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25 Benefits of the Amex Delta Platinum Card

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Christine Krzyszton
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Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

306 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 98U.S. States Visited: 45

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

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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 of $350 (rates & fees).

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!

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 bonus offers 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. Here is the Delta Platinum card’s current welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.

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 (rates & fees). Their purchases earn SkyMiles which 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. 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.

10. 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.

11. Delta SkyMiles Companion Certificate

Delta Companion
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 certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations for just the cost of the taxes and fees.

Taxes and fees won’t exceed $80 for round-trip domestic flights and won’t exceed $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments).

12. 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.

13. 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.

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.

14. Pay With Miles

Delta One Suites A350
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.

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 149,500 miles. Individual memberships cost 69,500 miles.

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

Delta Elite Status Qualification
Spending on your Delta Platinum card can help you reach elite status faster. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines

To earn 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). **Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.

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.

15. Get an MQD Headstart

Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart. Plus, you’ll also earn 1 MQD for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta Platinum card in a calendar year so you get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for the next Medallion Year.

Travel Protection and Benefits

Woman waiting for bag on luggage carousel at airport
Your Delta Platinum card comes with several travel benefits including baggage insurance and car rental coverage. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines

16. Trip Delay Insurance

If your flight is delayed 12 hours or more, you could receive up to $300 for reimbursement of eligible expenses.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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 (rates & fees).

Shopping Protections and Benefits

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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, 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 to the Delta Sky Club® when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You will receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.

Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

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 the trip delay insurance benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, up to $300 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. 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, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for eligible persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a common carrier vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. 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 car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. 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 global assist hotline benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. 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, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase with their eligible card, purchase protection can help protect their covered purchases for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. 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 rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Delta Platinum card worth it?

Yes, the Delta Platinum card is worth it if you fly Delta often and can utilize the benefits.

For example, you can save plenty by having a free checked bag for you and your traveling companions each trip. If you normally pay for Delta Sky Club access or you can utilize the companion ticket certificate, you’ll save even more.

Being able to pay for your flights with miles, having priority boarding, and the ability to reach Delta elite status faster are all additional benefits that provide value to the Delta flyer.

Can I transfer Delta miles to other airlines?

While you cannot transfer your Delta SkyMiles to other airlines, you can book award flights on partner airlines and on other SkyTeam alliance airlines.

This effectively allows you to book flights to over 1,000 destinations using your Delta SkyMiles.

How many miles do I need for a Delta flight?

Normally it takes at least 10,000 SkyMiles to book a one-way award ticket but most flights will cost you much more. Delta also runs flash sales where ticket prices are reduced.

How does Delta Pay with Miles work?

The “Pay with Miles” benefit that comes with your Delta Platinum card allows you to use a minimum of 5,000 SkyMiles towards the purchase of an eligible flight.

You’ll receive $50 off the price of the ticket for every 5,000 miles redeemed, and you can cover just a portion or the entire cost of the ticket.

Does the Delta Platinum card have lounge access?

The Delta Platinum card does not come with complimentary Delta Sky Club Access. Currently, cardholders get access to Delta Sky Club at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests or immediate family while flying together on Delta. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.

Christine Krzyszton's image

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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