out which Marriott cards you're eligible for.)

(06:13) - The business card is the only option for stacking.

(06:36) - Is this a good offer (regardless of whether you get the business or consumer version?)

(08:38) - What are the drawbacks of free night certs?

(10:50) - How does using a cert impact the fifth night free benefit?

(14:23) - Let's review...is this a smokin' hot deal for everyone?

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Music Credit - Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads