27 Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
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As a Delta frequent flyer, you’re probably aware that there are a variety of Delta-branded credit cards available. American Express issues the cards and has done an exceptional job of marketing this card collection to Delta flyers.
Amex has also made sure that 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 Delta benefits as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is, but it does offer great value for the frequent Delta traveler with a lower annual fee.
In this article we’re going to cover:
- The card’s elevated earning potential
- Benefits offered when traveling on Delta
- Expanded redemption options for having the card
- How the card can help you reach elite status
- Additional travel and shopping benefits
Let’s take a look at all the reasons the Delta Platinum card creates value for the Delta flyer.
Note: the Delta Platinum card is changing. This article reflects changes for applications received on or after January 30, 2020.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Earning Delta SkyMiles
There are a lot of ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, especially when you take advantage of bonus category spending.
Here’s how to earn lots of SkyMiles with your Delta Platinum card.
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.
In addition to earning bonus miles as your welcome bonus, the bonus may also include Medallion Qualifying Miles that count toward elite status.
2. Earn More on Delta Purchases
Use your card for direct 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 be earning 3 miles for every dollar you spend on hotels worldwide. Prepaid hotel nights and nights booked with third parties do not qualify. However, purchases made directly with the hotel will earn 3 miles per dollar spent.
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 — every dollar you spend at U.S. supermarkets will also earn 2 miles per dollar spent.
5. Earn on Every Purchase You Make
You’ll be earning at least 1 mile per dollar on every 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 is no additional charge to add an additional user to your card and 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 everyday dining and 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, 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
Each year on your card anniversary, you will receive a Main Cabin companion certificate. Just purchase your round-trip domestic flight ticket and you will receive 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 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 done with security screening.
With the Delta Platinum card, you’ll also pay less for membership. Normally CLEAR membership costs $179 per year but with the Delta Platinum card, membership is just $109.
16. 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 privileges of having the Delta Platinum card but we’re including these options to illustrate the multitude of ways to redeem miles earned on the card.
Pay With Miles
Delta Platinum cardmembers can enjoy the option of paying for specific Delta flights using miles. You’ll receive $50 in credit towards the purchase for every 5,000 miles redeemed.
Tickets purchased with Pay with Miles earn redeemable bonus miles and the portion of the ticket paid for in cash will earn Medallion Qualifying Miles.
Redeem Miles for Delta Award Flights
While Delta does not publish an award redemption chart, you can 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.
You’ll pay much more for international award flights.
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 Sky Team Alliance member airlines.
Hot Tip: For tips on getting the best value for your SkyMiles with Delta and partner airlines, we’ve put together a nice 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 ticket change fees.
You can learn more about upgrading to business or first class with Delta in this related article.
Redeem for Delta Sky Club Membership and Premium Drinks
If you fly frequently on Delta, the Sky Club 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 just 54,500 miles and allow up to 2 guests for $39 each per visit.
You can also savor a glass of premium Dom Perignon Champagne at the Sky Club for just 1,750 SkyMiles (or $35). You can also purchase other premium drinks using your miles.
Redeem Miles at the SkyMiles Marketplace and More
The SkyMiles Marketplace offers several additional redemption options for your SkyMiles including hotel stays, car rentals, luggage, and other travel accessories.
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, charity donations, and shopping at the SkyMiles Marketplace.
A Faster Path to Delta Medallion Elite Status
To attain Medallion Elite status with Delta annually you must fly the required amount of Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) or flight segments (MQS) and meet certain qualifying spending requirements for flights (MQD).
Spending on your Delta Platinum card, however, can earn MQM and waive the MQD requirement to help expedite your path to elite status with Delta.
17. Earn MQMs with Status Boost™
Delta Platinum cardholders can earn MQMs toward Medallion Elite status by spending on their card.
With Delta Status Boost™, once you’ve spent $25,000 in a calendar year on your Delta Platinum card, you will earn 10,000 MQMs. Spend a total of $50,000 in a calendar year and receive another 10,000 MQMs for a total of 20,000 MQMs toward elite status.
18. Waive the Medallion Elite Revenue MQD Requirement
Once you have 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 grants 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.
Travel Protection and Benefits
19. Trip Delay Insurance
When your flight is delayed 12 hours or more, you could receive a benefit of up to $300 for reimbursement of eligible expenses.
20. Baggage Insurance Plan
Receive a benefit of 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 and receive coverage of up to $50,000 if the car is damaged or stolen. Coverage is secondary (not primary) to any other car insurance that would otherwise cover the loss.
You must decline the rental car company’s collision/loss damage waiver for coverage to be applicable.
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 go along when you travel 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
Manufacturer’s warranties 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, even discounted, pricing on your purchase.
27. 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’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.
You could save hundreds of dollars each year using Amex Offers.
Final Thoughts
If you’re flying frequently with Delta, having a Delta-branded credit card makes a lot of sense, especially if you do not have elite status. The elite-type benefits of a free checked bag and priority boarding, along with discounts for lounge access and membership for expediting airport security, all make the Delta Platinum card a consideration for Delta flyers.
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, Sky Club membership and a first class companion certificate make it a more than worthwhile choice if you can use those benefits.
