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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Review
February 6, 2025
If you're a frequent Delta flyer looking to elevate your travel experience, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card might be worth your consideration. This mid-tier travel card sits between Delta's Gold and Reserve offerings, providing a solid mix of travel benefits and opportunities to earn SkyMiles. But is it worth the annual fee? Let's dive into the details to help you decide if this card deserves a spot in your wallet.
What Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for regular Delta Air Lines travelers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy premium travel perks. With a significant welcome offer and the ability to earn bonus miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets, and restaurants, this card helps accelerate your path to award travel.
One of the card's standout features is the annual companion certificate, which allows you to bring someone along on a domestic round-trip flight for just the cost of taxes and fees. Additionally, cardholders receive their first checked bag free on Delta flights, priority boarding, and the opportunity to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta elite status.
While the card carries a substantial annual fee, the combination of travel benefits, credits, and miles-earning potential can provide significant value for the right traveler.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Pros & Cons
Before applying for any credit card, it's important to weigh its advantages and disadvantages. Here's what you should consider about the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card:
Pros:
- Generous welcome offer: New cardholders can earn substantial bonus miles after meeting eligible purchase requirements within the first few months
- Annual companion certificate: Receive a certificate each year upon renewal for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight
- First checked bag free: Save up to $60 per round-trip flight when flying Delta
- Accelerated path to Medallion status: Earn Medallion® Qualification Dollar (MQD) waivers and bonus MQMs with high annual spend
- Priority boarding: Enjoy Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights
- Travel protections: Includes baggage insurance plan, car rental loss and damage insurance, and trip delay insurance
- Statement credits: Receive a $120 rideshare credit and $120 Resy credit annually
- TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry application fee credit: Get reimbursed for your application fee every 4.5 years
Cons:
- Significant annual fee: The card has a $250 annual fee that isn't waived the first year
- Limited Delta Sky Club® access: Unlike the Reserve card, Platinum doesn't include regular lounge access
- Variable APR: The card carries a high variable APR for purchases and balance transfers
- Foreign transaction fees: While most premium travel cards waive these fees, it's worth noting this card's specific terms
- Complex bonus categories: Some may find tracking category-specific spending limits challenging
Who Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card For?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is ideally suited for travelers who:
Delta Loyalists
If you fly Delta several times per year, this card offers substantial value through its Delta-specific benefits. Free checked bags, priority boarding, and in-flight purchase discounts can quickly offset a portion of the annual fee.
Status Seekers
For those pursuing Delta Medallion status, this card provides a boost through MQD waivers and the opportunity to earn additional MQMs through spending. The card can help bridge the gap to reach your desired status level.
Couples and Families
The annual companion certificate is particularly valuable for those who travel with a partner, potentially saving hundreds of dollars on a domestic flight each year. Combined with the first bag free benefit (which extends to up to 8 companions on the same reservation), families can realize significant savings.
Moderate to Heavy Spenders
Cardholders who can maximize the bonus categories (Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets, and restaurants) and utilize the statement credits for rideshare services and dining will extract the most value from this card.
Credit-Healthy Applicants
With its premium benefits, this card typically requires a good to excellent credit score (generally 670+). Those with strong credit histories will have the best approval odds and qualify for the most favorable offer terms.
Comparing the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with Other Credit Cards
When considering the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the mid-tier travel card category:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X on other purchases
- Standout feature: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase TravelSM
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X miles on all purchases, 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Miles transferable to travel partners
American Express® Gold Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $325
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 4X points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X) and 3X on booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- Standout feature: Up to $120 dining credit and up to $120 Uber Cash annually. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card excels in helping accelerate your path to award travel
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers versatile travel rewards
- Capital One Venture provides simple, flat-rate miles earning
- American Express® Gold Card features strong dining and groceries rewards
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Key Features and Benefits
Welcome Offer
New cardholders can earn a substantial welcome offer of bonus miles after making eligible purchases within the required timeframe. This welcome offer alone can be worth several hundred dollars in award travel when redeemed strategically.
Earning Structure
- 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases
- 3X miles at hotels and eligible vacation rentals
- 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
Annual Companion Certificate
Upon renewal of your card each year, receive a companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight. This benefit alone can often exceed the value of the annual fee.
Delta Travel Benefits
- First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
- Zone 5 priority boarding
- 20% back on in-flight purchases as a statement credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Pay with Miles program through the Fly Delta app
Status Boosts and Waivers
- MQD waiver when you spend $25,000 in a calendar year
- Opportunity to earn MQMs through high spending thresholds
Travel Protections and Insurance
- Baggage insurance plan
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Trip delay insurance
Additional Benefits
- $120 rideshare credit (issued as $10 monthly statements)
- $120 Resy credit for dining
- TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee credit
- Hertz Five Star® status and access to the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program
- Access to the Amex Offers program
- Takeoff 15: 15% off when using miles for award travel
- Access to Delta Stays credit for hotel purchases
Consider Using Kudos
While the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers excellent benefits for Delta flyers, savvy cardholders know that maximizing credit card rewards often requires using the right card for each purchase. This is where Kudos can help elevate your rewards strategy.
Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that automatically recommends the best credit card to use for each online purchase. For Delta loyalists with multiple cards, Kudos can help identify when to use your Delta Platinum for 3X categories and when another card in your wallet might offer better rewards.
The extension works with over 15,000 stores and can help you multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events. By using Kudos alongside your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you can ensure you're always earning the maximum possible rewards on every purchase.
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card delivers substantial value for regular Delta flyers who can utilize its benefits. The companion certificate, checked bag benefits, and accelerated miles earning can easily outweigh the annual fee for the right user.
However, the card makes the most sense if you fly Delta at least 3-4 times per year, can use the companion certificate, and will take advantage of the statement credits and bonus categories. If you're not loyal to Delta or fly infrequently, a more flexible travel rewards card might better suit your needs.
For those who value Delta-specific perks and have good to excellent credit, this card offers a compelling package that enhances the travel experience while helping accumulate miles for future award travel. When paired with smart tools like Kudos to optimize all your credit card rewards, the Delta Platinum can be a powerful addition to your financial strategy.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card FAQ
What credit score do I need for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?
Most successful applicants have good to excellent credit scores, typically 670 or higher. American Express considers your credit history, income, and existing relationship with Amex when evaluating applications.
How does the companion certificate work?
The companion certificate is issued after your card renewal each year and allows you to book a domestic main cabin round-trip flight for a companion by paying only the taxes and fees (which are capped at $80). The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue and must be booked through Delta's website or phone reservations.
Can I use SkyMiles for international travel?
Yes, Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its partners to destinations worldwide. The Takeoff 15 benefit gives you 15% off when using miles for award travel, making international redemptions more affordable.
Does the card offer lounge access?
Unlike the Delta Reserve card, the Platinum card doesn't include complimentary Delta Sky Club access. However, cardholders can purchase day passes to Delta Sky Clubs for $50 per visit when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
How do I earn Medallion status faster with this card?
The card helps you earn Medallion status in two ways: First, it provides an MQD waiver when you spend $25,000 in a calendar year (for Silver, Gold, and Platinum status). Second, you can earn additional MQMs through high spending thresholds, accelerating your path to status.
Is the annual fee worth it?
For Delta loyalists who fly several times per year, the annual fee can be easily offset by the companion certificate, checked bag benefits (which save $60 per round-trip), statement credits, and accelerated miles earning. If you utilize these benefits, the card provides value well beyond its annual fee.
How does the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program benefit work?
Cardholders receive complimentary Hertz Five Star® status, which includes upgrades, bonus points, and expedited service. You must enroll in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards account and link it to your Delta SkyMiles account to enjoy these benefits.
What are the rates and fees for this card?
The card has a $250 annual fee and a variable APR based on your creditworthiness. There are no foreign transaction fees, but late payment and returned payment fees may apply. For the most current rates and fees information, check the offer terms on the American Express website.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
