This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Visit our Advertising Policy page for more details.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
When it comes to a credit card that offers the best value for its annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a definite front-runner. It certainly isn't the cheapest card, with a $250 annual fee. But as we illustrate below, the added value from benefits and discounts means that this annual expenditure can end up saving you money on services and travel products you are already using.
The headline benefit for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the Annual Companion Certificate, this perk will cover the cost of a round-trip domestic flight in economy class for a travel companion. This benefit alone could save you hundreds of dollars even when you factor in the annual fee!
If you and your partner regularly fly Delta, then the Companion Certificate alone could be a reason for you to apply for a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. However, there are a lot of other benefits to consider if you are undecided about whether this is the best card for you.
Below we will give you a clear breakdown of everything you need to know about the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. We will talk about its benefits and give you the information you need to decide whether this is the type of card you should apply for.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Experienced Users
50,000 Miles
A Breakdown of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a co-branded card produced in partnership between Amex and Delta Airlines. The annual fee for the cardholder is $250 each year, and you can enjoy the following benefits if you apply:
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) once you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of opening your account.
- 3 air miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases.
- 3 air miles for each dollar you spend with hotels directly.
- 2 miles per dollar on restaurant purchases.
- 2 miles for each dollar you spend in US Supermarkets.
- A mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases you make with the card.
How Much Are Delta Air Miles Worth?
Delta Airmiles are worth between 1 and 1.5 cents each. However, you can maximize the value of each mile by looking for available redemptions which work out to more than this per mile spent.
What Are The Other Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?
- Annual Companion Certificate which allows for one domestic round trip in the domestic main cabin for a travel companion. (Not including taxes and fees.)
- Your first checked bag is free for yourself and up to 8 other passengers who are on the same reservation.
- 20% savings on your eligible in-flight purchases.
- Priority Boarding on your Delta flights.
- Global Entry or TSA Precheck Fee Credit.
You Can Earn extra MQMs by Spending Certain Amounts
You can earn up to 20,000 MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) after you spend $25,000 on eligible purchases within one calendar year.
Earn another 10,000 MQMs after you spend $50,000 within the same calendar year.
Reasons To Consider The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
So, now we've run down the benefits and opportunities for earning air miles. But how does this card provide value exceeding the annual fee and how do you know if the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card would be a good fit for you and your travel lifestyle?
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Companion Certificate
Each time you renew your card membership you will be rewarded with a Companion Certificate. This will cover one domestic round trip for a companion in the main cabin who is traveling on the same itinerary as you.
Yes, there are fees and taxes to be considered, but these are capped at $80. If you use this strategically and apply it to the flights during peak travel periods - you could save up to $1,000 each year on flights. This means that the $550 annual fee expense is definitely worth it if you and your partner regularly travel.
Platinum Delta Card Owners Can Work Towards Elite Status
Using the Platinum Delta American Express card can help you get closer to elite flying status more effectively than a lot of other rival airline cards. You can earn 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first six months of opening your account.
If you spend $25,000 on your card within the calendar year you will be rewarded with 20,000 MQMs. $50,000 spent on purchases with your card during the same year will yield an extra 10,000 Medallion Qualification miles.
How Many MQMs do you Need to Achieve Elite Status?
To achieve silver medallion elite status, you need 25,000 MQMs, Gold needs 50,000 MQMs, and Platinum Medallion status needs 75,000 MQMs. Diamond elite status requires 125,000 MQMs.
So, if you apply for a Delta Platinum American Express card, you can build your way up to elite status with each year of everyday spending (if you regularly spend that amount each year anyway.)
What Do You Need to Think About Before Applying For a Platinum Delta Amex Card?
Before you apply for a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, make sure to take the time to think about whether the benefits apply to your current spending.
The main selling point of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the terrific saving you could make on round-trip tickets for a traveling companion each year. If you use this offer strategically you could make a saving of approximately $450 once you factor in the annual fee.
You can also enjoy up to $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Pre-check membership, and a bonus of 50,000 air miles when you sign up. Making this a great value card for those who spend a lot on flights each year.
To make sure the card is offering value to you, think about how often you travel and whether you would be making an overall saving by investing in the card. Frequent travelers are likely to find that the annual fee is covered by their savings. But if you don't take regular flights which take advantage of all the possible savings, then it may prove less valuable to you than others.
If you are a frequent flyer, then a 20,000 bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) are certainly an attractive benefit, but are you currently spending $25,000 with credit cards? If not, then you need to question whether this is the right credit card for you.
You also need to consider that, in contrast to some other premium travel cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card doesn't include complimentary lounge access. Instead, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card enables you to buy day passes to Delta Sky Cub lounges at $39 per person (non-cardholders are unable to buy day passes at all!)
Summary - Why Should I Get a Platinum Delta Amex Card?
If you are going to make good use of the annual Companion Certificate and accompanying benefits to save money either on regular travel or one big dream vacation each year, then the Platinum Delta card could be a great fit for you.
The amount of SkyMiles Platinum American Express rewards you for spending can also be a big draw - as long as you are regularly spending the threshold amounts. Overall, the Platinum Delta Amex Card should be a great fit for those looking to make savings on their air travel throughout the year.
