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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is one of four personal co-branded Delta cards offered by American Express. It provides substantial value for cardmembers who can take advantage of the perks and benefits the card offers.
Some of its highlights include a Delta Main Cabin companion certificate each account anniversary for a round-trip ticket within the U.S., the Caribbean, or Central America, plus a free first checked bag and discounts on eligible award redemptions. The card also lets you accelerate Delta status through spending, offers a statement credit for airport security program application fees, and includes annual travel and dining credits.
However, with a $350 annual fee (Rates & Fees), it's critical that you take advantage of benefits repeatedly to justify the cost of keeping this card in your wallet year after year.
So, are the benefits worth it? Is this the right Delta card for you? Let's take a closer look at the Delta Platinum Amex to find out.
- Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $350 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar at hotels
- 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
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Delta Platinum Amex Pros
- First checked bag free, priority boarding, and 15% savings when using miles on select Delta flights.
- Annual companion certificate, good for Delta Main Cabin flights.
- Significant value of annual travel and dining credits.
- No foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees).
Delta Platinum Amex Cons
- $350 annual fee (Rates & Fees).
- Delta SkyMiles can be hard to redeem for outsized value.
- Monthly credits may be hard to utilize every month.
Delta Platinum Amex Welcome Offer
If you're a new and eligible applicant for the Delta Platinum Amex, you can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles – 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases with your new card, plus 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the card, both within the first 6 months of account opening (offer ends 04/01/2026).
On average, AwardWallet users redeem Delta SkyMiles for 1.34¢ apiece. That makes the full value of the welcome offer worth approximately $1,340 towards award travel booked through Delta.
For an idea of how this welcome offer compares to what the Delta Platinum Amex has provided in the past, check out our list of past credit card offers from American Express.
Delta Platinum Amex Earning Rates
The Delta Platinum Amex has a handful of bonus categories. Here's how you'll earn SkyMiles on various kinds of purchases:
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar at hotels
- 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Some cards can reward you more handsomely, depending on what you're buying. Consult our list of the best credit cards for each spending category to see if another card better aligns with your spending.
Delta Platinum Amex Benefits
The Delta Platinum Amex is best suited to those who regularly fly with Delta and want perks typically reserved for those with elite status. It's also well-suited to those who want perks without the much higher annual fee levied by Delta's premium credit cards.
Let's look at the card's benefits one by one to help you understand their value.
Annual Travel and Dining Credits
Delta Platinum Amex cardholders can take advantage of three separate travel and dining credits:
- Up to $120 Resy credit (available as $10 per month): get up to $120 in statement credits to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
- Up to $120 rideshare credit (available as $10 per month): earn up to $120 in statement credits after using your card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Up to $150 Delta Stays credit: get an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your card to book prepaid hotels worldwide or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
If rideshare is a common expense, this is a credit that can be valued close to face value. For the others, make sure you understand if you'll get much value from them.
$120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit
Cardholders can receive access either to a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck application fee.
MQD headstart and boost
Cardholders can also receive a $2,500 MQD boost to get closer to status each Medallion Year. This is a helpful addition to earning $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases spent on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, providing a path to Delta Medallion status through card spending.
Related: What Is a Medallion Qualification Dollar? How to Earn MQDs and Unlock Delta Status
15% discount on Delta award travel
Delta offers a 15% award discount to cardmembers of nearly all Amex Delta cards — both personal and business credit cards.
Cardholders get the 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights. All you have to do is log into your Delta SkyMiles account and redeem your award through Delta's website or the Fly Delta app.
The discount is automatically reflected in the award search results for eligible flights, and it does not apply to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
First checked bag free
Modern air travel can be painful with all its add-on fees — levied on everything from checked bags to onboard food. Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers can avoid some of these fees when flying Delta thanks to getting the first checked bag free of charge.
In addition to the primary cardmember, this benefit extends to up to eight additional people on your same reservation, as your Delta SkyMiles number is listed on the reservation. For large families, this benefit alone can provide immense savings.
Annual companion certificate
The annual certificate allows another passenger to fly with you free of charge, paying only government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $250. Seats are limited to specific fare booking classes, and only the primary traveler accrues miles for the companion fare. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply, and Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit. However, companions traveling on a Delta Companion Certificate are eligible for complimentary upgrades.
Priority boarding
Delta Platinum Amex cardholders plus companions traveling on the same reservation receive Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights. Priority boarding is granted to a maximum of nine passengers traveling on the same reservation, meaning you and up to eight companions!
In-flight savings
The Delta Platinum Amex entitles cardmembers to 20% off eligible pre-purchased meals plus in-flight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages, and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights. The savings are issued in the form of a statement credit when you charge in-flight purchases to your Delta Platinum Amex.
This benefit doesn't extend to in-flight Wi-Fi purchases, though the good news is that Delta is continuing to roll out free onboard Wi-Fi across its fleet for all SkyMiles members.
Travel and purchase protections
When traveling and making purchases with your Delta Platinum Amex, you may be covered in the following ways:
- Baggage insurance plan: Covers up to $1,250 per person for carry-on or $500 for checked baggage, including up to $250 for high-risk items. This is in excess of coverage provided by your carrier.
- Trip delay insurance: Covers delays of more than 12 hours by a common carrier, with a maximum of $300 per covered trip and no more than two claims in a 12-month period.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: Coverage is secondary and provides coverage of up to $50,000 per rental. If you need primary rental coverage, check out our list of all the cards that offer primary car rental insurance.
- Extended warranty: This coverage adds another year of warranty coverage on an original U.S. manufacturer's warranty of five years or less, up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.
- Purchase protection: Covers purchases made with the card against theft or accidental damage for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date and $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per calendar year. Coverage is limited to $500 in the event of a natural disaster.
- Cell phone protection: Pay your monthly phone bill with your card to receive coverage for repairing damaged phones or replacing a stolen phone, up to $800 per claim. There's a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period, plus a $50 deductible per approved claim.
Redeeming SkyMiles With the Delta Platinum Amex Card
The most obvious use of Delta SkyMiles is for flights. You aren't restricted just to Delta flights, either, as the airline is part of SkyTeam alliance, opening the doors to book flights on Air France, Aeromexico, KLM, Korean Air, and more.
Unfortunately, Delta Air Lines no longer publishes an award chart and uses dynamic award pricing, so expect to fork over more miles when cash fares are high. To remove the mystery of what you might pay for an award booking, we have assembled an unofficial Delta redemption chart.
Application Restrictions
There are several American Express application rules to navigate before you know if you're eligible for a welcome bonus on the Delta Platinum Amex. On the card's application page, we see these terms:
“You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.”
This means there are two ways that you might not be able to earn the bonus on this card:
- Carrying the Delta Reserve now or in the past.
- Having the Delta Platinum Amex now or in the past.
Additionally, American Express only allows you to have five of its credit cards at a time. If you have this many already, you'll need to close one before applying. You're also unlikely to be approved for more than two Amex cards in a 90-day period.
Related: How Can I Receive Welcome Offers From Multiple Delta Amex Cards?
Cards That Compete With the Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can be a worthwhile option for many Delta flyers, but it isn’t the best fit for everyone. If it's not for you, here's a look at other cards you might find more interesting.
- If you want more Delta benefits like lounge access, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. You’ll get access to Delta Sky Club lounges (15 visits per year, with the option to unlock unlimited visits after spending $75,000 on the card) as well as Amex Centurion Lounges. You’ll also continue to enjoy complimentary upgrades, a free checked bag, priority boarding, 15% off award Delta bookings, and faster MQD elite status earning through card spending. Learn more in our full review of the Delta Reserve.
- If you want a Delta credit card with a lower annual fee, the Delta Gold Card may be a better fit. It has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (Rates & Fees), and you can earn a $200 Delta credit through card spending after you make $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year. If the Companion Certificate, MQD boost, and some of the credits offered by the Platinum Delta Amex don’t interest you, this card will likely be your best choice. Learn more in our full review of the Delta Gold Card.
- If you want points you can use with Delta and other airlines, look into the Amex Gold. You’ll earn Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to 20 airline and hotel programs. You’ll also get up to $120 per year in dining credits and Uber Cash (issued as up to $10 per month), along with more flexibility in how you redeem your points. And it comes with several additional benefits and fantastic earning rates. Learn more in our full review of the Amex Gold.
(Terms apply)
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
(Terms apply)
- 4X Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
- 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel booked on amextravel.com
- 1X on other eligible purchases
Related: Which Delta Credit Card Is Right for You? A Breakdown of Benefits & Perks for Each
Final Thoughts
The Delta Platinum Amex is our personal favorite of the co-brand Delta cards. Overall, it splits the difference well between the lower tier Delta Gold Card and the Delta Reserve.
With the opportunity to earn additional MQDs from spending, the card can help boost your chances of reaching Medallion elite status, plus it offers perks like a free checked bag, spending discounts on eligible Delta purchases, an annual companion ticket, and a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
These are quality benefits, but you'll need to use them regularly to offset the $350 annual fee. If you don't check bags and aren't chasing elite status, you might find the fee difficult to justify.
- Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $350 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar at hotels
- 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
In years past using the companion cert was relatively easy. One could reserve flights, that had the correct booking class, 331 days into the future. Now the certs have defined use dates. Before the certs had a use by date, not a travel by date. I get my cert in May. If I try to use the cert in the summer, the booking class for seats is usually not available. I am currently complaining to Amex/Delta about the issue date of my cert. If it isn’t fixed, I will close this card!
In years past using the companion cert was relatively easy. One could reserve flights, that had the correct booking class, 331 days into the future. Now the certs have defined use dates. I get my cert in May. If I try to use the cert in the summer, the booking class for seats is usually not available. I am currently complaining to Amex/Delta about the issue date of my cert. If it isn’t fixed, I will close this card!
Flying to London in October to see Eagles/Jaguars and go around UK.
have miles at both American and Delta. flying from SFO. any advantage to using one over the other? thanks!
Use whichever one costs less.
This was a terrific card until this year’s devaluation of its capacity to facilitate a waiver on the amount of money spent to achieve Diamond Medallion status. The spend requirement went from $25K to $250K.
My Delta Co-Branded Platinum card consequently went from daily use to useless. The account is now downgraded to a “Blue” level, and the card will soon be fed to the shredder.
Thanks for the review!
As Howie said, the annual fee is not waived. However, it’s possible to get $25 off the fee plus an extra 2K miles. By making a purchase on Delta’s website you get a $100 statement credit. My purchase was to buy 2K Delta miles at the somewhat high price of $75. After that my $100 credit kicked in. So I got a total of 72K Delta miles and the annual fee was reduced to $170. ($195+$75, minus $100)
IMHO, 70K bonus miles has to be taken fairly seriously, especially as I like to travel in the pointy part of the plane when going to Europe. 🙂
I am not sure if delta miles are worth earning beyond the sign up bonus.
Thanks for the info
I have this card and also have the delta gold. Is it worth keeping both when it is time to renew? I don’t travel that much maybe 2 or 3 times a year.
If the benefits don’t cover the cost of holding the card then it’s worth considering your options. These cards are best suited to folks regularly traveling Delta that can take advantage of the free checked bags, priority boarding, etc.
Don’t see how this card makes sense at 1 mile per dollar. Sure you get 10k bonus at a 25k spend but that means you’ve given up 25k points on another card that gives 2x per dollar let alone some other cards that give 3 or 5x for some categories. This is a one and done card for the initial signup bonus only then cancel.
signed up 2 years ago and got the bonus! haven’t found a use for the miles though. Thanks!
I have the Gold Delta Skymiles card. I only use it to purchase Delta tickets once or twice a year. I keep this credit card to avoid baggage fees.
Not a bad offer for frequent Delta flyers
We do have this card and enjoy the companion pass and extra perks for spending on it. Wish they would not have made the Diamond status unattainable via spend. 🙁
Lots of appealing things for those that carry everything with them….free checked luggage and priority boarding to get your hand baggage up in the locker before others do!
Exactly the card I’m applying for next.
This appears to be a pretty decent value offer.
I assume the annual fee isn’t waived the first year, since you didn’t mention it. Can the companion certificate be transfered (Is it a code or printable coupon?), or is it tied to your Delta credit card?
Thanks.
The annual fee is not waived. The companion certificate can be used by anyone, however, the fare must be purchased with an American Express card. It is an electronic code.
good review.
The 70K is a good offer. It appears they’ve been trying to boost up the sign in bonuses lately, I recall seeing a 60K on the gold one.
Yeah Amex seems to do 60/70k once a year of late.
Although I might get this Card someday for the sign up bonus, I agree it would be nice to have bonus categories or something to get better value from regular spend. I only travel with a carryon bag that fits under the seat. So waived checked bag fees and priority boarding are not benefits.
So, another article on Delta, interesting.
Gotta get the info out there. We had nothing on this card and given its benefits, it made sense. I say this as a diamond with delta and a million miler.
LTOs for this 70k bonus occur fairly regularly, but that said, it’s still the highest ever offered, AFAIK. Regardless, any time one can earn enough miles for an int’l RT in main cabin, or OW in J, it’s a good sign-up offer.
no objections here.