Opinion: UR points or gold status

Discussion / Conversation Forum
1

I have a choice to make in the next 24 hours. Spend 12k on my delta Amex reserve (1 mqd per $10 spent) OR spend 12k on my chase sapphire reserve (3x for travel).

If I go delta Amex, it will give me enough points for gold status (1200mqds away).

If I go sapphire, it’s 36,000 more points.

Curious which you’d pick? No wrong answers. Just curious.

EDIT: more background context
I fly with my family of four about 4-8 times a year. Fly solo 2-3. Almost fly exclusively Delta out of MSP (a Delta hub). Generally happy to pay a little more with Delta because of direct flights and better service recently.

Also, we are on the quadfecta for UR. Delta card for free bags, Sky Club, and yearly companion pass.

2

If you fly out of a Delta hub, gold means diddly squat.

3

EmilyWilson said:
If you fly out of a Delta hub, gold means diddly squat.

MSP. So yes. Have had silver two years. Only one upgrade.

4

I would definitely take the 36k points, take the $360 in cash and buy your partner a gift (or yourself).

5

Zyler said:
I would definitely take the 36k points, take the $360 in cash and buy your partner a gift (or yourself).

Or buy one upgrade on a long flight….

Good point.

6

I’m Delta silver, but I don’t think the jump to gold is significant. If you got upgraded once or twice more from gold status, would you value that over 36k UR? I’d probably go with the UR.

7

Wylder said:
I’m Delta silver, but I don’t think the jump to gold is significant. If you got upgraded once or twice more from gold status, would you value that over 36k UR? I’d probably go with the UR.

Yeah. Good point. Key question I don’t know is, traveling with family of four… does gold vs silver even matter? What are chances we get 4 upgrades?

Now wife is almost at gold because she flies more. If we are both gold, does it help? I dunno.

8

Get two new Amex cards with $6k spend requirements for the SUB and split the payment. Or a new business platinum. You should get the option for a digital card number to use immediately and could easily turn that into 5-10x the value you get out of 36k points.

9

@FaithJones
Oooooh. tempting. I think I’m about at max credit limits though across my 9 cards (I have lots/too many with 20k-30k limits. Last card opened was business ink and I didn’t get a number right away for the first time ever. Had to wait 7 days when they verified my 10k limit request so I could put an upcoming trip on it… Little bit of a risk not get the number. But tempting.

10

@Vin
You have a relationship with Amex, so risk of applying is basically zero. I’ve always received an option for a temporary card number with them, and they tell you before application if you’ll get the bonus. I can’t imagine with credit limits like that you wouldn’t get at least $6k available on a new card. And you can always request a credit limit transfer from another card at the same bank.

11

@FaithJones
Good point.

12

Isn’t it just 24k more points with the CSR?

13

Ella said:
Isn’t it just 24k more points with the CSR?

Mmm. Also a good point. 24k more vs 36 total. Yes.

14

I’m taking the Gold status. You’ll enjoy it. Miles will come.

15

Delta if you are going to be mainly flying with the airline.

UR if not.