**Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: An In-Depth Review**
If you frequently fly with Delta and want to improve your travel experience without paying the high fee associated with the Reserve card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card could be the perfect option for you. With an annual fee of $350, this card provides numerous benefits that can greatly enhance your Delta travel experience and assist you in attaining Medallion status more effectively.
### Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Summary
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers a range of advantages aimed at making your journey more rewarding. Below are some essential features:
– **Welcome Bonus:** Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after making $4,000 in eligible purchases during the first 6 months. Offer expires on 10/29/2025.
– **Earning Rates:**
– 3X Miles on Delta purchases and hotel reservations.
– 2X Miles at restaurants globally and supermarkets in the U.S.
– 1X Miles on all other expenditures.
– **Companion Certificate:** Get a Companion Certificate for a Delta Main round-trip flight annually upon renewing your card. Taxes and fees apply.
– **Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD):** Accumulate $2,500 MQD with MQD Headstart every year and 1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card.
– **Travel Credits:**
– $120 statement credit for application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
– Up to $120 Resy and Rideshare credits each year.
– **Additional Advantages:**
– 15% discount on award travel redemptions for Delta flights.
– First checked bag at no cost.
### How to Utilize Delta SkyMiles
Delta’s variable pricing indicates that the miles needed for a flight fluctuate with the cash price. While you can redeem miles at a value of 1 cent per mile, it’s usually more beneficial to use them for award flights. The 15% discount on award redemptions increases the worth of your miles. Being flexible with travel dates and keeping an eye on award sales can lead to superior deals.
### Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Worth It?
For those who often fly Delta and are aiming for Medallion status, this card delivers significant value. The companion certificate, TSA PreCheck credit, and improved earning rates can comfortably balance out the annual fee. Nonetheless, if lounge access is important to you, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
### Advantages and Disadvantages
**Advantages:**
– Annual companion certificate.
– MQD accumulation through spending.
– Enhanced earn rates on Delta and hotel transactions.
– TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit.
– Complimentary checked bag for you and your companions.
– 15% discount on award flights.
**Disadvantages:**
– Elevated annual fee of $350.
– No access to Sky Club lounges.
– Companion certificate restricted to domestic main cabin usage.
In summary, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a superb choice for regular Delta flyers looking to enrich their travel experience and earn Medallion status more effectively. For those who want lounge access, the Reserve card may be a more suitable option.