Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Review: Benefits for Frequent Flyers

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card is worth a look for loyal Delta flyers. The co-branded airline card is a home run for individuals who regularly fly with Delta Air Lines and need a boost to reach elite status, as you’ll receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each year. Plus, you’ll earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases made with your card. A large welcome offer can potentially cover several award flights with Delta or partner airlines.

At $350, the annual fee is expensive, but the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card offers a handful of benefits to help you recoup the upfront cost. The card provides the first checked bag free on Delta flights booked with your card for you and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. At $70 on a round-trip per person, the baggage perk is valuable enough to cover the annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card includes airline benefits like an annual companion certificate, in-flight discounts and a 15% discount on Delta award flights.

This is a card to consider if you do most of your flying on Delta. For more elite airline benefits and perks, you may want to consider a top-tier co-branded card like the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card.

• Generous welcome offer

  The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card comes with a large welcome offer for cardholders who meet its spending requirements.

  You can earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Miles are worth approximately 1.1 cents, depending on how you redeem them, making the welcome offer worth around $660.

• Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases

  The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers because of its high earning rate with the airline. It’s also a solid card for foodies, whether you prefer to dine out or prepare meals in the comfort of your own home.

  You’ll 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 and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

• Redeem miles for a good value

  Delta SkMiles are a valuable currency, and you can stretch them a long way, depending on how you use them. You can redeem miles several ways, but they’re worth the most when booking award flights through the airline. We estimate that SkyMiles are worth around 1.5 cents per mile, with an especially good value on international and business class flights.

• Elite status boost

  Cardholders who enroll in the Delta SkyMiles program can get a big boost toward Delta Medallion status, which unlocks access to additional perks like:

  • Free upgrades
  • Priority check-in
  • Boarding and security screening
  • Waived baggage fees
  • Other airline and partner benefits

  Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card cardholders receive $2,500 MQDs each Medallion Qualification year. This can get you halfway toward Silver status with Delta, which requires $5,000 MQDs.

• Annual companion certificate

  Cardholders receive a main cabin round-trip companion certificate to select destinations each year after card renewal. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.

• First checked bag free on Delta flights

  Primary cardholders receive the first checked bag free for themselves and up to nine eligible passengers on the same reservation. That’s a savings of up to $70 per person on round-trip flights. If you fly Delta frequently or with other people, this one card benefit may offer enough value alone to justify the card’s annual fee.

• 15% off on Delta award flights

  The card also includes an automatic discount on Delta Award flights that can help you stretch your miles farther. You’ll get 15% off on eligible award flights with Delta when booked through delta.com or the Fly Delta App. The discount only applies to the miles portion of award tickets and doesn’t apply to taxes or fees. The discount is not available for partner-operated flights.

• Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit

  Cardholders can receive a statement credit to cover application fees for select trusted traveler programs, like TSA Precheck and Global Entry. Upon enrollment, you can receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.

• High annual fee

  At $350, the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card‘s annual fee is higher than the average airline credit card. The card offers enough value for individuals who take advantage of the card’s perks, but the upfront cost may be higher than you want to spend to have a card. If this is the case, you may want to check out the lower fee Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card or the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card.

  *To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card please click here.
  *To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card, please click here.

• Rewards are limited to Delta

  As a cobranded airline card, most of the benefits and rewards of the card are tied to Delta. If your goal is to earn rewards for free flights without loyalty to a specific airline, a general travel card like the American Express^® Gold Card may be a better choice.

• Limited travel protections

  This card doesn’t come with all the travel protections you’d expect from an airline card. You do get baggage insurance¹, secondary car rental loss and damage insurance² and extended warranty protection³, though. However, the card lacks trip interruption insurance and baggage delay reimbursement, for example.

  The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card offers the same protections plus trip cancellation and interruption insurance⁵ and cell phone protection⁶. The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card (see rates & fees) comes with more benefits, including primary rental car insurance.

• No complimentary Sky Club access

  Airport lounges provide a comfortable space away from the noise of the airport to relax and enjoy elevated amenities like private restrooms and complimentary snacks and beverages. Unfortunately, while the card offers discounted Sky Club access, you still have to pay $50 per person to enter the lounge.

  If Sky Club access is a must for you, you should check out the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card or The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

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| Disclosures

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Apply Now

on American Express's secure site

Rates & Fees

|Terms Apply

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR 20.24%-29.24% Variable

Annual Fee $650

Rewards Rate Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.… Read More

Highlights

• Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
• Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight 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.
• $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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.
• With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping when you fly with Delta.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $650 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.

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

660 720 850

Good / Excellent

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The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is geared towards Delta loyalists who want access to luxury benefits. The card carries a $650 annual fee, so it’s not for the casual traveler. But it could be a great choice for those who fly Delta often and will take advantage of its elite perks, including complimentary Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access.

Like the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, it comes with an annual companion certificate. Other card perks include the first checked bag free, complimentary and priority upgrades and various discounts and travel protections.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Apply Now

on American Express's secure site

Rates & Fees

|Terms Apply

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee $695

Rewards Rate 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. Terms apply.… Read More

Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
• 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 Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

660 720 850

Good / Excellent

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Show Detailsfor Citi Double Cash Card

If you’re looking for luxury travel benefits and more flexible rewards not limited to one airline, consider The Platinum Card^® from American Express. The card gains you entry to the American Express Membership Rewards program and a host of redemption options. You can transfer points to more than 15 airline and hotel partner programs, including Delta SkyMiles.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express has a $695 annual fee, among the highest you’ll find, but it comes with more than a handful of annual credits that can make up for that fee. Also, among its plethora of luxury travel benefits, eligible card members get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Delta Sky Club lounges (subject to visit limitations).

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

How Does LendingTree Get Paid? How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

| Disclosures

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

Apply Now

on American Express's secure site

Rates & Fees

|Terms Apply

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

Intro Purchase APR N/A

Regular Purchase APR 20.24%-29.24% Variable

Annual Fee $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Rewards Rate Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.… Read More

Highlights

• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold 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.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• 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.

Recommended Credit

Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion

660 720 850

Good / Excellent

Get my free score

Show Detailsfor Citi Double Cash Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card has a lower barrier of entry than the $350-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card. It’s perfect for travelers who prefer flying with Delta but want to avoid the larger fees of premium co-branded cards. The card comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

The card offers some of the same benefits as the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card. You’ll get 15% off award flights booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta App, 20% off in-flight purchases and your first checked bag free. You’ll also have a chance to earn up to a $100 annual Delta Stays credit on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. Plus, it comes with a $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 in card spending each calendar year.

If you want to earn miles on your spending while getting a boost to elite status, and you can take advantage of its airline perks, then the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card could be the one for you. However, you won’t get complimentary lounge access with the card.

If you aren’t loyal to one airline and want to earn more points per dollar spent on airfare and hotels, then The Platinum Card^® from American Express may be a better fit.