If you fly Delta Air Lines with some frequency, you’re probably aware that there are a variety of Delta-branded credit cards available. American Express issues this range of cards and has done an exceptional job of marketing it to Delta flyers.
Amex has also made sure the collection includes a card match for any type of Delta traveler, from the infrequent flyer to the Delta loyalist.
Today we’re going to look at the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. It’s not as packed full of benefits as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, but it does offer great value for the frequent Delta traveler with a lower annual fee.
In this article, we’ll cover the earning potential of the card, your redemption options, any Delta-associated benefits that come with the card, how the card helps you reach elite status faster, and the card’s travel/shopping benefits and protections.
Let’s dig in!
Delta Platinum Card Snapshot
Earning Delta SkyMiles
There are a lot of ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, especially when you take advantage of the bonus categories available on its co-branded cards — here’s how:
1. A Generous Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses vary depending on when you apply for a Delta-branded card. However, you can expect to receive tens of thousands of Delta SkyMiles for meeting minimum spending requirements on your Delta Platinum card within the first 3 months after card approval.
Hot Tip: See how you might be eligible for an 80,000- or even 100,000-point welcome bonus for the Delta Platinum card — it only takes about 60 seconds to check online.
2. Earn More on Delta Purchases
Use your card for Delta purchases and receive 3 miles for every dollar you spend.
3. Elevated Earning at Hotels
When you fly, you may need a hotel room at your destination. Fortunately, you’ll also earn 3 miles for every dollar you spend directly with hotels worldwide. Prepaid hotel nights and nights booked with third parties do not qualify.
4. Earn More on Dining and Supermarket Purchases
Use your card to pay when dining at restaurants worldwide and earn 2 miles for every dollar spent. Back at home, you’ll not only be earning at restaurants — you’ll also earn 2 miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets.
5. Earn on Every Purchase You Make
You’ll be earning at least 1 mile per dollar on every eligible purchase you make with the card.
6. No Limit on Earning Miles
There is no set limit on how many miles you can earn each year by spending on your card.
7. Earn for Referring a Friend
Log in to your Delta Platinum card account and refer a friend to receive 10,000 to 20,000 SkyMiles once your friend is approved for a Delta-branded credit card.
8. Additional Users
There’s no additional charge to add an authorized user to your card. Their purchases earn SkyMiles that will be deposited into your SkyMiles account.
Bottom Line: Enjoy elevated earnings of 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at hotels worldwide. Your dining and U.S. supermarket purchases also receive elevated earnings of 2 miles per dollar spent. Every purchase you make earns at least 1 mile per dollar spent and there is no limit on how many miles you can earn.
Delta Travel Benefits
9. Discounted Access to Delta Sky Club Airport Lounges
Delta Platinum card members and additional card users receive discounted access to Sky Club lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta or partner airline flight.
Normally a day pass would cost $59 per person, per visit, but Delta Platinum card members will pay just $39 per person, with up to 2 guests per visit.
10. Priority Boarding
Cardmembers and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation will enjoy Main Cabin 1 priority boarding. The reservation must be paid for with the Delta Platinum card.
11. Free Checked Bag
Pay for your Delta flight with your eligible card and receive a free checked bag for you and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
12. Delta SkyMiles Companion Certificate
Bring along a companion with your annual companion certificate that comes with your Delta Platinum card. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines
Each year on your card anniversary, you’ll receive a Main Cabin companion certificate. Purchase your round-trip domestic flight ticket and you’ll get a companion ticket for just the cost of the taxes and fees, which cannot exceed $75.
Select itineraries within the contiguous 48 states are eligible.
13. Inflight Discounts
Use your card for inflight purchases and receive a 20% statement credit. Examples of eligible purchases include headsets, pre-purchased meals, inflight food, and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages.
14. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
Use your Delta Platinum card to pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee and receive a statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
15. Discounted CLEAR Membership
With CLEAR expedited security clearance, you’ll arrive at your gate faster. Just approach the CLEAR kiosk, confirm your identity with your fingerprints or eyes, and you’re on your way.
With the Delta Platinum card, you’ll pay less for membership. Normally CLEAR membership costs $189 per year, but with the Delta Platinum card, membership is just $109.
Redeeming Your Miles
You’ll earn a lot more miles by spending on the Delta Platinum card and, as a result, have a lot more SkyMiles to redeem.
Not all of these redemption options are exclusive to the Delta Platinum card, but we’re including them to illustrate the multitude of ways to redeem miles earned on the card.
16. Pay With Miles
Book premium Delta One Suites using your SkyMiles. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines
Delta Platinum cardmembers can enjoy the option of paying for specific Delta flights using miles. You’ll receive $50 off the price of the ticket for every 5,000 miles redeemed.
Tickets purchased via Pay with Miles earn redeemable SkyMiles and the portion of the ticket paid for in cash will earn Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) toward elite status.
Redeem Miles for Delta Award Flights
While Delta does not publish an award chart, you can still find good value using your Delta SkyMiles for award flights. Flights normally start at 10,000 miles but Delta runs flash sales where flights can be even less.
Just note that you’ll typically pay much more for international award flights, especially in premium classes.
Redeem Miles for Flights With SkyTeam Alliance Partner Airlines
Not only can you redeem your SkyMiles for Delta flights, but you can also purchase award tickets on several Delta partner airlines and SkyTeam Alliance member airlines.
Hot Tip: For tips on getting the best value for your SkyMiles with Delta and partner airlines, we’ve put together this list of redemption possibilities.
Redeem for Seat Upgrades and Ticket Fees
Use your SkyMiles to upgrade your seat during the booking process or on an existing reservation. You can also use your miles to pay for same-day confirmed flight fees, redeposit fees on award miles, or change fees.
Learn more about upgrading to business or first class with Delta.
Redeem for Delta Sky Club Membership and Premium Drinks
If you fly frequently on Delta, the Sky Club just may be your home away from home. Did you know you can pay for your Sky Club membership using Delta SkyMiles?
To purchase an annual Executive Sky Club membership that allows unlimited complimentary access for you and up to 2 guests, you’ll need to spend 84,500 miles. Individual memberships cost 54,500 miles and allow up to 2 guests for $39 each per visit.
You can enjoy a glass of premium Dom Pérignon Champagne at the Sky Club for 2,600 SkyMiles (or $39), while the whole bottle will set you back a reasonable 13,000 SkyMiles (or $195). You can also use miles to purchase other premium drinks.
Additional SkyMiles Redemption Options
While the value you receive may not be as strong as when you redeem for flights or Sky Club drinks, there are several additional redemption options for your SkyMiles, including Delta Vacations and Delta Experiences.
You can also use your miles to purchase gift cards, magazines, or to make a charitable donation.
Bottom Line: There are several ways to redeem your SkyMiles, including award flights on Delta and partner airlines, upgraded seating, change fees, Sky Club membership, Sky Club premium drinks, charity donations, gift cards, and Delta Vacations/Experiences.
A Faster Path to Delta Medallion Elite Status
Spending on your Delta Platinum card can help you reach elite status faster. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines
To attain Medallion status with Delta, you must fly the required amount of Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) or flight segments (MQSs) and meet certain qualifying spending requirements for flights (MQDs).
Spending on your Delta Platinum card, however, can help you earn extra MQMs and even waive the MQD requirement to help expedite your path to Delta elite status.
17. Earn MQMs with Status Boost
Delta Platinum cardholders can earn valuable MQMs by spending on their card.
With Delta Status Boost, you can earn 10,000 MQMs 2 times per year after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year. MQMs count toward elite status and are different from the redeemable SkyMiles used to purchase award flights.
18. Waive the Medallion Elite MQD Requirement
Once you’ve spent $25,000 on your Delta Platinum card in a calendar year, the MQD requirement for Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion elite status is waived.
To waive the MQD requirement for Diamond Medallion status, you must spend $250,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Waiving either MQD requirement by spending on your card also gives you priority for a complimentary upgraded seat over those who have not met the requirement in the current calendar year, all else being equal.
Bottom Line: Delta Platinum card members can enjoy a faster path to qualifying for Medallion Elite status by spending on the card. Cardmembers can earn up to 20,000 MQMs and waive the annual MQD requirement in each calendar year.
Travel Protection and Benefits
Your Delta Platinum card comes with several travel benefits including baggage insurance and car rental coverage. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines
19. Trip Delay Insurance
If your flight is delayed 12 hours or more, you could receive up to $300 for reimbursement of eligible expenses.
20. Baggage Insurance Plan
Receive up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage per person, per trip, that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Checked luggage has a benefit limit of $500 per person, per trip. Coverage is secondary to any other coverage that might apply, including coverage with the airline.
Tickets on the common carrier must be paid for with your eligible card.
21. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Reserve and pay for your rental car with your card, decline the rental agency’s CDW or LDW coverage, and receive coverage of up to $50,000 if the car is damaged or stolen. Coverage is secondary to any other car insurance that would otherwise cover the loss.
22. Global Assist Hotline
Use the hotline 24/7 when you’re 100 miles or more away from home. Receive assistance with lost luggage, translation services, passport replacement, and more.
23. No Foreign Transaction Fees
Your Delta Platinum card can join you on your international travels as there will be no foreign transaction fees incurred when using your card.
Shopping Protections and Benefits
24. Purchase Protection
Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive up to $10,000 in coverage if the item is damaged or stolen. Coverage is limited to 90 days from the date of purchase and the benefit limit is $50,000 a year.
25. Extended Warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less will be extended for an additional year when the eligible item is purchased with your card.
26. The American Express Auto Purchasing Program
Use your card to charge at least $2,000 of the purchase price and receive up to $2,000 in post-purchase benefits. You’ll also receive competitive (or even discounted) pricing on your purchase.
27. Amex Offers
The Delta Platinum card is issued by American Express who offers statement credits and additional earning opportunities to its cardholders in the form of Amex Offers.
You’ll find these offers posted to your online card account. Simply add the offer to your card, make the eligible purchase, and receive a rebate or extra earnings.
Hot Tip: You could save hundreds of dollars each year using Amex Offers. See our guide to the best current Amex Offers, covering travel, dining, entertainment, and shopping offers.
28. Cell Phone Protection
Delta Platinum cardholders now receive up to $1,600 in cell phone protection (2 claims per year with up to $800 for each claim) against theft and damage, including cosmetic damage (like a cracked phone screen). Each claim has a $50 deductible and your monthly phone bill should be paid with your Delta Platinum card to receive coverage.
Final Thoughts
If you’re flying frequently with Delta, having a Delta-branded credit card makes a lot of sense, especially if you don’t have elite status. The Delta Platinum card features elite-like perks including free checked bags, priority boarding, discounts for lounge access, a discount on CLEAR membership, and more. All of these make the card worthy of your consideration if you’re a Delta flyer.
If you’re currently paying for Delta Sky Club membership, however, you should consider the Delta Reserve card, which includes complimentary lounge access.
Although the Delta Reserve card has a higher annual fee than the Delta Platinum card, perks like Sky Club membership and a first class companion certificate make it a worthwhile choice if you can use those benefits.
If you’re a business owner and fly Delta, you’ll also want to review the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and/or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
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