Delta Platinum Credit Card Review
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, a CardCritics™ advertiser, comes with a substantial welcome offer, bonus miles in a variety of spending categories, and solid travel and purchase protections. However, its best perks could potentially save you money and help justify the $350 annual fee.
Cardholders receive a companion certificate each year, annual statement credit opportunities worth hundreds of dollars, and a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights. This travel credit card is best for duos, not singletons who won’t use the companion certificate and rarely check luggage.
Purchase APR
20.24%-29.24% Variable
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. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
Rewards
1X – 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
Earn 2x miles on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1x miles on other purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
Good – Excellent
Annual Fee
$350
CardCritics™ Opinion
If you fly even once a year as a party of two, the Delta Platinum’s annual companion certificate alone can make it well worth the $350 annual fee. Toss in the free first checked bag on Delta flights and a 15% miles discount when booking award flights on Delta, and you’ll see even more savings. The card comes with credit opportunities that can help justify that annual fee, including up to $150 annually in Delta Stays credit, up to $120 annually in U.S. rideshare credit (enrollment required), and up to $120 in annual credit at U.S. Resy restaurants (enrollment required), but those take a bit more legwork to get the full value.
Our Critical Analysis:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Annual companion certificate
- First free checked bag on Delta flights for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollar Headstart every year
- Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
PROS
- Relatively high annual fee for a mid-tier airline credit card
- Resy and rideshare credits can be hard to maximize (enrollment required)
- Delta Stays credit is only valid on hotels booked via Delta.com
- Companion certificate is only good for eligible flights
CONS
Delta Platinum Benefits
The Delta Platinum comes with a range of benefits that can help justify its annual fee.
Free First Checked Bags
Delta Platinum cardholders receive a first free checked bag on Delta flights for themselves and up to eight companions on the same reservation. That’s a generous perk compared to what other airline credit cards typically offer and can save you a bundle, especially if you fly with a large group of family or friends. Delta charges $35 for the first checked bag, so a family of four people who each check a bag could save $280 on a round-trip journey.
Status Helping Hand
Those chasing Delta Air Lines Medallion® status will appreciate the card’s $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollar (MQD) Headstart every year. Plus, the card’s MQD Boost benefit will earn you $1 MQD for every $20 in purchases you make on the card. The first rung on the Delta status ladder, Silver Medallion, starts at $5,000 MQDs and comes with perks like unlimited complimentary upgrades and higher earning rates on paid flights. Just owning the Delta Platinum Card gets you halfway there.
Faster Airport Experience
The Delta Platinum Card offers an application fee credit of up to $120 for Global Entry every four years or up to an $85 credit every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. These Trusted Traveler Programs get you access to shorter security lines and the ability to go through TSA screening with your shoes on and your laptop in your carry-on bag.
Hundreds of Dollars in Statement Credits
Delta Platinum cardholders can take advantage of a range of statement credit opportunities toward eligible purchases:
- Up to $120 per year in rideshare credit: Earn up to $10 per month as a statement credit toward U.S. rideshare purchases made with your card; enrollment required
- Up to $150 per year in Delta Stays credit: Book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your card through Delta Stays on delta.com, and earn up to $150 each year as a statement credit
- Up to $120 per year in Resy credit: Use your card at U.S. Resy restaurants to receive up to $10 per month as a statement credit; enrollment required.
Delta Platinum Drawbacks
While the Delta Platinum Card comes with an impressive list of benefits, you’ll have to put in a bit of effort and be wary of some restrictions to make the most of them.
Companion Certificate Has Restrictions
A companion pass perk is only a valuable feature if you can actually use it. If your travel plans don’t include the U.S. or the eligible spots in the Caribbean and Central America, the Delta Platinum’s companion certificate won’t be meaningful to you. Additionally, the certificate is only good for flights on Delta planes and doesn’t include partner airlines, so if your desired spot isn’t served by Delta itself, there’s no workaround.
I found this out the hard way when I booked a hotel in Nicaragua for myself and my wife and planned to use the card’s companion certificate to save money on the flights to and from Managua. Unfortunately, Delta doesn’t fly to Nicaragua; in fact, it’s one of the only countries in Central America it doesn’t fly to. I made a rookie mistake when I saw in the card’s marketing that the companion certificate included Central America, but I didn’t check where in Central America. We’ll get there another way, but now I know better.
No Lounge Access
You might expect that a Delta credit card with a several-hundred-dollar price tag would offer at least some access to Delta Sky Club® airport lounges. Unfortunately, the card doesn’t offer Sky Club or any other airport lounge access.
15% Award Discount Has Limitations
The card’s TakeOff 15 discount on Delta award flight bookings can save you plenty of miles to use for your next trip, but again, you’ll only get that discount for flights on Delta planes, not partner or codeshare flights. I’ve found that to be annoying because I often want to use miles to book international Delta partner flights, and I have to pay the full award price.
It’s Still a Big Annual Fee
Although the Delta Platinum Card comes with the companion certificate and a host of other potential credits, it still requires some work to maximize those benefits. Essentially, you’re prepaying $350 each year for a companion ticket, credits for Delta Stays, the ability to enroll in rideshare credits and Resy credits, and day-of-travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. That may not appeal to you if you don’t want to keep track of numerous perks.
Who Is the Card Best For?
The Delta Platinum Card is best for someone who can make Delta their first choice of airline and is confident they can get more than $350 worth of value out of the card every year. For example, someone who flies cross-country with a partner at peak times can easily get their money’s worth with the companion certificate perk alone. Those who can also maximize the card’s other credits will get far more value than the annual cost of ownership.
But if using up those additional credits for rideshares, Delta Stays and Resy is too cumbersome, you may want to choose a Delta credit card with a lower annual fee and save the money to buy your companion their own ticket.
Is It The Right Card For You?
The Delta Platinum Card is right for you if:
- You fly Delta often, and at least once a year with a companion
- You enroll and can use the card’s rideshare, Resy, Delta Stays and Trusted Traveler Program credits
- You’ll take advantage of airline-specific perks like free checked baggage, priority boarding and complimentary upgrades when available
- You aren’t seeking a card with airport lounge access
Delta Platinum Card Alternatives
The Delta Platinum isn’t the only game in town when it comes to getting Delta perks with a credit card. Here are some alternative American Express cards to consider:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (an advertising partner): The Delta Gold charges a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. It’s a good pick for budget-conscious Delta flyers who still want perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights. It doesn’t come with as many bells and whistles as other co-branded Delta cards, but you’ll still earn a decent range of benefits, including up to $100 as a statement credit each year toward prepaid hotels and vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (an advertising partner): The Delta Reserve charges a hefty $650 annual fee, but it comes with a perk that makes it well worth it to frequent travelers. Cardholders receive access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta, with up to 15 visits per year included (with unlimited visits unlocked after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year). Plus, when you use your card to book a Delta flight, you can access the American Express Centurion lounges. Other worthwhile benefits include similar perks to the Delta Platinum, including a companion certificate, but it’s the lounge access that makes the card stand out. Buying a separate Delta Sky Club membership starts at $695 annually.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (an advertising partner): American Express lounge access is among the best out there, and frequent flyers can get massive value from the Amex Platinum, albeit at a $695 annual fee. Still, the card comes with up to 10 Delta Sky Club lounge visits per year when flying Delta, plus unlimited Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass lounge access (enrollment required), Plaza Premium lounge access and more. The card also comes with hundreds of dollars in statement credit opportunities toward eligible dining, travel and retail purchases. Rewards maximizers can come out well ahead of that annual fee, but it does take some work. Notably, you can transfer the American Express Membership Rewards® earned with the card into your Delta SkyMiles account at a 1:1 ratio.
Card Details From American Express
- 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. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- 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.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta 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.
How Does the Delta Platinum Card Stack Up Against Competitors?
Here’s how the Delta Platinum compares to other co-branded Delta credit cards.
Delta Platinum Card | Delta Gold Card | Delta Reserve Card | |
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. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. | 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. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. | Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. |
Annual Fee | $350 | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | $650 |
Regular APR | 20.24%-29.24% Variable APR | 20.24%-29.24% Variable APR | 20.24%-29.24% Variable APR |
Rewards | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2x miles on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1x miles on other purchases. | 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. | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Standout Perks | Free first checked bag on Delta flights Priority boarding on Delta flights Companion certificate Statement credits toward Delta Stays, U.S rideshares and U.S Resy purchases (enrollment required) |
Free first checked bag on Delta flights Priority boarding on Delta flights Statement credits toward Delta Stays purchases |
Free first checked bag on Delta flights Priority boarding on Delta flights Companion certificate Delta Sky Club lounge access Statement credits toward Delta Stays, U.S rideshares and U.S Resy purchases (enrollment required) |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Delta Platinum
What is the annual fee for the Delta Platinum?
The annual fee for the Delta Platinum is $350.
Does the Delta Platinum come with lounge access?
The Delta Platinum does not come with lounge access. If you’re seeking Delta Sky Club access, you may want to consider the Delta Reserve, which offers up to 15 complimentary Sky Club visits per year. After that, additional passes can be purchased for $50 per visit. Or, if you spend $75,000 or more with your Delta Reserve in a calendar year, you can unlock unlimited visits to the Sky Club.
How does MQD Boost work?
The Delta Platinum offers an MQD Boost designed to help you reach Medallion® elite status faster. Cardholders earn $1 MQD for every $20 they spend on the card. Medallion® members receive benefits like higher earning rates on paid flights and seat upgrades when available.
What credit score do you need for a Delta Platinum?
Although Amex doesn’t reveal the exact credit score needed for the Delta Platinum card, you’ll have the best shot at approval with at least a good credit score. Amex will also consider other factors, such as your overall financial picture, when evaluating your application.
Can you transfer Delta SkyMiles to partner airlines?
You can’t transfer SkyMiles to other airlines, but you can redeem them for flights on Delta’s partner airlines.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.