Detailed review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card by The Points Guy.

Overview of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card from American ExpressThis card is an excellent option for Delta enthusiasts seeking assistance in attaining their elite status. It provides significant benefits, such as an annual domestic companion certificate upon card renewal, the option to buy Sky Club access per visit when traveling with Delta, and one free checked bag on Delta flights. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*The card rating reflects the viewpoint of TPG’s editors and remains independent of the card issuer’s influence.

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The Platinum Delta SkyMiles American Express CardThis is one of the top credit cards for Delta enthusiasts. It offers appealing benefits for dedicated Delta passengers in return for a $350 yearly fee (refer to rates and fees). Perks include an annual companion certificate (for Main Cabin roundtrip flights within the domestic U.S., Caribbean, or Central America each year after card renewal), competitive earning rates, and additional benefits.

In February, Delta updated its credit card offerings, raising annual fees, adding new perks, improving current benefits, and limiting lounge access universally. If you had considered this card before, there are now various changes you should be aware of.

The advised minimum credit score for this card is 670.

The Delta Platinum Amex is an excellent choice for those pursuing Delta Medallion elite status due to its earning scheme for Medallion Qualification Dollars.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Delta Platinum American Express card

Delta Platinum American Express introductory offer

The Delta Platinum AmexYou will earn 85,000 bonus miles if you spend $4,000 on your new card within the first six months.

According to TPG’s assessment, Delta miles are valued at 1.15 cents apiece, making this bonus equivalent to $978. Although it is just 5,000 miles less than the most attractive welcome offer observed, now is an opportune moment to apply for the card.

Nonetheless, you probably won’t qualify for this welcome bonus if you currently have, or have previously had, the Delta Amex Platinum card. Additionally, Amex may review the number of American Express cards you’ve opened and closed, along with other factors, when determining your eligibility for the welcome offer.

Fortunately, American Express will inform you if you do not qualify for a welcome offer, showing a notification shortly after you submit your application. Therefore, make sure to pay attention to any messages or alerts that appear after you click submit.

Related: A comprehensive guide to Amex’s policy on one welcome offer per lifetime restrictions

Benefits of the Delta Platinum American Express Card

The Delta Platinum Amex card provides numerous advantages for Delta passengers, and we will thoroughly examine all of its features and benefits.

Elite status perks

Delta has revamped its credit card program to assist cardholders in attaining elite status using a single metric: Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Holders of the Delta Platinum Amex card earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent, with no cap on the amount of MQDs that can be accrued through credit card expenditures.

Each year, they are also awarded an additional 2,500 MQDs.

Annual companion certificate

The additional main advantage provided by theDelta Platinum AmexAn annual companion certificate is included. This benefit is provided each year following your account renewal.

The Delta companion certificate can be used for round-trip, main cabin flights within the United States that are booked in fare classes L, U, T, X, or V. You will only need to cover taxes and fees for the companion ticket. Please be aware that basic economy tickets (which fall under the E fare class) and most higher-priced economy classes are not included.

This certificate includes travel to all 50 U.S. states (Hawaii and Alaska included), Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

By utilizing this certificate for costly flights, you can effortlessly offset a significant portion (or the entirety) of the card’s yearly fee.

Related: What occurs if you have utilized your companion certificate for a canceled flight?

Other travel perks

The Delta Platinum Amex card provides various additional benefits that might be useful, such as Hertz Five Star status*, an annual Resy statement credit of up to $120 (up to $10 monthly), an annual ride-hailing statement credit of up to $120 (up to $10 monthly), an annual $150 Delta Stays statement credit, a 15% discount on award redemptions for Delta flights, a free first checked bag for up to eight companions on the same flight, priority boarding, a 20% discount on inflight purchases as a statement credit (excluding Wi-Fi purchases), a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years, and no foreign transaction fees (refer to rates and fees for more information). Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Here’s a reworded version of your text:

“Related: Ways to fully utilize the new statement credits on Delta Amex cards.”

Thankfully, Delta links benefits like the checked baggage allowance and priority boarding to your Delta SkyMiles account. Therefore, you don’t have to book flights using your Delta Platinum Amex to enjoy these advantages.

Furthermore, cardholders who do not hold SkyMiles Medallion status are entitled to complimentary upgrades for Delta One (within the U.S.), First Class, and Delta Comfort+ following the upgrades of Medallion Members.

Participation in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is mandatory.

Related: Four reasons why the Amex Platinum could be the perfect credit card for Delta travelers.

Accumulating miles with the Delta Platinum American Express card

You will accumulate Delta SkyMiles with eligible purchases made using the Delta Platinum American Express card. Specifically, you will earn Delta miles with your card in the following manner:

• Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels.
• Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on purchases at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets.
• 1 mile for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases

According to TPG’s valuations, Delta miles are valued at 1.15 cents each. As a result, you’ll effectively get a return of approximately 3.4% on purchases with Delta and at hotels, 2.3% on purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and 1.15% on other purchases. While frequent Delta travelers might appreciate earning bonus SkyMiles on these transactions, these returns are not among the highest available in these spending categories.

Related: 9 Delta SkyMiles destinations worth saving up for

Using miles on the Delta Platinum American Express

Delta’s SkyMiles program is not highly regarded by points and miles enthusiasts. This is primarily because Delta has repeatedly devalued its miles over time and does not provide an official award chart, which can lead to sudden increases in award costs. However, there are still some excellent ways to derive value from the Delta SkyMiles program.

For instance, Delta often has frequent flash sales. Historically, we’ve observed offers such as domestic awards starting at 2,000 SkyMiles one-way, awards to Alaska for as low as 5,000 SkyMiles round-trip, transcontinental awards from 10,000 SkyMiles round-trip, and flights to Europe starting at 16,000 SkyMiles round-trip.

Think about grabbing some excellent deals by utilizing SkyMiles to book flights with Delta’s partner airlines. This includes rewards with SkyTeam members like Air France and Korean Air, along with some non-alliance partners, such as Air Tahiti Nui.

It’s important to note that certain partner awards, such as those with Air Europa, Air Tahiti Nui, Czech Airlines, and Kenya Airways, are not displayed on Delta’s website. To find availability for these awards, you can use ExpertFlyer (a service owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) or consult another SkyTeam member website like Flying Blue before contacting Delta to book these awards.

Scott Mayerowitz, previously the executive director at TPG, frequently makes use of Delta SkyMiles for family trips within the country, capitalizing on flight promotions.

Related: Ways to earn and maximize 100,000 Delta SkyMiles

Which credit cards are comparable to the Delta Platinum Amex?

If you have an interest in theDelta Platinum AmexSince you frequently fly (or plan to fly) with Delta, you might also be interested in these alternatives.

For more choices, take a look at our comprehensive list of top airline credit cards and top American Express credit cards.

For additional information, check out the top American Express credit cards.

Bottom line

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles American Express CardThis card can be a valuable asset in your wallet if Delta is your preferred airline. Although the annual fee might appear steep in contrast to cards with lower annual fees.Delta Gold AmexHowever, you receive valuable benefits in exchange, such as the annual companion certificate, which can offer considerable value.

However, it may be difficult to justify keeping the card if you don’t fly Delta frequently enough to take full advantage of its benefits.

Keep in mind that to optimize your total travel reward strategy, you may want to combine the Delta Platinum card with other cards that provide higher bonus categories for spending.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card from American Express

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For details on rates and fees for the Delta Platinum Amex, please visit this link.
For information on the rates and fees associated with the Delta Gold Amex, please click here.
To view the rates and fees for the Delta Reserve American Express card, please click here.