What is up with the airlines and their credit card offerings lately? First, the MileagePlus Explorer Visa, and then the American AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard. Now Delta is stepping things up a notch with some enhanced privileges for its Gold and Platinum SkyMiles Cards from American Express. Beginning September 1, Delta will add a priority boarding (Zone 2) privilege for cardholders, which can be extended to a total of 9 passengers traveling in the same reservation. The first bag free benefit for up to 9 travelers in the same reservation remains. Additionally, cardmembers will begin receiving a 20 percent savings on purchase of inflight amenities from Delta. You can read Delta’s press release here which details other benefits and T&Cs.
With the new focus on enhanced benefits like priority boarding and bag fee waivers, I think any of these new card products is worth a look, especially if they’re attached to an airline you fly a bit, but do not hold elite status with. I have to wonder what’s driving this new effort on enhanced benefits for airline cards. I believe them to be quite lucrative for the airlines and card companies, so I suppose anything that can done to gin up interest in the cards is good for the companies. As long as the benefits don’t encroach on those offered to elite fliers, I think I’m ok with these new cards.
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