Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis)

What else is in this post?

1. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta SkyClub Changes Force Amex Platinum Members to Find Alternative Airport Lounges by Jan 2025
2. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta Reserve Annual Companion Certificate Adds Premium Cabin Access From Feb 2025
3. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Amex Platinum Hotel Elite Status Benefits Top Delta Reserve Travel Perks
4. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta Reserve Status Boost Feature Delivers 15,000 Extra MQMs at $30,000 Spend
5. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Centurion Lounge Network Access Remains Exclusive to Amex Platinum Members
6. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta Reserve Card Cuts Guest Access Fees by 50% Starting April 2025
7. Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Amex Platinum International Lounge Access Beats Delta Reserve Network Coverage

Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta Reserve Annual Companion Certificate Adds Premium Cabin Access From Feb 2025

Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Amex Platinum Hotel Elite Status Benefits Top Delta Reserve Travel Perks

The user wants me to rewrite the `` paragraph, incorporating the search results and keeping it consistent with the style and tone of Torsten Jacobi from mightytravels.com. The context is an article comparing Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cards, specifically focusing on elite status benefits, and this subsection is about hotel elite status benefits of Amex Platinum versus the Delta Reserve. I need to make sure it fits after the previous sections about lounge access and the Delta Reserve companion ticket update.

Constraints to consider:
- **Rewrite, similar length, format.**
- **Topic:** Amex Platinum hotel elite status vs Delta Reserve perks (focusing on status benefits, building on the lounge and companion certificate topics already covered).
- **Context:** Mightytravels.com, article on Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve.
- **Persona:** Torsten Jacobi (critical, non-commercial, non-corporate speak).
- **Date:** March 19, 2025 (present tense, reflecting current situation).
- **Search Results:** Use highly relevant info from search results.
- **Avoid Repetition:** Do not repeat arguments from `` sections (lounge access changes and companion ticket update).
- **Specific Negative Constraints:** No endorsements, commercial/corporate speak, sources, headlines, markup, mentioning Torsten Jacobi or domain, COVID-19/pandemic, Scotts Cheap Flights, Brian Kelly/TPG/going.com.

Based on the search results, the key points for Amex Platinum are:
- Hotel elite status (Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold).
- $200 hotel credit.
- Extensive lounge access (already covered, but can briefly reference in relation to *broader* benefits compared to Delta Reserve's *airline* focus).

Key points for Delta Reserve:
- No hotel elite status.
- Delta-focused perks (free bag, priority boarding, MQMs).
- Delta SkyClub access (already covered, but can reference in relation to airline focus).
- Companion certificate update (already covered, so avoid repeating detail, but can implicitly refer to the Delta Reserve's push to enhance its value within Delta ecosystem).

The `` paragraph already touches on some relevant points but can be improved by:
- Sharpening the critical tone (Torsten Jacobi style).
- Highlighting the *trade-off* between hotel vs airline benefits more explicitly.
- Making it flow more naturally after the sections on lounge access and companion ticket updates.
- Potentially mentioning the hotel credit as a concrete benefit (from search result 3).

Let's break down the `` paragraph and improve it section by section:

Original ``: "As of March 2025, the landscape of elite status benefits for travelers is evolving, particularly for those holding the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cards." - *A bit generic, can be more direct and less "evolving landscape" since we already established changes.*

Revised opening: "Moving beyond lounge access, the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cards continue to diverge in their perceived value, particularly when examining elite status perks as of March 2025." - *Connects to previous lounge discussion, more direct.*

Original ``: "The Amex Platinum offers hotel elite status with brands like Hilton and Marriott, which can enhance stays with perks such as room upgrades and complimentary breakfasts." - *Good, factual, but can be slightly more critical and concise.*

Revised Amex Platinum hotel benefits: "The Amex Platinum dangles the promise of hotel status with Hilton and Marriott. Gold status, while not top-tier, theoretically brings room upgrades and free breakfast at these chains." - *Slightly more critical tone ("dangles," "theoretically"), acknowledges Gold isn't top status, but highlights core benefits.*

Original ``: "Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve card focuses on its airline loyalty aspect, allowing cardholders to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) based on spending, a feature that the Amex Platinum lacks." - *Accurate, but could be more punchy in comparison.*

Revised Delta Reserve comparison: "The Delta Reserve, in contrast, remains firmly grounded in the Delta universe. Forget hotel upgrades; its idea of 'elite status' involves the slow accumulation of Medallion Qualification Miles through spending – something entirely absent from the Platinum's feature set, which appears almost indifferent to airline status itself." - *Stronger contrast, critical of Delta Reserve's focus, emphasizes Platinum's different approach.*

Original ``: "Both cards provide valuable lounge access, but their benefits cater to different preferences; Amex Platinum cardholders enjoy a broader selection of airport lounges, while Delta Reserve cardholders benefit from priority boarding and a free checked bag, solidifying their loyalty to Delta Air Lines." - *Repetitive about lounge access (already covered), could be more concise and link to the "different preferences" point.*

Revised lounge and airline perks: "While both cards offer lounge access – the Platinum with its sprawling network, the Reserve tied to Delta's SkyClubs – the Delta Reserve doubles down on airline-specific trinkets: priority boarding, a free bag. These are meant to glue you tighter to Delta, while the Platinum spreads its bets across the entire travel spectrum." - *Briefer lounge mention, contrasts networks, uses "trinkets" critically for Delta perks, highlights Platinum's broader scope, stronger concluding sentence.*

Original ``: "As travelers weigh these options, the choice between hotel and airline perks becomes increasingly critical in the context of their travel habits." - *Okay, but a bit weak ending.*

Revised Conclusion: "For travelers in March 2025, the crucial question is becoming starker: hotel pampering or airline points? The Platinum leans heavily into the former, the Reserve stubbornly clings to the latter. Your travel style dictates the 'winner' in this increasingly segmented game." - *Stronger, direct question, reinforces the trade-off, uses "segmented game" to highlight the strategic nature of card choices.*

Putting it all
Here are some perhaps less obvious points that surface when examining the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cards for the savvy traveler in March 2025:

1. **Hotel Status Nuances:** The automatic hotel status provided by Amex Platinum, while seemingly generous with brands like Marriott and Hilton, should be examined closely. These are mid-tier statuses, and the real-world benefits like upgrades can be quite inconsistent. Depending on the hotel and time of year, the supposed 'savings' might be overstated, particularly when chasing true luxury experiences.

2. **SkyMiles Momentum**: The reported surge in Delta SkyMiles

Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta Reserve Status Boost Feature Delivers 15,000 Extra MQMs at $30,000 Spend

Delta loyalists holding the Delta Reserve card now have a fast track, albeit an expensive one, to accumulate Medallion Qualification Miles. Spend a chunky $30,000 on the card within a year, and Delta gifts you 15,000 MQMs. Rinse and repeat up to four times, and theoretically, you could snag 60,000 MQMs simply by putting $120,000 on the card. Whether chasing status this way represents a sensible use of funds is debatable, especially for those who watch their wallets. Meanwhile, the Amex Platinum card takes a different tack, less fixated on one airline. It dangles hotel status and lounge access across various networks, presenting itself as a more flexible tool for diverse travel tastes. The choice boils down to whether your priority is deeply embedding yourself within the Delta ecosystem or maintaining a wider, more adaptable approach to travel perks.
The user wants me to rewrite the provided `` text about the Delta Reserve Status Boost feature in my own words, maintaining a similar length and format. This subsection should fit within a larger mightytravels.com article titled "Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis)". The tone should be that of Torsten Jacobi - critical, curious, non-commercial, and non-corporate. The writing date is March 19, 2025, and I must not mention COVID-19, pandemics, Scott's Cheap Flights, Brian Kelly, or going.com. I should also avoid repeating arguments from the `` sections which, in this instance, are empty.

Let's break down the `` text and rephrase each point in Torsten Jacobi's voice:

Original point 1: **MQMs Explained**: *Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), which are earned through the Delta Reserve's Status Boost feature, are crucial for achieving elite status within Delta's Medallion program. This system encourages travelers to spend more on Delta flights to reap the benefits of upgrades and priority services.*
Rewritten Point 1: *Delta's game revolves around Medallion Qualification Miles, or MQMs. The Reserve card's 'Status Boost' is really just a spend-more-to-maybe-get-status scheme. Flyers chasing upgrades and quicker check-in are basically being asked to swipe their way to 'elite'.*

Original point 2: **Value of MQMs**: *Earning 15,000 MQMs through a $30,000 spend may seem like a steep requirement, but it can significantly enhance a traveler’s elite status. For instance, achieving Silver Medallion status requires 25,000 MQMs, meaning this boost can put travelers closer to that goal without flying additional segments.*
Rewritten Point 2: *Thirty thousand dollars for 15,000 MQMs... sounds like a lot of cash for what it is. But consider Delta's Silver status – 'entry-level elite' as some call it – needs 25,000 MQMs. So, this 'boost' is less about a bonus and more about nudging you towards status through credit card spending, not actual flying.*

Original point 3: **Market Trends**: *In 2025, loyalty programs are increasingly incentivizing high-spending travelers rather than just frequent flyers. This shift reflects a broader trend in the airline industry, where customer loyalty is driven more by spending power than by flight frequency.*
Rewritten Point 3: *Look around in 2025. Airlines aren't just after bums-on-seats anymore. It's all about the wallet now. Loyalty schemes are less about *flying* a lot and more about *spending* big. Airlines want your credit card activity, not just your flight miles.*

Original point 4: **Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum**: *While the Delta Reserve card focuses on airline-specific perks, including the Status Boost, the Amex Platinum card offers broader travel benefits, including hotel elite status in major chains. This divergence caters to different travel styles: airline loyalty versus a more comprehensive travel experience.*
Rewritten Point 4: *The Reserve card is deeply in bed with Delta. 'Status Boost', Sky Club access - it’s all Delta, Delta, Delta. Amex Platinum? It plays the field. Hotel perks, broader lounge access. Pick your poison: airline tunnel vision or travel buffet.*

Original point 5: **Airline Competition**: *Delta's enhancements to the Reserve card are part of a competitive landscape, where airlines are continuously adjusting loyalty perks to retain high-spending customers. Other airlines are likely to follow suit, making 2025 a pivotal year for loyalty rewards.*
Rewritten Point 5: *Delta isn’t alone in these games. Every airline is tweaking its loyalty program, fighting for those high-roller credit card swipes. Expect more 'enhancements' – or devaluations, depending on how you look at it – across the board. Loyalty programs are a moving target in 2025.*

Original point 6: **Companion Certificates**: *The Delta Reserve's companion certificate can now be used for premium cabins, adding significant value. However, actual availability for these upgrades can be limited, especially during peak travel times, raising questions about the practicality of such benefits.*
Rewritten Point 6: *That 'upgraded' companion certificate on the Reserve? Sounds fancy – premium cabins, First Class even. Reality check: finding those seats using the certificate might be like spotting a unicorn, especially when everyone else is trying to travel. Is it real value or just marketing fluff?*

Original point 7: **Travel Credit Trends**: *Many premium travel cards, including the Amex Platinum, provide annual travel credits (e.g., $200 hotel credit). Such perks can offset costs for savvy travelers who know how to maximize their benefits, making them an essential consideration when choosing between cards.*
Rewritten Point 7: *Platinum's $200 hotel credit – and others like it – are the real game for some. If you're strategic, these credits can actually cut down your travel costs. Forget points and miles for a second; these are tangible discounts, if you use them right. Card choice often boils down to who can best play the 'credit' game.*

Original point 8: **Flexible Travel Strategies**: *With the evolving landscape of travel perks, frequent travelers are advised to adopt flexible strategies that allow them to maximize benefits across different loyalty programs. This includes understanding how to combine hotel, airline, and credit card rewards effectively.*
Rewritten Point 8: *In this mess of shifting airline and hotel schemes, flexibility is your best weapon. Don't marry yourself to one program. Smart travelers in 2025 are program-agn

Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Centurion Lounge Network Access Remains Exclusive to Amex Platinum Members

As of March 2025, access to the Centurion Lounge network still remains strictly for American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders. If you hold a Delta Reserve card and are imagining those touted curated food and drink options, you'll likely be disappointed. Unless flying Delta on that very day, entry is not an option. Platinum cardholders, however, maintain their entry privilege to this expanding lounge network – and can even bring in guests. Delta Reserve holders are primarily limited to Delta Sky Clubs, a demonstrably different, and arguably less consistently 'luxurious', affair. For pure lounge access benefits, the Platinum card retains a significant advantage, with the Delta Reserve lagging behind in overall airport lounge offerings.
The user wants me to rewrite the provided text about Amex Centurion Lounge access.
The rewrite should be:
- In my own words.
- Similar length and format.
- In the style of Torsten Jacobi (critical, non-commercial, non-corporate speak).
- As of March 19, 2025.
- Part of a longer article about Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve on mightytravels.com.
- Focused on travel (cheap flights, airline news, destinations, travel with miles/points etc.).
- Non-endorsing, non-commercial.
- Avoid specific mentions (COVID, Scotts Cheap Flights, Brian Kelly etc.).
- No headlines, markup.

I need to go through each point in the original text and rewrite it from Torsten Jacobi's perspective, being critical and inquisitive. I should consider the broader travel landscape and link it to the Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve discussion where possible, although the focus here is Centurion Lounges.

Point-by-point thought process and rewrite drafting:

1. **Original Point:** Membership Exclusivity (15% access, prestige).
**Torsten's View:** "Exclusive" is a marketing word. Let's examine this "exclusivity." 15% sounds made up. Is it really that rare? Is it truly prestigious or just hyped?
**Rewrite Draft:** So, Centurion Lounges are touted as ‘exclusive.’ Apparently, only a fraction of travelers – some made-up statistic of 15% is floating around – get in. Is this actual exclusivity or just clever marketing to make Platinum holders feel like they're part of some elite club?

2. **Original Point:** Global Expansion (40+ locations, Tokyo, Dubai).
**Torsten's View:** Expansion is good for Amex, but does it *really* benefit travelers, or is it just diluted quality with more locations? Tokyo and Dubai are predictable, not very surprising choices.
**Rewrite Draft:** Amex is busy building these Centurion boxes everywhere. Forty plus now, they claim, throwing up new ones in predictable hubs like Tokyo and Dubai. Expansion sounds good, but the real question is whether spreading them so thin waters down the experience.

3. **Original Point:** Unique Offerings (gourmet dining, chefs).
**Torsten's View:** "Gourmet" and "renowned chefs" are marketing buzzwords. Is the food *actually* good or just fancy for airport food? Is it consistent across locations?
**Rewrite Draft:** The pitch with Centurion Lounges is the ‘gourmet’ food, ‘chef-designed’ menus. Let’s be realistic, it’s still airport lounge food. But compared to the usual soggy sandwiches, they do try to make it sound more appealing. Question is – does it actually deliver on the ‘gourmet’ hype consistently?

4. **Original Point:** Business Services (meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, productivity).
**Torsten's View:** Meeting rooms in lounges? Sounds impractical and noisy. Wi-Fi is expected everywhere. "Productivity" – really? People want to relax in lounges, not work.
**Rewrite Draft:** They also push the ‘business traveler’ angle, mentioning meeting rooms and ‘productivity zones.’ Meeting rooms in an airport lounge sounds like a recipe for awkward eavesdropping. And ‘high-speed Wi-Fi’ – isn’t that a basic expectation in 2025, not a perk?

5. **Original Point:** Art and Design (local culture, sophistication).
**Torsten's View:** "Art" and "sophistication" - more marketing. Local culture in an airport lounge feels forced. Is it genuinely interesting or just surface-level decor?
**Rewrite Draft:** Each lounge supposedly has ‘unique decor and art reflecting local culture.’ ‘Sophistication’ is the word they love. An airport lounge trying to be an art gallery? Seems a bit much. Does anyone actually notice the ‘local culture’ amidst the travel stress?

6. **Original Point:** High-Quality Beverages (premium alcohol, craft cocktails).
**Torsten's View:** "Premium" drinks are definitely a draw for some. Compared to watery beer elsewhere, this is a point of differentiation. But is it truly "high-end"?
**Rewrite Draft:** Okay, credit where it’s due, the drinks are a step up. ‘Premium alcoholic beverages,’ they boast – craft cocktails, decent wines. In the world of airport lounges serving lukewarm beer, actual drinks might be a real plus for some.

7. **Original Point:** Access Restrictions (guest policy changes, value discussions).
**Torsten's View:** Guest policies are always changing and tightening. “Value of membership” – that’s the core question. Is the lounge access *really* worth the Platinum card fee, especially with guest restrictions?
**Rewrite Draft:** Guest access… always a moving target. They started generous, now tightening the rules, naturally. This constant tweaking of guest policies has travelers questioning the ‘value’ of this ‘exclusive’ access. Is bringing in a guest worth more than the card’s hefty annual fee?

8. **Original Point:** Alternative Lounge Options (Delta Sky Club changes, Centurion as alternative).
**Torsten's View:** Delta SkyClub restrictions directly benefit Centurion Lounges by making them more appealing. This shift is predictable and strategic by Amex/Centurion.
**Rewrite Draft:** With Delta SkyClub access becoming harder for Platinum holders, Centurion Lounges are now pushed as the ‘reliable alternative.’ Convenient timing, isn't it? Delta's changes conveniently funnel more traffic towards the Amex-branded lounges.

9. **Original Point:** Value Proposition (annual fee justification, savings on food/drink).
**Torsten's View:** The annual fee is huge. L

Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Delta Reserve Card Cuts Guest Access Fees by 50% Starting April 2025

For those clutching a Delta Reserve card in March 2025 and expecting entry into the Centurion Lounges that Amex Platinum holders frequent, prepare for disappointment. Despite the glossy brochures, Centurion doors are still basically slammed shut unless you brandish the Platinum card itself. Delta Reserve holders find themselves mostly stuck with Delta Sky Clubs – a different beast altogether, and not often in a good way, depending on who you ask. While Platinum cardholders continue to wave themselves and often a guest into the generally more hyped Centurion lounges, Reserve cardholders are left pondering if Sky Club access alone truly justifies the card’s premium positioning. For consistent access to what's often marketed as the 'better' lounge experience, the Platinum card stubbornly maintains its lead, leaving the Delta Reserve looking rather one-dimensional in the lounge game.
So, Centurion Lounges. They push this idea of 'exclusivity', mentioning some dubious 15% access statistic. One wonders, is this genuine scarcity, or just marketing spin to make Platinum holders feel like they've joined some secret society?

Amex keeps building these Centurion boxes all over the place, bragging about 40+ locations, name-dropping predictable spots like Tokyo and Dubai. Expansion is fine, but does more mean better? Or are they just spreading themselves too thin and diluting the whole supposed 'premium' experience?

Then there's the 'gourmet dining' spiel, with talk of 'chef-designed menus'. Come on, it's still airport lounge food. Maybe slightly less offensive than the usual stale crackers, but consistently 'gourmet'? Doubtful.

They throw in the 'business traveler' angle too – meeting rooms, 'productivity zones'. Meeting rooms in a lounge? Sounds like a noisy place to have a serious discussion. And 'high-speed Wi-Fi' in 2025? That's table stakes, not a luxury perk.

Supposedly, each lounge has 'unique decor and art inspired by local culture' to add 'sophistication'. An airport lounge trying to be a cultural experience? Feels a bit forced. Does anyone actually pay attention to the 'local art' while rushing to catch a flight?

Okay, one thing they do seem to get right-ish are the drinks. 'Premium alcoholic beverages', they claim. Decent cocktails, maybe some drinkable wine. Compared to the usual airport lounge swill, it's a step up, I'll give them that. But 'premium'? Let's not get carried away.

Guest access is always the catch, isn't it? They started out generous, now they keep tightening the screws. Makes you wonder about the real 'value' proposition. Is dragging a guest into one of these places worth the hefty annual fee, especially with the access rules getting more restrictive all the time?

With Delta Sky Clubs getting stingier for Platinum holders, suddenly Centurion Lounges are pushed as the 'obvious alternative'. Convenient timing. Looks like Delta's move conveniently funnels more traffic – and more perceived value – straight to Amex's own lounges. Clever, if a bit transparent.

And that massive annual fee for the Platinum card? You have to really start crunching numbers. Lounge access, slightly better food and drink – does it actually justify the cost? Especially when you start factoring in how much you're *really* saving on food and drink inside these lounges compared to just paying at an airport restaurant.

Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve 7 Key Differences in Lounge Access and Elite Status Benefits (2025 Analysis) - Amex Platinum International Lounge Access Beats Delta Reserve Network Coverage

By March 2025, the difference in lounge access between the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve is impossible to ignore. Platinum cardholders still hold exclusive access to Centurion Lounges, consistently marketed as offering a superior experience. Delta Reserve members, however, are mostly limited to Delta Sky Clubs – lounges known for their inconsistent quality. This highlights a key advantage for Platinum, with its access to a wider array of lounges often considered more upscale. As Delta's own lounge policies evolve, Delta Reserve loyalists might be re-evaluating whether Sky Club access alone justifies the card's premium price tag in today's ever-evolving travel perks landscape
For those still thinking the Delta Reserve can somehow compete with the Amex Platinum on airport lounge access come March 2025, it's worth a reality check beyond just the Centurion hype. While Centurion Lounges get all the press, the Platinum card quietly unlocks doors to a truly sprawling network. Think Priority Pass, think Plaza Premium, think even some random airline lounges you've never heard of. This scattershot approach actually makes sense if you don't pledge allegiance to one airline and fly on whatever gets you there cheapest – or at least reasonably so. The Delta Reserve, predictably, keeps you corralled within the Delta walled garden and its Sky Clubs.

And about those supposedly top-tier Centurion Lounges... let's not pretend every single one is some oasis of calm and gourmet delights. The experience is wildly inconsistent. One might be a genuinely decent escape, another just an overcrowded box with slightly better snacks than outside. This unevenness undercuts the whole 'premium lounge' marketing angle rather significantly.

Guest access – another perennial game of rule-tightening. Platinum holders can still drag in a travel companion to the Centurion, for now at least, but the terms shift so often it’s anyone’s guess what the policy will be next month. Delta Reserve folks? Guest access to Sky Clubs has always been stingier, another tick in the 'less value' column.

The Delta Reserve is fundamentally a Delta credit card masquerading as a premium travel card. Its perks are laser-focused on Delta Air Lines – the free checked bag, the priority boarding, the MQM earning. Great, if you bleed Delta blue. But if you value flexibility and want travel perks that work across airlines and hotels, this narrow focus is a drawback, to put it mildly.

Delta is making noise about cutting Sky Club guest fees by half for Reserve cardholders starting next month, April 2025. Sounds generous? Hardly. It's like discounting a bad product slightly and hoping no one notices it's still overpriced. Paying *anything* extra to get a guest into a Sky Club, when Platinum holders waltz into Centurions (and many others) often with guests in tow, feels decidedly second-class.

Speaking of overpriced, let's not forget the elephant in the room: the Amex Platinum's hefty annual fee. You really have to do the math to see if the lounge access, the haphazard hotel credits, and the rest actually justify the cost. Especially now that every credit card company seems to be launching their own 'premium' offering, the competition for your wallet is only intensifying.

Even the much-touted 'gourmet' food in Centurion Lounges… it's lounge food, people. Sometimes it’s genuinely a cut above airport norms, sometimes it’s just lukewarm canapés and slightly fancier labels. Don't believe the hype; manage your expectations.

Airlines are scrambling to redefine loyalty. It's less about racking up flight miles and more about who's spending big on their credit cards. Delta’s fiddling with lounge access and Reserve card perks is just a symptom of this wider shift, a dance to keep the high-spending cardholders engaged, or at least give that appearance.

With Delta deliberately making Sky Club access less appealing for Platinum holders, the Centurion Loung