Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Credit Card Review

Frequent users of Delta Airlines who are looking for a boost to elite status will want to check out the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum Card.

A nice welcome bonus and the Delta Companion Certificate make this card a viable choice for frequent flyers.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Companion Certificate
• Nice welcome bonus
• Priority boarding
• Free bag check

Cons:

• Fees and taxes on Companion Certificate
• Annual fee

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Review

• Annual Fee: $250
• Regular APR: 15.74% to 24.74% Variable
• Rewards: Earn 3x miles on Delta Vacations and flights, 2x miles on restaurant and supermarket purchases, and 1x miles on eligible purchases.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Sign-Up Bonus: 90,000 Bonus Miles
• Category: Travel/ Rewards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Rewards

Earning Rewards

You can earn an unlimited number of SkyMiles with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. This flexibility and earning potential is one of the reasons why this card is considered one of the best travel credit cards.

Limited time welcome bonus: After spending $3,000 on the new card during the first three months, you can earn 90,000 award miles and 10,000 MQMs.

Keep in mind that American Express’s rules regarding its welcome bonus are very strict.

For instance, if you previously got your welcome bonus on the SkyMiles Platinum Card, you are not eligible to get the same benefit again.

Redeeming Rewards

When redeeming miles, the loyalty program through Delta isn’t exactly user-friendly. The SkyMiles frequent flyer program no longer lists award charts via its website.

It is difficult for dynamic pricing models to find value in the plan by increasing the redemption rate with demand.

In addition, one of your best chances to redeem your SkyMiles is to go through the SkyMiles Deals program.

You will find that during these sales periods, the exchange rate for a particular destination is lower than normal.

And there have been times when sales were offered for flights to places like Australia, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

Delta Air Lines is part of SkyTeam’s alliance. As such, you can use SkyMiles to reserve award seats via trips run by other members of SkyTeam, including but not limited to:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• Garuda Indonesia
• Vietnam Airlines
• China Airlines
• Aeromexico
• Korean Air
• Air France
• Aeroflot
• Alitalia
• KLM

Other methods of using the SkyMiles program that isn’t as lucrative include registering for a membership with Delta Sky Club and paying with miles.

However, such methods aren’t really recommended due to the reduction in value per mile — it’s only reduced by 1 cent, making it much lower than the kind of value you get when you redeem for a flight.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Features and Benefits

Earn 3x Miles on Delta Purchases, Hotels, & Dining

You earn a total of three points for every dollar you spend at hotels worldwide and eligible Delta purchases. Moreover, you can earn a total of two points for every dollar you spend at restaurants worldwide.

Free First Checked Bag

Check-in one piece of luggage for you and as many as eight companions on Delta flights free of charge, saving $30 per piece of luggage both ways.

Priority Boarding

Here, the cardholder and as many as eight additional passengers in the same booking may board along with the group, Main Cabin 1.

Sky Club Access

If you hold a boarding pass with either Delta partner or same-day Delta, you can enter the Delta Sky Club VIP room at a discounted price of $39 per person.

Travel Insurance

The card offers car rental insurance (loss and damage), luggage trip delay insurance, and a 24/7 Delta Platinum global assistance telephone hotline.

Low Annual Fee:

For only $250/Year, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is one of the cheapest luxurious travel credit cards.

MQM Bonus

Get 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 with the card.

How Does the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Compare to Other Travel Cards?

In the Delta credit card series, Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum Card is your second-best option in terms of rewards and perks. It provides a lot of nice benefits and does not have the highest annual fee.

When it comes to finding a Delta card with a different combination of benefits, you have many to choose from.

#1. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has its limitations but remains a good offer for the money.

You pay an annual fee of $99 after the first free year. You will receive 2x miles when you make purchases at restaurants and supermarkets based in the United States.

In addition to earning SkyMiles, the points earned with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card can also be used to book flights with Delta at 1 cent per mile. There is a cap of $50 that you can deduct from the total cost of your flight.

And if you spend at least $10,000 in a year using your Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Card, you’ll get $100 in Delta Flight Credits that you can use on later travel.

This feature can pay for a domestic trip or go toward vacation travel, for example. There’s no lounge access, so keep that in mind as you compare cards.

#2. Platinum Card® from American Express vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

American Express’s Platinum Card is one of the most sought after, and for a good reason. It’s especially good for travelers, as you can earn 100,000 points in Membership Rewards by spending $6,000 in the first six months.

And when you book flights directly with the card via AmEx Travel or airlines, you can maximize your earnings by five times.

The lounge access afforded by the Platinum Card is another reason cardholders are willing to pay the steep $695 annual fee.

What’s more, you can earn up to $200 in credits that you can then use toward things like baggage fees and much more.

In addition, you can even earn 10x points when you make an eligible purchase with your Platinum Card.

To qualify for this incredible rate, you have to spend at least $25,000 during your first six months of holding the card.

As you can see, the base Platinum Card is best suited to big spenders who plan on frequently flying throughout the year.

Thanks to this card and its benefits, you can look forward to a much more enjoyable experience every time you fly.

You get the same benefit with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card in the lounge access perk, but you have to pay extra for it.

#3. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card might not be as “premium” compared to the Reserve card, but it is an upgraded version of other siblings.

American Express’s Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is ideal for travelers who like to visit Sky Clubs during multiple flights with Delta.

Moreover, this card provides passengers seeking a more relaxing airport experience by offering access to the Delta Sky Club (compared to a membership value of $545 per year). But with an annual fee of $550, the Reserve card is not cheap.

However, you only need to pay for the equivalent Sky Club membership. With a credit card, you’ll also get additional benefits each year, including checked baggage and a companion certificate. And when you renew your card each year, you can use it toward eligible flights.

#4. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

If Delta is not the best carrier at your airport, you should seriously consider using other airline cards, such as Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

When you use this card, it is free of charges for the first checked baggage on domestic flights (up to 5 passengers can be carried in the same itinerary), and no foreign transaction fee is charged.

After spending $20,000 using the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, you will get a $125 discount on American Airlines flights.

And although you don’t get any kind of boost toward elite status, the annual cost is lower than that of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card. So, if you spend a lot and travel often, the card is likely to be a good fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express a Good Credit Card?

Yes, particularly for flyers who travel with Delta at least twice a year. Plus, getting lounge access for just $39 is a nice bonus. As such, you can look forward to more enjoyable flights with minimal cost.

What Credit Score Do You Need for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?

Good to Excellent, or between 670 and 850.

What Is the Annual Fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?

$250.

Is it worth upgrading to the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?

If you fly with a companion at least once a year, upgrading may be well worth it. Plus, you will benefit from lounge access, albeit discounted. Lounge access isn’t available through the Gold card, so upgrading to Platinum could make the difference in you having a comfortable flight, and owning one of the best rewards credit cards on the market.

Can I upgrade my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?

Yes.

Bottom Line: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Review

Determining whether the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is right for you comes down to the Companion Certificate. If you can’t use it, you should look for a travel credit card that suits your needs.

But those who would benefit from the Companion Certificate will likely find it to be a worthwhile investment.