Delta Platinum Card vs. Delta Gold Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card offers the ability to boost earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for status and an annual companion certificate, which are not included with the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card.
• Both cards provide Zone 5 Priority Boarding and a free checked bag, but the Delta Platinum card also offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit.
• The Delta Platinum card comes out ahead of the Delta Gold card with its additional benefits and slightly better earnings in key categories.

Delta and American Express have had a long-standing relationship that’s proven fruitful for both companies.

The 2 have collaborated to provide an almost overwhelming number of co-branded credit cards for consumers to choose from, and selecting the right one for your wallet can be daunting.

Two of the most popular options are the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card. Each offers a set of perks that will appeal to a particular customer base, but which one is the right option for your wallet?

That’s where we come in.

Today, we will explore the ins and outs of these cards, including their perks and features, to help you determine the best fit for your everyday life.

Overview

Before we examine the details of our featured cards, take a look at this overview of the highlights of the Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card:

Welcome Offer Comparison

Earning a welcome offer on a given card is one of the fastest and easiest ways to earn many rewards. Typically, a card will offer a generous sum of bonus points after you meet a minimum spending requirement.

Keep in mind, however, that welcome offers change with frequency, so you’ll want to double-check the specific offer before you apply for any card.

See below for the current welcome offers on the Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

90,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,080

Annual Fee

$350

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card can be a great option for those seeking additional ways to obtain a higher level of status — or to maintain their current status — with the airline.

A key feature of this card is the ability to earn bonus Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) that are essential for earning Delta status. This could help you get closer to earning a handful of valuable benefits with the airline.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta purchases
• 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with hotels
• 2x SkyMiles per $1 spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets

Cons

• $350 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $350 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card provides bonus SkyMiles on all purchases, along with a free checked bag, priority boarding, and discounted award flights.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

This card provides bonus SkyMiles on all purchases, along with a free checked bag, priority boarding, and discounted award flights.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $960

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Frequent Delta flyers will love the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card. The card offers great benefits that will help save you money, effectively mimics low-level elite status with Delta SkyMiles, and helps you earn miles even faster, all for a low annual fee. Let’s dive into the benefits to see if the Delta Gold card is a good fit for your needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• $100 Delta Stays Credit: You can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
• Receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.

Cons

• Moderate annual fee
• Earn rate for Delta flights is relatively low compared to other travel cards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• With Send & Split^®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

Delta SkyMiles Comparison

The Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card both earn Delta SkyMiles. In recent years, Delta has made the SkyMiles program consistently less valuable — it’s no longer a go-to currency for booking long-haul international flights in premium cabins.

You can use SkyMiles to book flights on partner airlines such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and more, but it’s relatively difficult to find flights that will provide a decent value. You’ll likely have better luck finding value on domestic flights, which can be booked for as few as 5,000 SkyMiles each way.

Earning Potential

Let’s take a look at how you’ll earn Delta SkyMiles for the purchases you make on each card:

You’ll earn more SkyMiles with the Delta Platinum card if you spend a lot with Delta Air Lines and book many hotels, though otherwise, the cards’ earning structures are identical when it comes to everyday purchases like dining and groceries.

If you’re merely a casual Delta flyer, you’ll probably be more than satisfied with the Delta Gold card’s earning structure. Still, if you’re devoted to the airline, you’ll probably derive more value from holding the Delta Platinum card.

Redemption Options

Once you earn Delta SkyMiles, basically, your only option for redeeming them is within Delta’s ecosystem, which includes award flights, Delta Vacations reservations, and gift cards.

If you have patience — and flexible travel plans — you may be able to redeem your SkyMiles for outsized value, especially on long-haul partner flights.

For example, there are plenty of days on which you can book Air France’s nonstop flight between St. Maarten (SXM) and Paris (CDG) one-way in business class for just 75,000 SkyMiles and between $64 and $84 in taxes and fees. Per our valuation of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece, this means using SkyMiles for this flight would be equivalent to just under $1,000 in cash value. Compare this with cash prices of at least $2,600 on the route, and that’s a considerable savings and a great use of miles.

And, as we mentioned above, it’s also possible to find great deals on domestic flights, considering they start from 5,000 miles each way. Delta’s award prices tend to be tied more or less to the cash price of a ticket. You’ll want to check the cash price and the cost in SkyMiles of a flight you’re looking at and do the math before you decide to purchase with cash or miles.

But, for many other redemptions, you’ll rarely achieve a higher value for your SkyMiles than 1.2 cents apiece — and this applies when you use SkyMiles for other purchases like Delta Vacations packages.

Delta Air Lines Benefits Comparison

Due to the way Delta SkyMiles have been devalued over the years, the primary motivation behind opening a Delta co-branded card is for the Delta-centric perks they provide. Other cards may provide more generous earning potential but lack the targeted benefits that a co-branded Delta card will provide its flyers.

Let’s review the Delta-centric benefits that both the Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card offer:

First Checked Bag for Free

The Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card allow you and up to 8 companions traveling on the same reservation to check your first bag for free.

Zone 5 Priority Boarding

The Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card entitle you and up to 8 companions traveling on the same reservation to board in Zone 5.

Save on Inflight Purchases

If you’re on a Delta flight, you can receive 20% back on inflight purchases made with both the Delta Platinum card and the Delta Gold card. This is a great way to add incremental value to holding either card.

Statement Credits

The Delta Platinum card offers a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. Your card will reimburse you up to $85 for TSA PreCheck or $120 for Global Entry.

The Delta Gold card offers a $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on your card within the year.

Additional Delta Perks for the Delta Platinum Card

There are additional benefits and perks you’ll find exclusively on the Delta Platinum card.

Medallion Qualification Dollar Boost

You’ll also earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) for each $20 of purchases made on your card in a calendar year.

Annual Companion Certificate

The Delta Platinum card offers an annual companion certificate, which covers a round-trip domestic, Caribbean, or Central America Main Cabin ticket every year after you renew your card. Remember that terms apply, only certain fare classes are available, and you must pay taxes and fees on the companion ticket.

Travel Protection and Benefits Comparison

The Delta Platinum card and Delta Gold card are great for Delta-centric perks. They also provide travel-related protections and benefits that can be very helpful should something go wrong during your journey.

Rental Car Insurance

Most American Express cards come with secondary car rental insurance — and our featured cards are no different.

The secondary insurance policy covers theft, damage, and loss of use. To access this benefit, decline the collision damage waiver or loss damage waiver (CDW/LDW) from the car rental agency and pay for your car rental reservation using your Delta Platinum card or Delta Gold card.

Each card offers up to $50,000 in coverage.

Baggage Insurance

The Delta Platinum card and Delta Gold card offer up to $1,250 per carry-on bag and up to $500 per covered person for checked bags.

Travel Assistance Services

The Delta Platinum card and Delta Gold card provide access to the Global Assist Hotline, which can provide referrals for many services if you’re more than 100 miles from home, including passport assistance, medical services, and legal services.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

The Delta Platinum card also offers trip delay protection. You can be reimbursed up to $300 per trip in eligible expenses on covered delays of 12 hours or more with a maximum of 2 claims annually.

Shopping Protection and Benefits Comparison

Let’s look at what each of our cards has to offer in terms of benefits and protections for everyday, non-travel purchases.

Purchase Protection

Both the Delta Platinum card and Delta Gold card offer purchase protection, which means you’re covered if something goes wrong with something shortly after you purchase it.

Both cards offer up to $1,000 in coverage per item, up to $50,000 in coverage total per year. Claims must be filed within 90 days of the original purchase, and items must be purchased with your card.

Extended Warranty

Both the Delta Platinum card and Delta Gold card offer 1 additional year of warranty coverage on products that have eligible warranties of 5 years or less. Note that you must purchase the item with your card to cover it.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Neither card charges extra fees for transactions made abroad, making either a great option to bring along with you on any international trip.

Amex Offers

All American Express-issued cards provide access to Amex Offers. Log in to your online card account and select from various retailers or service providers. Enroll in the desired offer(s) and use your card to make the associated purchases to earn elevated SkyMiles or cash-back.

Specific Shopping Protection and Benefits – Delta Platinum Card

Annual Statement Credits

There’s a number of annual statement credits that can help offset the ongoing fee, including:

• Annual $120 Resy credit: Earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled card.
• Annual $120 rideshare credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your enrolled card.
• Annual $150 Delta Stays credit: Earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.

Cell Phone Protection

The Delta Platinum card offers a cell phone protection policy that will be useful if your phone is broken or stolen. The card provides up to $800 in reimbursements per claim with a $50 deductible per claim and a maximum of 2 approved claims per 12-month period.

Additional Shopping Benefits for the Delta Gold Card

The Delta Gold card comes with up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

The Delta Platinum card charges a $350 annual fee, while the Delta Gold card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. There are no additional fees to add authorized users for our featured cards.

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it, the Delta Platinum card takes the Delta Gold card’s offering and builds on it to provide more perks to cardmembers, in theory justifying its higher annual fee. The Delta Platinum card offers slightly better earnings in a couple of key categories when compared to the Delta Gold card, but overall the cards offer very similar earning structures.

If you fly with Delta very often, you may find elevated perks like an annual companion certificate and the ability to enter Delta Sky Clubs for an additional fee to be well worth it — not to mention the more robust suite of travel and shopping protections the card offers.

However, if you fly Delta just a few times a year (or even fewer), the Delta Gold card will likely more than suffice. If you check bags, for example, you can recoup your annual fee after just a couple of trips with checked luggage.

Which card is better for you, though, will depend entirely on what you spend money on and, more importantly, how you value the Delta-centric perks you’ll get from opening one card over the other.

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For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the global assist hotline benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.