Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
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Ongoing Annual Fee
$350
Ongoing Purchases APR
20.24%-29.24% Variable
Credit Score Needed
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a compelling option for frequent Delta flyers looking to elevate their travel experience without breaking the bank. Positioned between the entry-level Gold and premium Reserve cards, it balances valuable perks and a manageable annual fee.
Key Features
Rewards Structure:
- 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotels
- 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
- 1X mile on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual Fee: $350
A Closer Look at the Benefits
For the savvy traveler, this card packs a punch with its array of benefits:
- Annual companion certificate for domestic Main Cabin round-trip flight
- First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on Delta flights
- Priority boarding
- 20% savings on in-flight purchases
- Up to $150 Delta Stays statement credit annually
- Up to $120 annual ride-hailing credit
- 5% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
- No foreign transaction fees
The annual companion certificate is undoubtedly the star of the show, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars each year. Imagine whisking away your significant other or a friend on a domestic getaway, paying only taxes and fees for their ticket. It’s like getting a buy-one-get-one-free deal on flights!
Is It Worth the Annual Fee?
At $350, the annual fee isn’t insignificant. However, for frequent Delta flyers, the math often works out in their favor. Let’s break it down:
- The companion certificate alone can easily surpass the annual fee in value.
- Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions can save a family of four $240 on a single round-trip flight.
- The $150 Delta Stays credit and $120 ride-hailing credit combine to potentially offset $270 of the annual fee.
Add priority boarding, in-flight savings, and the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and you’re looking at a package that can deliver significant value for the right user.
Who Should Consider This Card?
This card is ideal for:
- Frequent Delta flyers who don’t quite need the premium perks of the Reserve card
- Couples or friends who travel together at least once a year domestically
- Travelers aiming to boost their Medallion status
- Those who appreciate travel perks but don’t necessarily need lounge access
Pros
Annual companion certificate: Potentially saves hundreds of dollars on a round-trip domestic flight
Elevated earning rates on travel and dining: Earns 3X miles on Delta and hotel purchases and 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
Status boost potential: Cardholders receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) each year and can earn additional MQDs through spending
Cons
High annual fee: At $350, it may be challenging to justify for infrequent Delta travelers
Limited luxury perks: Lacks premium benefits like lounge access offered by higher-tier cards
SkyMiles’ variable redemption value: Delta’s dynamic pricing for award flights can make it challenging to maximize mile value
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
MoneyAtlas
Rating
on BankRate.com's secure site