26 Benefits of the Amex Delta Platinum Card

If you fly Delta Air Lines with some frequency, you’re probably aware of the various 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 looking at the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card. While not as packed full of benefits as the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, it does offer great value for the frequent Delta traveler with a lower annual fee of $350 (rates and fees).

Let’s uncover the earning potential of the card, your redemption options, Delta-associated benefits, reaching elite status faster, and the card’s travel/shopping benefits and protections.

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 Offer

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 90,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months.

Hot Tip:

See how you might be eligible for an 80,000- or even 100,000-point welcome bonus offer 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 made directly with Delta 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 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 on takeout and delivery in the U.S. and earn 2 miles for every dollar spent. Back at home, you not only earn at restaurants, you also earn 2 miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets.

5. Earn on Every Purchase You Make

You earn at least 1 mile per dollar on every eligible purchase you make with the card.

6. 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.

7. Additional Users

There’s no additional charge to add an authorized user to your card (rates and fees). Their purchases earn SkyMiles, which are deposited into your SkyMiles account.

Bottom Line:

Get elevated earnings of 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and direct hotel purchases worldwide. Your purchases at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. supermarkets, and on takeout and delivery in the U.S. also receive elevated earnings of 2 miles per dollar spent. Every purchase you make earns at least 1 mile per dollar spent. 

Delta Travel Benefits

8. Priority Boarding

Cardmembers and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation get Zone 5 priority boarding. The reservation must be paid for with the Delta Platinum card.

9. 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.

10. Delta SkyMiles Companion Certificate

Each year on your card anniversary, you receive a Main Cabin companion certificate. Purchase your round-trip domestic flight ticket and get a companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flights to select destinations for just the cost of taxes and fees.

Taxes and fees don’t exceed $80 for round-trip domestic flights and don’t exceed $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to 4 flight segments).

11. Inflight Discounts

Use your card for inflight purchases and receive a 20% statement credit. Examples of eligible purchases include headsets, prepurchased meals, inflight food, and alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages.

12. Up to $150 Delta Stays Discount

Delta Stays is Delta’s travel portal, where you can book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. Delta Platinum cardmembers can get up to a $150 annual credit on bookings made via Delta Stays.

13. Up to $120 Ride-Share Credit

You can enroll in a benefit where you earn up to $10 back in monthly credits for using select ride-share platforms. Currently, this benefit applies to Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto.

14. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit

Get an application fee credit when you use your Delta Platinum card to purchase a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. Cardholders will receive a statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.

Redeeming Your Miles

Once you earn more miles on the Delta Platinum card, you’ll have a lot more SkyMiles to redeem.

While Delta Air Lines redemptions aren’t exclusive to the Delta Platinum card, these examples illustrate the multitude of ways to redeem miles earned on the card.

15. Pay With Miles

Delta Platinum cardmembers can pay for certain Delta flights using miles. You 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.

However, you 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 fees for same-day confirmed flights, redeposits of award miles, or changes.

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 need to spend 149,500 miles. Individual memberships cost 69,500 miles.

You can enjoy a glass of Dom Pérignon Champagne at the Sky Club for 2,600 SkyMiles (or $39), while the whole bottle would set you back 13,000 SkyMiles (or $195). You can also use miles to purchase other premium drinks.

Additional SkyMiles Redemption Options

Though 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 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 and Delta Experiences. 

A Faster Path to Delta Medallion Elite Status

To earn elite status with Delta Air Lines, you must meet the minimum Medallion Qualification Dollar, or MQD, requirement within a calendar year.

Hot Tip:

You no longer need to track Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs) or Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) for Delta elite status. Starting in 2024, the only metric used to determine Delta status is Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

Spending on your Delta Platinum card can help you earn extra MQDs to help expedite your path to Delta elite status.

16. Get an MQD Headstart

You receive $2,500 MQDs each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to status with MQD Headstart. Plus, you 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 Protections and Benefits

17. Trip Delay Insurance

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

18. Baggage Insurance Plan

Receive up to $1,250 per person, per trip, for carry-on baggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Checked luggage has a benefit limit of $500 per person on a 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. No Foreign Transaction Fees

Your Delta Platinum card can join you on your international travels, as there are no foreign transaction fees incurred when using your card (rates and fees).

Shopping Protections and Benefits

22. Up to $120 Resy Credit

Delta Platinum cardholders can also enroll in a benefit to get up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. To take advantage of this benefit, you need to create a Resy account on Resy.com or on the Resy app.

23. Purchase Protection

Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive up to $1,000 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 per year.

24. Extended Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less is extended for an additional year when an eligible item is purchased with your card.

25. Amex Offers

The Delta Platinum card is issued by American Express, which offers statement credits and additional earning opportunities to its cardholders in the form of Amex Offers.

You can 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.

26. Cell Phone Protection

Delta Platinum cardholders 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 fly 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 and priority boarding. 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, you should consider the Delta Reserve card given cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting then, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more each calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive 4 one-time guest passes each year.

Although the Delta Reserve card has a higher annual fee than the Delta Platinum card, perks like Sky Club membership and a main cabin companion certificate make it a worthwhile choice if you can use those benefits.

If you’re a business owner and fly Delta, review the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card.

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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 the cell phone protection benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 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.