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The American Express Delta Platinum Card is a premium credit card that offers a wide range of benefits to frequent flyers. It comes with a hefty annual fee of $550.
This card is designed for travelers who want to earn rewards and enjoy perks such as airport lounge access, free checked bags, and priority boarding.
With the American Express Delta Platinum Card, you can earn 5 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, plus 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
You'll also get a free companion ticket each year, which can be a huge money-saver for families or groups.
Eligibility and Benefits
The American Express Delta Platinum Card has some specific eligibility requirements that you should be aware of. You're not eligible for the welcome offer if you currently have the card, or if you've had the card in the past.
The card is available to those who have had any version of the business Delta Amex cards before. You can read more about Amex's general application restrictions online.
In terms of benefits, the card offers a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles, which covers the cost of the first annual fee. Other Delta Amex Platinum benefits include airline-specific perks and perks like up to $200 each calendar year in airline incidental fee credits, and one free checked bag for each person on the cardholder's reservation on Delta flights.
Here are some of the key benefits you can expect:
- Up to $200 each calendar year in airline incidental fee credits
- One free checked bag for each person on the cardholder's reservation on Delta flights
- Priority boarding so you can settle in sooner and snag space in the overhead compartments
- 15% off Delta award flights
- A 20% discount in the form of a statement credit on Delta inflight purchases
Eligibility
You're not eligible for the welcome offer on the American Express Green Card if you currently have the card or have had it in the past. Additionally, if you have or have had the personal version of the Delta Reserve Amex, you're not eligible either.
However, if you've had any version of the business Delta Amex cards before, you're eligible for this card. The welcome offer on this card is also not available if you have the personal version of the Delta Reserve Amex.
You can read more about Amex's general application restrictions to get a better understanding of their policies. The information on this page has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Earning Elite Status
Having the Platinum Delta Amex Card can give you a head start on earning SkyMiles Medallion elite status.
You'll receive 2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) annually just for having the card.
For every $20 in purchases made on the card in a calendar year, you'll earn one MQD.
Offers
The Platinum Card from American Express comes with up to $200 each calendar year in airline incidental fee credits (enrollment required). This credit can be used for things like onboard food or drinks, upgrades to extra legroom seats, checked bags, lounge passes for guests, or other expenses.
You can earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card in your first six months of card membership. This is a great way to start building your rewards balance.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers a potentially big perk for Delta Medallion, or elite, frequent flyers: complimentary, space-available upgrades to first-class and Delta One on flights within the U.S. and the region, including Mexico and Central America, and extra-legroom seats on international flights.
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You can get a 15% discount on all Delta-operated flights booked with SkyMiles when you book through Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. This discount is applied automatically, making it a hassle-free way to save.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve credit cards offer the TakeOff 15 benefit, which gives you a 15% discount on all Delta-operated flights booked with SkyMiles. This benefit is available on both the consumer and business versions of these cards.
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Rewards Program
The American Express Delta Platinum Card has a solid rewards program that can help you earn SkyMiles on various purchases.
You can earn 3x SkyMiles for purchases directly with Delta, making it a great option for frequent flyers. Additionally, you'll earn 3x SkyMiles for purchases made directly with hotels, which can be useful for travelers.
Restaurant purchases also earn 2x SkyMiles, including delivery and takeouts. This is a nice perk for foodies who love to dine out. You can also earn 2x SkyMiles at U.S. supermarkets, making it a great option for grocery shopping.
For every dollar you spend on eligible purchases, you'll earn 1 SkyMile. This may not be the highest earning rate, but it's still a decent option for everyday purchases.
Here's a breakdown of the earning rates:
Keep in mind that these earning rates are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check the card's terms and conditions.
Travel Perks and Features
The American Express Delta Platinum Card offers a range of travel perks and features that make it a great choice for frequent flyers. You can get a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or up to $85 statement credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
One of the standout benefits of this card is the free checked bag perk. With the card, you and up to eight other passengers on your reservation can check bags for free, saving you up to $630 in baggage fees on a roundtrip domestic flight.
The card also comes with a companion certificate, which allows a friend or family member to fly with you at a low cost (no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights). This is a great way to save money on your trip and can be worth significantly more than the annual fee.
Here are some additional travel perks and features of the American Express Delta Platinum Card:
- Free checked bags for you and up to eight other passengers on your reservation
- Companion certificate for a friend or family member to fly with you at a low cost
- $150 annual Delta Stays Credit for hotel or vacation rental bookings
- In-flight savings of up to 20% on eligible purchases
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (up to $120 every 4 years)
- Access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs
Overall, the American Express Delta Platinum Card offers a range of travel perks and features that make it a great choice for frequent flyers.
Fees and Disadvantages
The American Express Delta Platinum card comes with a significant annual fee of $350. This is a lot of money, but it may be worth it for frequent travelers who can get enough return from the card's benefits.
The fee is not the highest among cards in this segment, but it's still a substantial investment. To recoup that value, you'll want to take advantage of the companion certificate each year.
Here are some key fees and disadvantages to consider:
- The annual fee is still pretty expensive, making the offer worthwhile only for frequent travelers.
- The card doesn't offer many high-end perks, so you'll want to carefully consider whether the benefits are worth the cost.
- Compared to other cards, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card's fee is significant, but not the highest.
Fairly High Fee
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a fairly high annual fee of $350. This is a significant cost, but it's not the highest among cards in this segment.
The fee is worth considering if you're a frequent traveler who can get enough return on your investment. To recoup the value, you'll want to take advantage of the companion certificate each year.
The fee is still pretty expensive, and you'll want to weigh the benefits against the cost. While it's not the most expensive Delta credit card, it's a lot of money for a card that doesn't offer many high-end perks.
Here's a comparison of the annual fees for some premium cards:
Keep in mind that the benefits of these cards can make up for the expense, but it's essential to carefully consider your usage and needs.
No Access to Sky Clubs
One of the most significant drawbacks of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is the lack of access to Delta Sky Clubs.
This is a pretty big disappointment, especially considering the card's high-end status. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card won't get you into Delta Sky Clubs.
You'll need to consider whether the card's other perks make up for this limitation, or if you'd rather opt for a different card with complimentary lounge membership.
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Redemption and Security
You can redeem your Delta SkyMiles directly through Delta, and it's estimated that your miles will be worth 1.61 cents each when booking flights.
The American Express Delta Platinum Card offers a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which can speed up your airport security experience. You can also use special lanes to breeze through security with these programs.
With Global Entry, you can use a fast lane when returning to the US from abroad, making clearing immigration and customs quick and easy.
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How to Redeem
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To redeem your Delta SkyMiles, you can only do so directly through Delta. This means you won't be able to use your miles on other airlines or websites.
The best way to use your Delta SkyMiles is to book flights, where we estimate your miles will be worth 1.61 cents each. This is a great way to get the most value out of your miles.
You can also redeem your SkyMiles for more than just Delta flights. You can use them for seat upgrades, vacation packages, and even to book flights with Delta's partner airlines.
Here's a breakdown of the redemption options:
If you have an American Express Delta Platinum Card, you can earn SkyMiles on your purchases. For example, you can earn 3 SkyMiles per dollar on direct Delta purchases and hotel spending.
Travel Security Programs
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are absolute musts for even a casual traveler, allowing you to use special lanes to breeze through airport security.
These programs cost $78 or $85 for TSA PreCheck and $120 for Global Entry, but with The Platinum Card from American Express, you can get a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or up to $85 statement credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
With Global Entry, you can use a fast lane when you return to the US from abroad, making clearing immigration and customs easy and quick.
The Platinum Card from American Express also reimburses up to $199 for CLEAR Plus membership, an expedited screening program that lets you essentially "cut in line" at TSA security checkpoints.
Comparison and Conclusion
The Delta Platinum Amex Card has solid perks, ranging from a companion certificate to priority boarding, to savings on flight purchases, to access to exclusive award redemption opportunities, to valuable statement credits, and more.
If you value these benefits, the card might be worth it for you, but it's not necessarily the best card for casual Delta flyers. As one commenter noted, the card's worth depends on your spending and travel habits.
To help you decide, consider the following:
- Do you fly Delta frequently? If so, the card's benefits may outweigh the annual fee.
- Do you have a Diamond Medallion status, like one commenter's friend? If so, you may already be getting the most out of the card's benefits.
- Are you willing to spend on the card to earn MQDs? If so, the card's rewards may be more valuable to you.
Ultimately, the decision to get the Delta Platinum Amex Card depends on your individual needs and travel habits. As one commenter put it, "Everyone should have one", but that's not necessarily true for everyone.
Quick Comparison: vs. Gold
The Gold Delta Amex is a good option for the occasional Delta flyer looking for basic perks. It's a solid choice for those who don't fly with Delta too often.
The Delta Platinum Amex is a great option for the more frequent Delta flyer. This card offers more benefits and rewards for those who fly with Delta regularly.
The Gold Delta Amex has limited travel perks, but it's still a decent option for those who want to earn some miles without breaking the bank. It's a good starting point for beginners.
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Choosing Between the
The Delta Platinum Amex offers a generous companion certificate, which can be used to book a ticket for a companion at a reduced rate. This can be a huge perk for frequent flyers.
Take a look at this: Amex Platinum Companion Card Lounge Access
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The annual fee on the Delta Platinum Amex is potentially quite easy to justify, thanks to all the credits you can earn with rideshares, Resy, and even Delta Stays.
If you're looking for a more streamlined travel experience, the Delta Platinum Amex provides free checked bags and priority boarding. It also comes with a generous companion certificate.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and The Platinum Card from American Express both charge a steep annual fee but come with valuable benefits, including airline perks and airport lounge access.
Here's a quick comparison of the Delta Platinum Amex and the Amex Platinum:
Ultimately, the right card for you depends on your spending and travel habits, and whether or not you prefer flexible points or earning Delta miles exclusively.
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Express Delta Platinum Card is a popular choice for travelers, but it's not the only option. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is another contender, with a yearly fee of $650.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is a better choice for earning elite status with Delta Air Lines. However, if you're looking to earn more per dollar spent on flights, the Platinum Card from American Express is the way to go.
One of the key benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is its focus on benefits for Delta loyalists. This includes complimentary upgrades and an annual companion certificate.
The Platinum Card from American Express, on the other hand, offers wider travel benefits, such as access to various airport lounges worldwide and elite status with hotel partners.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers fast-track opportunities to earn Delta Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta elite status. This can be a huge advantage for frequent Delta flyers.
The Platinum Card from American Express also offers automatic elite status with certain hotel and car rental partners. This can be a convenient perk for travelers who frequently stay at specific hotels or rent cars from certain companies.
The Platinum Card from American Express offers more versatile travel benefits and rewards that can be used across a wider range of airlines and hotels.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Delta Amex Platinum card worth it?
The Delta Amex Platinum card may be worth its annual fee for frequent Delta flyers who can utilize its perks. Consider your flying habits and benefits to determine if the card's value outweighs the cost.
Is Amex Delta Platinum hard to get?
The Amex Delta Platinum card requires a credit score of 700+ for approval, making it challenging for many applicants. If you have good credit, you may have a better chance of being approved, but it's still a competitive process.
What is the difference between Amex Platinum and Delta Platinum?
The main difference between Amex Platinum and Delta Platinum is that Amex Platinum offers a broader range of premium travel and shopping benefits, while Delta Platinum focuses on benefits specific to Delta Air Lines. If you're a frequent Delta flyer, the Delta Platinum might be the better choice.
Does Amex Platinum get into Delta Lounge?
Amex Platinum cardmembers can access Delta Sky Clubs, but guest access is limited to purchasing for up to two traveling companions per visit. To learn more about guest access policies and fees, click here.
Does Amex Platinum get you free bags on Delta?
Yes, Amex Platinum Card Membership includes a benefit that allows you to check your first bag free on Delta flights. This can save you up to $280 per round-trip flight for a family of four.
Sources
- https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express/delta-platinum-amex-card/
- https://rates.fm/cards/delta-platinum-amex-card-review/
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/insights/delta-platinum-amex
- https://thriftytraveler.com/guides/credit-card/overlooked-benefits-of-the-delta-amex-cards/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/amex-platinum-vs-delta-reserve
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