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Does the Amex Platinum Card Give You Delta Airlines Status?
July 1, 2025
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The American Express Platinum Card® is one of the most prestigious travel credit cards available, offering premium lounge access, hotel elite status, and numerous travel perks. Given American Express's strong partnership with Delta Air Lines—they issue all of Delta's co-branded credit cards—many cardholders wonder if the Amex Platinum Card grants automatic Delta Medallion status.
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The short answer: No. The Amex Platinum Card does not provide automatic Delta Air Lines elite status, nor does it offer a direct pathway to earn Medallion status through card spend.
However, that doesn't mean the card is useless for Delta flyers. Let's break down exactly what Delta-related benefits you DO get with the Amex Platinum Card, how it compares to Delta's co-branded cards, and which cards actually help you achieve Delta Medallion status.
What Delta Benefits the Amex Platinum Card Offers
While the Amex Platinum Card doesn't grant Delta status, it provides two valuable Delta-specific perks that frequent flyers can leverage.
Delta Sky Club Access (10 Visits Per Year)
The most significant Delta benefit on the Amex Platinum Card is complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight.
How it works:
- Receive up to 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs
- Access valid only when flying Delta on the same day
- A "visit" covers a 24-hour period, allowing multiple Sky Club entries across different airports
- After using all 10 visits, additional access costs $50 per visit when purchased with your card
This benefit is particularly valuable considering Delta Sky Club day passes typically cost $59-$79 when purchased separately. If you fly Delta 10 times per year, you're getting $590-$790 in value from this single perk.
Important distinction: This is Sky Club access only—not the broader Centurion Lounge access that Amex Platinum cardholders enjoy globally.
Up to $200 Annual Airline Fee Credit
The Amex Platinum Card includes an annual airline fee credit of up to $200 for incidental charges. If you select Delta as your designated airline, you can use these credits to offset:
- Checked bag fees
- Seat selection charges
- In-flight purchases
- Change fees
- Phone booking fees
Note: This credit covers incidental fees only—not airfare or award ticket taxes/fees. The credits work as statement credits that post after qualifying purchases.
The Amex Platinum vs. Delta Amex Platinum: Clearing Up Confusion
One of the biggest sources of confusion stems from the similar names of two very different cards. Let's clarify:
American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees)
- Annual fee: $895
- Delta benefits: 10 Sky Club visits per year, $200 airline fee credit
- Other benefits: Centurion Lounge access, Hilton Gold status, Marriott Gold status, $200 hotel credit, $200 Uber credit, CLEAR credit, and more
- Does NOT help earn Delta Medallion status
- Terms Apply.
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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates & Fees)
- Annual fee: $350
- Delta benefits: Free first checked bag, priority boarding, 20% inflight savings, annual companion certificate
- MQD benefits: $2,500 MQD Headstart + earn 1 MQD per $20 spent
- DOES help earn Delta Medallion status
- Terms Apply.
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The regular Amex Platinum Card is a premium travel card with broad benefits across airlines and hotels. The Delta Amex Platinum is a co-branded airline card specifically designed to enhance your Delta experience and help you achieve Medallion status.
Which Cards Actually Help You Earn Delta Status?
If earning Delta Medallion status is your goal, you need a Delta-branded American Express card that offers MQD Headstart and MQD Boost benefits.
Cards That Help Earn Delta Status
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates & Fees):
- $2,500 MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year
- Earn 1 MQD for every $20 in card purchases
- Annual fee: $350
- Terms Apply
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (See Rates & Fees):
- $2,500 MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year
- Earn 1 MQD for every $20 in card purchases
- 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year (unlimited after $75,000 annual spend)
- Annual fee: $650
- Terms Apply
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Business versions available: Both cards have business card counterparts with identical MQD earning structures.
How MQD Headstart and Boost Work
Delta uses Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) to determine status eligibility. Here's what you need for each tier:
- Silver Medallion: $6,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $25,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: $35,000 MQDs
MQD Headstart gives you an instant $2,500 MQD credit each year just for being a Delta Platinum or Reserve cardholder. This head start applies toward the next Medallion Year's qualification.
MQD Boost lets you earn 1 MQD for every $20 you spend on your eligible Delta card. For example:
- Spend $50,000 annually = 2,500 additional MQDs
- Combined with $2,500 Headstart = 5,000 total MQDs from card spend alone
Important limit: You can hold up to 4 eligible Delta cards and receive MQD Headstart on each, for a maximum of $10,000 MQDs annually from Headstart benefits alone.
Alternative Ways to Get Delta Status
Beyond credit cards, several paths lead to Delta Medallion status:
Flying and Spending with Delta
The traditional route: earn MQDs by purchasing Delta flights. You earn $1 MQD per $1 spent on ticket prices (excluding taxes and fees). This means you need actual flight spend of:
- $6,000 for Silver Medallion
- $15,000 for Gold Medallion
- $25,000 for Platinum Medallion
- $35,000 for Diamond Medallion
Delta SkyMiles Million Miler Status
Fly 1 million lifetime miles with Delta, and you receive complimentary Medallion status annually for life. Million Miler benefits start at Silver and can reach Diamond levels at higher lifetime mile thresholds.
Centurion® Card from American Express
The ultra-premium American Express Centurion Card (Black Card) includes complimentary Platinum Medallion status for enrolled members. However, you must earn a minimum of $2,500 MQDs annually to qualify for Platinum Medallion Choice Benefits.
Centurion Card considerations:
- Invitation-only card
- $5,000 initiation fee
- $5,000+ annual fee
- High spending requirements
This makes the Centurion Card an expensive route to Delta status for most travelers.
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Other Premium Benefits of the Amex Platinum Card
While the Amex Platinum Card doesn't offer Delta status, it provides automatic elite status with hotel programs and valuable travel perks:
Hotel Elite Status
- Hilton Honors Gold Status: Complimentary upon enrollment, offering room upgrades, bonus points, and food credits
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: Includes 25% points bonus, late checkout, and room upgrade eligibility
Airport Lounge Access Beyond Delta
- Centurion Lounges (30+ locations globally)
- Priority Pass Select membership (1,400+ lounges)
- Plaza Premium lounges
- Escape Lounges when flying Delta
Additional Travel Credits
- $200 Uber Cash annually ($15 per month + $20 in December)
- $200 hotel credit through Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
- $189 CLEAR Plus credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Is the Amex Platinum Card Worth It for Delta Flyers?
The Amex Platinum Card makes sense for Delta flyers who:
- Fly Delta occasionally (5-10 times per year to maximize Sky Club visits)
- Want premium lounge access across multiple airlines, not just Delta
- Value hotel elite status and broad travel benefits
- Don't have a specific goal of earning Delta Medallion status
Skip the Amex Platinum Card if:
- Your primary goal is earning Delta Medallion status
- You fly Delta exclusively and want Delta-specific perks
- You prefer lower annual fees ($350 vs. $895)
- You want a companion certificate and checked bag benefits
In these cases, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum or Reserve American Express Cards provide better value and a direct path to Medallion status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Amex Platinum Card give you any airline status?
No, the Amex Platinum Card does not provide automatic elite status with any airline, including Delta. It does provide complimentary Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold hotel status.
Can you access Delta Sky Club with Amex Platinum?
Yes, Amex Platinum cardholders receive up to 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits per year when traveling on same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flights. After 10 visits, additional access costs $50 per visit.
Which Amex card gives you Delta status?
No Amex card provides automatic Delta status. However, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum and Reserve American Express Cards help you EARN Medallion status through $2,500 annual MQD Headstart and MQD Boost (1 MQD per $20 spent). The American Express Centurion Card provides complimentary Platinum Medallion status for enrolled members.
How many Delta Sky Club visits do you get with Amex Platinum?
Yes, Amex Platinum cardholders receive 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year. Each visit is valid for a 24-hour period and can include multiple Sky Club entries across different airports during your travel day.
Is Amex Platinum better than Delta Platinum card?
No simple answer exists—it depends on your priorities. The Amex Platinum Card ($895 annual fee) offers broader travel benefits including Centurion Lounge access, hotel status, and multiple travel credits. The Delta Platinum Card ($350 annual fee) focuses specifically on Delta benefits and helps you earn Medallion status. Choose based on whether you want broad travel perks or Delta-specific benefits.
The Bottom Line
The Amex Platinum Card is an exceptional premium travel card, but it won't grant you Delta Medallion status. If achieving Delta status is your priority, you're better served by the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum or Reserve American Express Cards, which offer MQD Headstart and Boost benefits.
However, if you value flexibility, global lounge access, hotel elite status, and premium travel perks across multiple airlines, the Amex Platinum Card delivers tremendous value—including 10 annual Delta Sky Club visits that enhance your Delta flying experience.
The smart strategy? Many frequent Delta flyers hold both: a Delta co-branded card to work toward Medallion status, and the Amex Platinum Card for its broad suite of travel benefits and global lounge access. This combination maximizes both your Delta-specific perks and overall travel experience.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some benefits or terms may have changed.
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.
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