Summary
If you fly Delta a few times a year and want a meaningful push toward Medallion status without paying for the premium Reserve card, the Delta Amex Platinum Card sits in a strong middle ground. It won’t get you into the Sky Club, but the annual Companion Certificate alone can justify the fee for the right traveler. Here is everything you need to know about the Delta SkyMiles program before deciding.
This card is best suited to travelers who fly Delta 4–8 times per year, want to make a run at Silver or Gold Medallion status, and travel with a companion at least once annually. If you never check bags, rarely use restaurant credits, and don’t care about status, the $350 fee is hard to justify. If you do those things, it almost pays for itself..
Rates& Fees
(Terms Apply)
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Our Rating
Mid-Tier Status Card
Card Details
The Good
- MQD Headstart: Delta uses Medallion Qualifying Dollars foir elite status. The $2,500 MQD Headstart means you start each year $2,500 closer to Silver (which requires $5,000 MQD) or Gold ($10,000 MQD). If you pair this with the MQD Boost (earning $1 MQD per $20 spent on the card) and regular Delta flying, you can aim for the Silver Medallion with moderate flying. See our Your Complete Guide to Delta SkyMiles: Earning, Redeeming, and Sweet Spots for how the full status ladder works.
- Annual Companion Certificate (Main Cabin): The Companion Certificate is the card’s signature perk. After your first card anniversary, you get one Main Cabin companion ticket on a round-trip Delta flight when you purchase an eligible ticket. At a modest domestic fare of $300, that is $300 back from a single benefit. Book early in the year for maximum flexibility on routes and dates.
- First Checked Bag Free applies to you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. At $35 per bag each way, a family of four saves $280 on a single round trip. You need to pay with the card and have your SkyMiles number on the reservation.
- The $150 Delta Stays Credit applies to hotels booked through Delta’s hotel portal. Rates are competitive with other OTAs and the credit posts automatically. It can be split over multiple stays. This is free money if you stay in hotels.
- The $120 Resy Credit comes as $10/month and does not roll over. Set a reminder for the last week of each month. Most major cities have plenty of Resy restaurants and this one is easy to use consistently.
- The $120 Rideshare Credit works the same way: $10/month, use it or lose it. Link your Amex to Uber or Lyft once and it applies automatically from there.
- The TakeOff 15% Discount gives you 15% off when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta flights. This compounds over time. The more miles you redeem, the more value this adds. It does not apply to partner flights or upgrades.
- The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit covers the application fee up to $100 every four years. If you do not have Global Entry yet, this is the nudge to apply. See our complete guide to Global Entry: The Smart Traveler’s Shortcut Through the Airport.
- Hertz Five Star Status gives you complimentary upgrades and skip-the-counter access at Hertz locations. Enroll your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards number through your Amex account. It costs nothing and the upgrade can be meaningful on longer rentals.
- The MQD Boost adds $1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card. Combined with the Headstart, Silver Medallion is within reach for a moderate Delta flyer.
Things to watch out for
- The $350 annual fee is a notable jump from previous years. If you are coming from the old $250 fee, run the numbers on your actual credit usage before renewing.
- No Sky Club access is the biggest limitation of this card. You cannot buy your way in even for a single visit. If lounge access matters to you, you need the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
- The Companion Certificate is only valid after your first renewal. You do not get it when you first open the card. Factor this into your timing if the certificate is a primary reason for applying.
- The status boost is slower than what the Reserve card offers. The Reserve provides a $5,000 MQD Headstart versus $2,500 here. If Gold or Platinum Medallion is your target, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card closes the gap faster.
Our take
The Delta Platinum sits in the right spot if you fly Delta regularly but do not need a Sky Club. The Companion Certificate alone can justify the fee if you travel with another person at least once a year. The three monthly credits cover the annual fee on paper before you count anything else.
This card falls short in two situations. If you fly Delta occasionally, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is a better fit for you. For lounge access and faster status, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is worth the extra cost.
If you are somewhere in between, this is your sweet spot in the Delta card lineup.
