Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex review: Mid-tier benefits for Delta loyalists

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card overviewThe Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a good choice for Delta loyalists who need a boost to reach their elite status goals. This card offers valuable perks, including an annual companion certificate, priority boarding and a free checked bag on Delta flights. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is one of the best credit cards for Delta travelers.It offers attractive perks for Delta loyalists in exchange for a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees), including an annual companion certificate and solid earning rates.The Delta Platinum Amex is also a good fit if you’re chasing Delta Medallion elite status, thanks to its earning structure for Medallion Qualification Dollars.TPG recommends a good to excellent credit score for this card.Let’s examine the Delta Platinum Amex more closely to determine whether it’s the right card for your wallet.Delta Platinum Amex pros and consProsCons<ul>
<li>First checked bag free</li>
<li>Companion certificate in economy class</li>
<li>Fast track to Medallion status by spending on the card</li>
</ul><ul>
<li>Doesn’t make sense if you don’t fly Delta frequently</li>
<li>SkyMiles aren’t the most valuable airline currency</li>
</ul>Delta Platinum Amex welcome offerNew Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles if they meet two separate spending thresholds:Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membershipPlus, earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 (for a total of $6,000) in the first six months of card membershipThis offer ends Apr. 1.Based on TPG’s January 2026 valuations of Delta miles at 1.25 cents each, this bonus is worth up to $1,250.If you’re able to meet both spending thresholds, this becomes the highest offer we’ve seen in this card’s history, so now is a great time to apply.THE POINTS GUYHowever, you likely won’t be eligible for this welcome offer if you have this card or have had it before. Amex may also consider the number of American Express cards you’ve opened and closed and other factors when deciding whether you’re eligible to earn the welcome offer. Delta’s cards are subject to American Express’s family restrictions for earning welcome bonuses, so if you’ve had a higher-tier Delta Amex card in the past, you may not be eligible to earn the welcome bonus on the Delta Amex Platinum.Luckily, Amex will notify you if you aren’t eligible for a welcome offer, displaying a message soon after submitting your application. So, don’t ignore any messages or warnings that appear after you hit submit.Related: What credit score do you need to get Delta SkyMiles American Express cards?Delta Platinum Amex benefitsThe Delta Platinum Amex offers many perks for Delta flyers. Let’s take a closer look at all of the card’s perks and benefits. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)Elite status perksDelta credit cards help cardmembers earn elite status with one metric: MQDs. Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent, with no limit on how many MQDs can be earned through credit card spending.They also receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs at the start of each Medallion Qualification Year.Annual companion certificateThe other primary benefit offered by the Delta Platinum Amex is an annual companion certificate. You’ll receive this perk each year after your account renewal.If you use this certificate for expensive flights, you can easily cover most (or all) of the card’s annual fee.ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUYThe Delta companion certificate is valid for round-trip, main cabin domestic travel (booked in fare classes L, T, U, V or X). All you’ll need to pay for the companion ticket is taxes and fees. Note that this excludes the carrier’s basic economy tickets (which are booked into E fare class) and most higher-priced economy classes.This certificate covers travel to all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.Other travel perksThe Delta Platinum Amex offers several credits you may find helpful, including:Up to $10 monthly Resy statement credit (up to $120 per calendar year) on eligible U.S. Resy restaurantsUp to $10 monthly ride-hailing credit with select providers (up to $120 per calendar year) on U.S. ride-hailing purchasesUp to $150 Delta Stays statement credit every calendar year for eligible bookings$120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4½ yearsAnd cardholders also enjoy:Free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same flightZone 5 Priority boardingA 15% discount off award redemptions for Delta flights20% off inflight purchases (excluding Wi-Fi purchases)No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)Hertz Five Star status†(Enrollment is required for select benefits.)†Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required; terms apply.Fortunately, Delta ties benefits such as the checked baggage allowance and priority boarding to your Delta SkyMiles account. So, you don’t need to book flights with your Delta Platinum Amex to get access to these perks.Additionally, cardmembers who are not SkyMiles Medallion Members are eligible to receive complimentary upgrades for Delta One (within the U.S.), first class and Delta Comfort+ after Medallion Members and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardmembers.Related: 4 reasons why the Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta flyersEarning miles on the Delta Platinum AmexYou’ll earn Delta SkyMiles when you make eligible purchases with the Delta Platinum Amex. In particular, you’ll earn Delta miles with your card as follows:3 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and hotels worldwide2 miles per dollar on purchases made on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchasesPAPARTIC/GETTY IMAGESSince TPG’s January 2026 valuations place Delta SkyMiles miles at 1.25 cents each, you’ll get an effective return of 3.8% on purchases with Delta and at hotels, 2.5% on purchases on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and 1.3% on other purchases.Though a loyal Delta traveler may enjoy earning bonus SkyMiles on these purchases, none of these returns are close to the best you can do in these categories with other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).Related: Best credit cards for everyday spendingRedeeming miles on the Delta Platinum AmexDelta’s SkyMiles program doesn’t have the best reputation among points and miles buffs. After all, Delta has devalued its miles many times over the years. And Delta doesn’t publish an official award chart, meaning award costs can be very high. Despite that, there are still some great ways to get value from the Delta SkyMiles program.For example, Delta has frequent flash sales. In the past, we’ve seen deals like domestic awards from 2,000 SkyMiles one-way, flights to Alaska for as little as 5,000 miles round-trip, transcontinental awards from 10,000 miles round-trip and flights to Europe from 16,000 miles round-trip.ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUYConsider snagging some great sweet spots when using SkyMiles to fly Delta partner airlines. This includes awards on SkyTeam partners such as Air France and Korean Air, but the program also has some nonalliance partners.Just note that some partner awards don’t show on Delta’s website, including awards on Air Tahiti Nui, Czech Airlines and Kenya Airways. As a result, you’ll want to use ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) or another SkyTeam website like Flying Blue to find availability before calling to book awards on these partners.TPG principal spokesperson Clint Henderson redeemed under 74,000 SkyMiles for a flight from Mexico City to Brisbane, Australia. With this redemption, Clint secured a lie-flat Delta One seat on the leg from Los Angeles to Brisbane.Related: How to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for maximum valueWhich cards compete with the Delta Platinum Amex?If you are interested in the Delta Platinum Amex because you fly (or plan to fly) Delta frequently, you may also be interested in these options:If you want Delta perks for a lower annual fee: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a good choice. It offers Delta perks like a free checked bag but with a lower annual fee of $150 ($0 introductory fee for the first year; see rates and fees). (Terms apply.) To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex.If you want Delta Sky Club access: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has a higher annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees) but offers more Delta perks, including lounge access (terms apply, subject to limitations). To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex.If you want a card with more flexible rewards: American Express Platinum Card® gives you excellent travel benefits like comprehensive airport lounge access and earns rewards that you can transfer to any of American Express’s airline or hotel partners. (Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.) To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.For additional options, check out our full lists of the best airline credit cards and best American Express credit cards.Related: Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum AmexBottom lineThe Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card can be a great addition to your wallet if Delta is your preferred airline. Its annual fee may seem high compared to the lower annual fee Delta Gold Amex, but you get useful benefits in return, like the annual companion certificate that can provide significant value.However, having the card may be hard to justify if you don’t fly Delta often enough to maximize this card’s benefits.Remember that to maximize your overall travel earning strategy, you’ll likely want to pair the Delta Platinum with another card that earns more points in bonus categories.Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardFor rates and fees of the Delta Gold Amex, click here.For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, click here.For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.