Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Quick Snapshot
- Annual Fee: $350
- APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Rewards: 3X miles on Delta & hotels, 2X on restaurants & supermarkets, 1X on everything else
- Bonus: 60,000–90,000 bonus miles (offers vary)
- Best For: Frequent Delta travelers wanting companion certificates and premium perks
- Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (700+)
Overview
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card strikes the perfect balance between premium benefits and manageable annual fees for serious Delta flyers. With 3X miles on Delta and hotel bookings, a valuable annual companion certificate, and $240 in statement credits, this card delivers exceptional value for travelers who fly Delta frequently and want more than basic perks.
Built for travelers who prioritize Delta but don't need the ultra-premium benefits of the Reserve card, the Platinum offers the sweet spot of elevated earning rates, meaningful travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, and valuable credits that effectively reduce the annual fee. The companion certificate alone can save hundreds on domestic flights, making this card a standout for couples and families.
APR Breakdown
- Purchase APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Balance Transfer APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Cash Advance APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
- Penalty APR: None
Note: While this card allows balances, paying in full maximizes rewards value and avoids interest charges.
Benefits Overview
Travel Benefits
- Free First Checked Bag: Save $35 per bag per person on domestic Delta flights (up to 9 passengers)
- Priority Boarding: Board in Main Cabin 1 on Delta flights
- Annual Companion Certificate: After renewal, receive a certificate for a domestic round-trip companion ticket (taxes/fees apply, typically $75–$150)
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
- Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs): Earn MQDs on card purchases to help achieve Medallion Status
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
- Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage for qualified delays
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Protection for qualified trip disruptions
- Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage worldwide
- Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage for qualified accidents
Everyday Benefits
- Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
- Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties
- Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
- Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
- Free Employee Cards: Add authorized users at no cost
Lifestyle Benefits
- $120 Resy Credit: $10 monthly credit for Resy purchases ($120 annually)
- $120 Rideshare Credit: $10 monthly credit for Lyft or Uber purchases ($120 annually)
- 20% In-Flight Savings: On eligible Delta in-flight purchases
- Amex Experiences: Access to exclusive events and experiences
Rewards & Points
- 3X SkyMiles on Delta purchases
- 3X SkyMiles on eligible hotel bookings
- 2X SkyMiles at restaurants worldwide
- 2X SkyMiles at U.S. supermarkets
- 1X mile on all other purchases
Redemption Options:
- Book Delta award flights starting at 6,500 miles one-way for domestic travel
- Upgrade to Comfort+ or First Class using miles
- Book Delta Vacations packages
- Redeem for premium cabin international flights
- Donate miles to charitable causes
- Transfer miles to other SkyMiles members (fees apply)
Miles never expire as long as you have activity in your SkyMiles account every 24 months.
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000–90,000 bonus miles (offers vary) after meeting minimum spend requirements in your first few months of Card Membership.
Value: 60,000–90,000 SkyMiles is typically worth $600–$1,200 in Delta award flights, or potentially more for premium cabin redemptions. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Fees Summary
- Annual Fee: $350
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of transferred amount (minimum $5)
- Cash Advance Fee: 5% of cash advance amount (minimum $10)
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
Who This Card Is Best For
Ideal For
- Frequent Delta flyers who take 4+ Delta flights per year
- Couples and families who maximize the companion certificate value
- Medallion Status seekers earning MQDs through card spend
- Hotel bookers who benefit from 3X miles on hotel stays
- Lyft/Uber and Resy users who maximize the $240 in annual credits
- Those wanting TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursement
- International travelers benefiting from no foreign transaction fees
- Travelers who check bags saving $70+ per flight
Not Good For
- Infrequent Delta flyers (less than 3–4 flights per year)
- Solo travelers who don't benefit from companion certificates
- Those wanting Sky Club access (only available on Reserve card)
- Non-Delta flyers who prefer airline flexibility
- Light spenders who can't justify the $350 annual fee
- Those who don't use Resy or rideshare apps regularly
- Balance carriers (high APR makes this expensive)
Key Pros & Cons
Pros
- Annual companion certificate can save $200–$500 on domestic flights
- $240 in annual credits ($120 Resy + $120 rideshare) effectively reduces fee to $110
- 3X earning on Delta and hotels maximizes travel spending
- Free checked bags save $70+ per round-trip for couples
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit saves $100 every 4 years
- Priority boarding on all Delta flights
- MQDs earned help achieve Medallion Status faster
- No foreign transaction fees for international travel
- Comprehensive travel protections included
- 20% savings on in-flight purchases
Cons
- $350 annual fee requires active use to justify
- Companion certificate has restrictions and blackout dates
- Companion certificate taxes/fees typically cost $75–$150
- No airport lounge access (unlike Reserve card)
- Credits require specific merchants (Resy, Lyft/Uber)
- 3X earning rate is good but not exceptional
- SkyMiles are tied to Delta only (no transfer partners)
- Must renew card to receive companion certificate each year
- APR is high if you carry a balance
- Some redemptions offer poor value per mile
Alternatives to Consider
| Card | Best For | Annual Fee | Rewards | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex | Ultra-premium Delta benefits | $650 | 3X Delta, Sky Club access | Excellent |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex | Budget-friendly Delta card | $0 first year, then $150 | 2X Delta/dining/groceries | Good+ |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Premium travel with flexibility | $550 | 3X dining/travel, transfer partners | Excellent |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards | Premium travel card alternative | $395 | 2X everything, lounge access | Excellent |
How the Rewards Add Up
Example Annual Value
If you spend $35,000 per year on typical expenses:
| Category | Annual Spend | Reward Rate | Miles Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta flights | $5,000 | 3X | 15,000 |
| Hotels | $3,000 | 3X | 9,000 |
| Restaurants | $7,000 | 2X | 14,000 |
| U.S. supermarkets | $6,000 | 2X | 12,000 |
| Other purchases | $14,000 | 1X | 14,000 |
| Total Miles | $35,000 | — | 64,000 |
Benefits Value:
- Companion certificate: $250–$400
- Free checked bags (6 round-trips): $420
- Resy credits: $120
- Rideshare credits: $120
- TSA PreCheck (amortized): $25/year
- Priority boarding: ~$150 value
- 20% in-flight savings: ~$60
- Total Benefits: ~$1,145–$1,295
Net Annual Fee: $350 - $1,145 in benefits = effectively -$795 (significant profit if you maximize benefits)
Total Value: 64,000 SkyMiles (worth $640–$900 in Delta flights) + $1,145 in benefits = $1,785–$2,045 in total value, minus $350 annual fee = $1,435–$1,695 net value.
Should You Get This Card?
You Should Get It If...
- You fly Delta 4+ times per year
- You regularly travel with a companion who can use the certificate
- You frequently check bags and value priority boarding
- You use Resy and rideshare services regularly
- You spend heavily on hotels and can maximize 3X earning
- You're working toward Delta Medallion Status
- You want TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement
- You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
- You can justify the $350 fee with credits and benefits
You Should Skip It If...
- You fly Delta less than 3–4 times per year
- You travel solo and won't use companion certificates
- You don't use Resy or rideshare apps ($240 value lost)
- You want airport lounge access (only on Reserve)
- You prefer airline flexibility over Delta loyalty
- You only travel with carry-on bags
- You carry balances month-to-month (high APR)
- You prefer transferable points over airline-specific miles
- You can't justify the higher annual fee vs. Gold card
Apply Now
Apply for Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.
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