Is the Delta Platinum Card Worth It for Travelers

The Delta Platinum Card is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits for frequent travelers. With a $550 annual fee, it's a significant investment, but for those who travel often, it can be a worthwhile expense.

If you're a Delta loyalist, you'll appreciate the card's generous rewards program, which earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, 1.5 miles per dollar on other purchases, and a 60,000-mile sign-up bonus. This can add up quickly, especially if you're a frequent flyer.

One of the card's standout features is its airport lounge access, which grants you entry to Delta Sky Clubs and other partner lounges. This can be a huge perk, especially during long layovers or when you're traveling internationally.

The card also offers a range of travel-related benefits, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck. These perks can save you time and money, and make your travel experience more enjoyable.

The Delta Platinum Card is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits to frequent flyers. Its annual fee is $550, but it offers a welcome offer of 70,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card in the first 6 months.

The card's earning potential is one of its standout features, with cardholders earning 3 miles for every dollar spent on Delta flights. This can be especially valuable if you live near a Delta hub, as there may be more availability for great mileage redemption deals.

One of the card's biggest benefits is its ability to help cardholders earn elite status credit. With the MQD Headstart and MQD Boost features, cardholders can earn $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with the card.

Cardholders also enjoy a range of travel perks, including a Companion Certificate each year after renewal, Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights, and an annual statement credit of up to $200 after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.

However, it's worth noting that the card's benefits have changed over time, and some cardholders have downgraded from the Platinum Card to the Delta SkyMiles Gold card due to changes in Sky Club entry and other benefits.

The Delta Platinum card has an annual fee of $400, which is $400 less than the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card.

You get one free checked bag for each passenger in your group if paid using the Delta Platinum card. This is a great perk for families or groups traveling together.

The Delta Platinum card offers 1 medallion status point for every $20 spent on the card, effective 1/1/2024. This is a significant change from the previous rewards structure.

Before getting into the specifics of each card, it's a good idea to consider some general advice about credit cards in general. You should always pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Some credit cards offer more rewards than others, so it's essential to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits. For example, a card with a high reward rate on dining purchases might be a good choice for someone who eats out frequently.

Delta cards are a great option for frequent flyers, offering benefits like airport lounge access and priority boarding. However, if you're not a frequent flyer, a different type of card might be more suitable.

To get the most out of a Delta card, you should have a good understanding of the terms and conditions, including any annual fees and rewards structures. You can find more information on the Delta Reserve Card guides.

The Delta Amex cards are getting new statement credits, and the details vary depending on the card type.

Business cards are getting more rewards than personal cards.

The personal version of the Delta Amex Gold Card will get up to a $100 annual Delta Stays credit.

The business version of the Delta Amex Gold Card will get up to a $150 annual Delta Stays credit.

The personal version of the Delta Amex Platinum Card will get up to a $120 annual Resy credit ($10 per month), up to a $120 annual rideshare credit (up to $10 per month), and up to a $150 annual Delta Stays credit.

The business version of the Delta Amex Platinum Card will get up to a $120 annual Resy credit ($10 per month), up to a $120 annual rideshare credit (up to $10 per month), and up to a $200 annual Delta Stays credit.

The personal version of the Delta Amex Reserve Card will get up to a $240 annual Resy credit ($20 per month), up to a $120 annual rideshare credit (up to $10 per month), and up to a $200 annual Delta Stays credit.

The business version of the Delta Amex Reserve Card will get up to a $240 annual Resy credit ($20 per month), up to a $120 annual rideshare credit (up to $10 per month), and up to a $250 annual Delta Stays credit.

Here are the details on the different credits you can get:

The Delta Platinum Card offers a range of perks and features that can enhance your travel experience. You earn 1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more.

One of the standout benefits is the Companion Certificate, which allows you to bring a companion on a roundtrip domestic flight for a government-imposed tax of no more than $80. You can also earn up to $200 in statement credits on prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.

Here are some of the key perks and features of the Delta Platinum Card:

Earning points with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum AmEx is a great way to accumulate miles quickly. You earn three miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases or directly with hotels.

You also earn two miles per dollar spent on restaurants worldwide and on US takeout, delivery, and supermarkets. This is a great category to focus on if you dine out frequently or order food online.

One mile per dollar is earned on all other purchases, which is still a decent rate considering the other benefits you get with this card. I recommend always purchasing Delta flights with your SkyMiles Platinum AmEx, as it's a great way to earn miles and redeem them for flights.

Here's a summary of the earning rates:

As a miles enthusiast, I appreciate the flexibility of earning rates on this card. By strategically using your SkyMiles Platinum AmEx for your daily purchases, you can rack up miles quickly and redeem them for flights, hotels, or other rewards.

If you're considering a Delta SkyMiles card, you'll want to think about the perks that come with it. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers a Companion Certificate each year after renewal, which can be a huge benefit for frequent travelers.

You'll also get two Sky Club guest passes annually with the Reserve card. This can be a game-changer if you travel with friends or family and want to enjoy lounge access together.

The AmEx Platinum card, on the other hand, offers 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines, which can be a great way to earn points quickly.

Delta Platinum cardholders get 1 free checked bag for each passenger in their group if paid using the card, which can save you a significant amount of money on flights.

Here are some key perks to consider:

The Delta Amex Platinum Card and Delta Amex Reserve Card are keeping their annual companion certificate perk, but with a significant upgrade.

Both the personal and business versions of these cards now offer more flexibility with their certificates, making them usable for travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

This expansion opens up new possibilities for redeeming your certificates, potentially offering more value than ever before.

The Delta Platinum Card has a $250 annual fee, which may seem steep at first, but it's actually a worthwhile investment for frequent flyers.

The card offers a 40,000-mile sign-up bonus, which can be redeemed for a round-trip domestic flight or two one-way flights.

With a $250 annual fee, you can earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X mile on other purchases, making it a great option for those who fly with Delta regularly.

You can also enjoy a free checked bag, which can save you up to $60 per round-trip flight, depending on your destination and travel dates.

A good credit score is a score of 670 or above, according to FICO. This is the minimum you'll need to qualify for a Delta SkyMiles credit card, but it's not the only factor American Express considers.

Your credit score is just one piece of the puzzle, and American Express will also look at your income and history as an Amex customer. This is why it's a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a card.

You can get a better idea of your approval chances without harming your credit score by using Amex's pre-qualification service. This is a great way to test the waters before making a formal application.

If you do get rejected, you'll receive a letter within 60 days explaining why you weren't approved.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card offers a welcome offer of 70,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

This card can also help you earn elite status credit, with features like MQD Headstart and MQD Boost, which give you $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card.

The annual fee for this card is not explicitly stated, but it's worth noting that the Delta Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards each offer a $50 more annual hotel credit than their consumer counterpart.

If you're considering the Delta Platinum card, know that it offers 1 free checked bag for each passenger in your group if paid using the card, as well as a free companion ticket annually, but it's not a first class ticket.

The Delta Platinum card's annual fee is $400 less than the Reserve's, making it a more affordable option for those who want lounge access and other benefits.

Here's a comparison of the Delta Platinum and Reserve cards' lounge access benefits:

It's worth noting that the Delta Platinum card will offer 1 medallion status point for every $20 spent on the card, starting January 1, 2024, while the Reserve card will offer 1 point for every $10 spent.

Delta Amex card annual fees are increasing for new cardmembers as of February 1, 2024.

The personal and business version of the Delta Amex Gold Card now has an annual fee of $150, up from $99, although it's still $0 for the first 12 months. This change applies to new cardmembers.

For new cardmembers, the personal and business version of the Delta Amex Platinum Card now has an annual fee of $350, up from $250.

The personal and business version of the Delta Amex Reserve Card now has an annual fee of $650, up from $550.

Here's a quick rundown of the new fees:

Existing cardmembers will see the new fees apply on their first renewal date on May 1, 2024, or later.

The SkyMiles Platinum Amex has plenty of perks that every traveler will enjoy, with the most notable being the Annual Companion Certificate, which allows you to add on an additional passenger when booking a ticket in the main cabin for travel within the US, Caribbean, and Central America and only pay government-imposed taxes or fees not exceeding $80.

This perk's expansion has made it a lot more valuable, allowing you to travel with family or friends for a significantly reduced price tag. For example, I've taken advantage of this perk to fly with my dad to Orlando, Florida, for his birthday.

Cardholders also enjoy a Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) headstart and boost, which allows you to earn $1 MQD for every $20 you spend on your card throughout the year and an annual bonus of $2,500 MQDs. This is very helpful if you're trying to chase elite status with Delta.

The SkyMiles Platinum AmEx makes your life easier at the airport as well, with benefits including your first checked bag free on all Delta flights, no matter the fare, and a fee credit to enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Cardholders will also be added to the complimentary upgrade list.

If you're renting a car, enjoy Hertz Five Star status, which qualifies you for upgrades as available. And in the air, cardholders get 20 percent back on purchases.

One of my favorite benefits of the card is the TakeOff 15 feature, which allows you to save 15 percent when booking award travel on Delta-operated flights. If you're short on miles, this can be extremely helpful to get you where you need to go.

The card also offers statement credits, with cardholders able to receive up to $150 per year as a statement credit for purchases made through Delta Stays, up to $120 for US rideshare purchases, and up to $120 at Resy restaurants.

Here are some of the key benefits of the SkyMiles Platinum Amex: