Delta Reserve Amex. Any experience using the companion pass?

[GrayFal]

Delta Reserve offers the following perk.

“
DELTA RESERVE ANNUAL COMPANION CERTIFICATE
Receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.‡11Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details”

Has anyone had any experience or luck booking this perk?
Is it done online?
Is it very restrictive.
I would be using it for a first class ticket.

 

[andysnovel]

Delta Reserve offers the following perk.

“
DELTA RESERVE ANNUAL COMPANION CERTIFICATE
Receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.‡11Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details”

Has anyone had any experience or luck booking this perk?
Is it done online?
Is it very restrictive.
I would be using it for a first class ticket.

Very easy to use for my Delta A/E Plat. Companion fare, book online using companion certificate, worked for every flight I wanted to use it for, around Thanksgiving Time, Certifcate can be found under your Delta Skymiles Account, you can also call Delta Skymiles Rep to help process certificate and ask any questions you might have, easy peasy, enjoy!!! Now with first class or extra comfort there would need to have 2 seats open for your desired flight, less availability than the main cabin seats I usually book, book early as you can would be my advice.

 

[GrayFal]

Very easy to use for my Delta A/E Plat. Companion fare, book online using companion certificate, worked for every flight I wanted to use it for, around Thanksgiving Time, Certifcate can be found under your Delta Skymiles Account, you can also call Delta Skymiles Rep to help process certificate and ask any questions you might have, easy peasy, enjoy!!! Now with first class or extra comfort there would need to have 2 seats open for your desired flight, less availability than the main cabin seats I usually book, book early as you can would be my advice.

Thanks so much.
I was looking for access to Delta Lounge and Centurian lounge at JFK and this would off set the costs. I am a 331 day booker so as long as I can do it online I am good.

 

[rboesl]

I don't have the Reserve card but have had Platinum for years. Have never had any issues booking the companion fare. Always do it online through my Delta account.

 

[jd2601]

I use the companion fare every year and never had an issue with availability. Lounge access is a nice perk. I typically upgrade with choice benefits to include two additional guest access to the lounge.

 

[NiteMaire]

Thanks so much.
I was looking for access to Delta Lounge and Centurian lounge at JFK and this would off set the costs. I am a 331 day booker so as long as I can do it online I am good.

Here's a lesson I learned: While the big print states "domestic" the fine print states the companion certificate is limited to flights within the contiguous US. I was going to maximize value and get a flight to Hawaii, but then realized it was not eligible.

As an aside if you get the AMEX Platinum (not the same as the AMEX Delta Platinum), you still have access to both; and you can use the Centurion Lounge regardless of the airline. However, you don't get a companion certificate with the AMEX Platinum.

 

[bnoble]

I have a Delta Plat, not the Reserve. The Plat companion fare is limited to lower fare classes, not all coach fares are eligible. I sometimes have to be a little flexible on times to be able to use it but did this year for spring break to Orlando (a popular and relatively expensive set of flights.) Provided you can use it, it makes the Plat card a no-brainer.

 

[chellej]

I did not realize I had one until about a month ago until they sent the notice about the fee increase. I tried to book around Thanksgiving but had no luck. It will expire at the end of the year so will probably go to waste.

Part of it is we have very few flights in and out of spokane. They said there were no blackout dates but the fare class has to be available

 

[GrayFal]

I did not realize I had one until about a month ago until they sent the notice about the fee increase. I tried to book around Thanksgiving but had no luck. It will expire at the end of the year so will probably go to waste.

Part of it is we have very few flights in and out of spokane. They said there were no blackout dates but the fare class has to be available

Lots of delta flights from nyc. Jfk. Lga. The companion pass hits on your one year anniversary. I can plan accordingly.

 

[topmom101]

Interesting information. I fly Delta almost exclusively (gave up on JetBlue) and have the Delta Skymiles Amex. Wondering if upgrading to the Delta Reserve or Platinum would be worth the expense. Can someone expand on its benefits? Thanks.

 

[GrayFal]

I have a Delta Plat, not the Reserve. The Plat companion fare is limited to lower fare classes, not all coach fares are eligible. I sometimes have to be a little flexible on times to be able to use it but did this year for spring break to Orlando (a popular and relatively expensive set of flights.) Provided you can use it, it makes the Plat card a no-brainer.

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/delta-reserve-amex-credit-card-review/

[URL]https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-amex-cards-changing-benefits/[/URL]

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/why-amex-platinum-might-be-best-card-delta-flyers/

there's quite a bit about it here

 

[bnoble]

I combine a Delta Amex Plat with the “regular” Amex Plat for SkyClub access, rather than get the Delta reserve. I may rethink that with some of these new changes.

 

[jd2601]

I use the companion fare every year and never had an issue with availability. Lounge access is a nice perk.

Starting next year access to Centurion Lounges will be included with the Delta Reserve card.

 

[bnoble]

The other neat feature of the "straight" Platinum is that you can get up to three additional cards for $175/year and each of those cardholders has full SkyClub/Centurion/PriorityPass access. So, for a total $725/year, all four of us (spouse and two kids) have lounge access whenever we travel. Even before any other perks are added, that's a good deal, and probably enough to get me to keep it rather than switching to Delta Reserve.

 

[GrayFal]

The other neat feature of the "straight" Platinum is that you can get up to three additional cards for $175/year and each of those cardholders has full SkyClub/Centurion/PriorityPass access. So, for a total $725/year, all four of us (spouse and two kids) have lounge access whenever we travel. Even before any other perks are added, that's a good deal, and probably enough to get me to keep it rather than switching to Delta Reserve.

Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express
For $175 per card (See Rates & Fees) you can get additional Delta Reserve authorized user cards, which will allow your authorized user to also enjoy complimentary Sky Club access.Mar 26, 2019

 

[jd2601]

Delta Platinum card gets you a rate of $29 per visit per person for you and two additional guests at Sky Clubs. Delta Reserve allows access without an additional charge for individual that is flying on Delta.

 

[bnoble]

For $175 per card (See Rates & Fees) you can get additional Delta Reserve authorized user cards, which will allow your authorized user to also enjoy complimentary Sky Club access.Mar 26, 2019

Hmm. Thanks! I might still stick with my current mix for some of the secondary Amex Plat benefits (comped gold with Marriott and Hilton, Comped Executive Aisle with National), and after the airline/uber credits the marginal costs drops to $350.

 

[GrayFal]

Delta Platinum card gets you a rate of $29 per visit per person for you and two additional guests at Sky Clubs. Delta Reserve allows access without an additional charge for individual that is flying on Delta.

I believe the fee is going up on platinum to $39 guests?
There was a great post on the points guy that I read last month comparing all the Delta cards including the changes coming after January. I will try and find it.

For me, the new Centurian Lounge is being built in JKF Terminal 4 where Delta is so that’s a plus. The companion certificate will pretty much cover the cost. I already have priority pass thru Chase Sapphire Reserve.