The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes packed with Delta-specific perks like priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounts on award flights. The card’s annual companion certificate and ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars through spending make it worthwhile for those chasing Delta elite status.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
Welcome Bonus for Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
There are a few key restrictions to be aware of with this offer. It’s only available to new cardmembers who haven’t had this specific Delta Platinum card before. Additionally, you won’t be eligible if you currently have or have had the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Earning SkyMiles with Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex earns:
The card offers solid bonus categories for Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. However, more rewarding cards are available for each spending category if maximizing points earning is your main goal.
Where this card shines is for Delta frequent flyers who want to earn status faster through credit card spending. Spending on the Delta Platinum American Express will also help you earn Delta Medallion Elite status because you will earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQDs) for every $20 on your card.
For example, if you spent $20,000 per year on this card, you would earn 1,000 MQDs. Plus, the Delta Platinum American Express offers an annual $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollar headstart for just holding the card.
Annual Fee of Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex has an annual fee of $350 (rates & fees).
While this may seem high, the card offers several valuable benefits that can help offset the cost. The most notable perk is the annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight, where you only pay taxes and fees. You’ll also enjoy a first checked bag free benefit for yourself and up to eight companions on Delta flights, as well as priority boarding.
The card provides various statement credits throughout the year that can significantly reduce the effective annual fee. These include credits for Delta Stays, rideshare services, and Resy restaurant bookings. Additionally, cardholders get a 15% discount on award flights when using SkyMiles. Authorized users can be added to the card at no extra cost.
Delta Platinum Amex Card Benefits
The Delta Platinum Amex offers the following benefits for its cardholders: First Free Checked Bag: As a cardholder, your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, a benefit that extends to up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Given Delta’s standard checked bag fee of $35 each way, this perk can lead to substantial savings over time. Remember that the waiver applies to bags weighing 50 lbs or less and within Delta’s standard size limits—any overweight or oversized bags will still incur applicable fees. Priority Boarding: This Delta card grants you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation the privilege of boarding in Zone 5 ahead of most Main Cabin passengers. This benefit ensures ample overhead bin space for your carry-on bags and provides time to settle in before the flight. Companion Certificate: Enjoy a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. You must pay government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: When using your Delta American Express Card for eligible inflight purchases like food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights, you’ll receive a 20% savings as a statement credit. This discount applies to purchases made by primary cardholders and authorized users on domestic and international flights. However, it doesn’t cover inflight Wi-Fi. 15% Award Discount: One of the more unique perks of Delta credit cards is the TakeOff 15 benefit, which offers a 15% discount on award travel booked on Delta.com when signed into your account associated with your card. This discount applies to the SkyMiles required for an award ticket, not the dollar amount of government-imposed taxes and fees. While limited to Delta-operated flights (not partner airlines), this discount can help your miles go further, especially on more expensive routes or last-minute bookings. Pay with SkyMiles: Delta SkyMiles credit cards unlock the ability to ability to “Pay with Miles” allowing cardmembers to pay for flights with SkyMiles at a rate of 1.0 cents per mile (in increments of 5,000 miles per $50). $150 Annual Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Platinum Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays. $120 Resy Credit: Earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required. $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto. Enrollment Required. Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: This card offers a credit for TSA PreCheck (expedited airport security) or Global Entry (expedited airport security and customs). Hertz 5-Star Status: Receive Hertz 5-Star elite status upon enrollment, which offers benefits such as a 25% points bonus, free additional driver for spouse, and upgrades or the ability to choose a car from the Five Star Aisle at Ultimate Choice Locations. No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose. Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.* Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.* Baggage Insurance Plan covers your baggage if it is lost, damaged, or stolen and you purchase your ticket with this card.* 90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.* Extended Warranty Protection: When you purchase items with your credit card, you’ll get an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items that have original manufacturer warranties of up to five years. This valuable perk means you can protect expensive electronics and appliances that come with longer manufacturer warranties without paying extra for store protection plans* * Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.Benefits with Delta Air Lines
Special Credits
Travel and Purchase Benefits
Redeeming Miles
Delta SkyMiles offers a variety of ways to redeem your hard-earned miles for travel. One of the most straightforward options is booking Delta-operated flights, where award pricing is dynamic. This means flexibility in your travel dates can often lead to better value. Keep an eye out for SkyMiles deals, which can offer significant savings on specific routes. For international travel, Delta’s extensive partner network opens up a world of possibilities. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta allows you to redeem miles on 18 partner airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Korean Air. Additionally, non-alliance partners like WestJet provide more options, especially for travel to Canada. Partner awards often provide better value than Delta-operated flights, particularly for premium cabin travel. For example, business class flights from the U.S. to Mexico or within Asia can be excellent uses of SkyMiles. However, it’s important to note that partner award availability can be limited, so booking in advance is recommended. Another option is using miles for upgrades on Delta and select partner flights. While this typically provides lower value than booking award flights outright, it can be a good choice if you have a surplus of miles. Delta Vacations presents another redemption opportunity, often yielding at least 1.15 cents per mile in value. This can be particularly appealing for package deals including flights and luxury hotel stays. Remember, award prices can change without notice, so it’s always wise to book when you find a good deal. With some strategic planning, Delta SkyMiles can be a valuable currency for your travel needs.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick overview of this card’s advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
Companion Certificate: You receive an annual companion certificate for a main cabin round-trip domestic flight, which can easily offset the annual fee if used for an expensive ticket.
Elite Status Boost: The card provides a head start of 2,500 MQDs annually and allows you to earn additional MQDs through spending, helping you reach Delta Medallion status faster.
Valuable Travel Credits: You get annual credits for Delta Stays ($150), rideshares ($120), and Resy restaurants ($120), providing up to $390 in value.
Travel Perks: The card offers benefits like first checked bag free, priority boarding, 20% savings on inflight purchases, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
Cons:
High Annual Fee: The $350 annual fee may be steep for infrequent Delta flyers or those who can’t maximize the card’s benefits.
No Lounge Access: Unlike the more premium Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, this card doesn’t offer Delta Sky Club or Centurion Lounge access.
Mediocre Earning Rates: While the card offers bonus miles on Delta, hotel, restaurant, and U.S. supermarket purchases, there are other cards with better earning rates in these categories.
SkyMiles Limitations: Delta SkyMiles aren’t the most valuable airline currency, and the program’s lack of an award chart means redemption prices can be unpredictable.
Alternatives to the Delta Platinum Card
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card® (review) offers the most comprehensive airport lounge network available, giving you access to premium Centurion Lounges plus thousands of other lounges worldwide. You can easily offset the card’s large annual fee through generous credits for Uber, hotels, digital entertainment, Resy dining, and lifestyle brands like lululemon. Earning Points: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 5x points on on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com; 1x points on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (review) offers valuable perks for occasional Delta flyers at a reasonable annual fee. With benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding, this card can easily pay for itself if you fly Delta even a few times per year. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earn SkyMiles: 2x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases, at US supermarkets, and at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the US); 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to 8 travel companions, receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, 15% award discount, up to $100 back per year as a statement credit to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays, baggage insurance plan, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (review) offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate. While it comes with a high annual fee, frequent Delta flyers can find significant value through its array of travel benefits and ability to boost elite status qualification. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases; 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: * Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Is the Delta Platinum Amex Worth It?
The Delta Platinum Amex offers solid value for frequent Delta flyers looking to boost their Medallion status and enjoy some premium perks.
You’ll get a nice welcome bonus, an annual companion certificate, and helpful travel benefits like priority boarding and a free checked bag. The card also provides useful statement credits for rideshares, Resy dining, and Delta hotel bookings that can offset much of the annual fee.
While the earning rates aren’t industry-leading, the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars through spending makes this a compelling option if you’re chasing Delta elite status.
Overall, if you fly Delta regularly and can maximize the companion certificate and credits, this card is likely worth the annual fee – but casual Delta travelers may want to consider lower-fee alternatives.
Learn How to Apply: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
