Travel

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex evaluate: Fast-track towards Medallion standing and 90,000 bonus miles

February 5, 2023

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Editor’s be aware: This is a recurring publish, repeatedly up to date with new info.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card overview

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is an efficient selection for Delta loyalists who want a little bit assist reaching their elite standing targets. This card affords worthwhile perks, together with a home companion certificates annually after renewing your card, the power to buy Sky Club entry when flying Delta on a per-visit foundation, and your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is likely one of the greatest bank cards for Delta vacationers and presently affords new cardholders the prospect to earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases in your new Card in your first six months of account opening. Offer ends March 29.

This card has engaging perks for Delta loyalists in alternate for a $250 annual payment (see charges and charges), together with an annual companion certificates and the power to spend your approach to a Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver — amongst different perks.

The Delta Platinum Amex is an particularly wonderful match if you happen to’re chasing Delta Medallion elite standing however will probably come up a bit brief on MQMs or MQDs.

Delta Platinum Amex present welcome supply

The Delta Platinum Amex presently earns 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your new Card in your first six months of account opening. Offer ends March 29.

Based on TPG’s valuation of Delta miles at 1.41 cents every, this bonus is value about $1,269, making this near one of the best supply we have seen for this card. However, you probably received’t be eligible for this welcome supply in case you have the Delta Amex Platinum or have had it earlier than. Amex can also think about the variety of American Express playing cards you’ve opened and closed and different elements when deciding whether or not you’re eligible to earn the welcome supply.

Luckily, Amex will notify you if you happen to aren’t eligible for a welcome supply, displaying a message quickly after submitting your software. So, don’t ignore any messages or warnings that seem after you hit submit.

Earning miles on the Delta Platinum Amex

You’ll earn Delta SkyMiles whenever you make eligible purchases with the Delta Platinum Amex. In specific, you’ll earn Delta miles along with your card as follows:

3 miles per greenback on purchases made straight with Delta and at motels.
2 miles per greenback on purchases made at eating places and U.S. supermarkets.
1 mile per greenback on different eligible purchases.

Since TPG’s valuations peg the worth of worth Delta miles at 1.41 cents every, you’ll get an efficient return of roughly 4.7% on purchases with Delta and at motels, 3.1% on purchases at eating places and U.S. supermarkets, and 1.6% on different purchases. Though a loyal Delta traveler might get pleasure from incomes bonus SkyMiles on these purchases, none of those returns are near one of the best you are able to do in these classes.

For starters, in case you have one of many greatest bank cards for reserving flights, you’ll probably wish to use it. And different playing cards high every of the Delta Platinum Amex’s different bonus classes: motels, restaurants, supermarkets and on a regular basis spending. But, it’s possible you’ll wish to put purchases on the Delta Platinum Amex even when it doesn’t present one of the best return if you happen to’re working towards a spending threshold to earn bonus MQMs or the aforementioned MQD waiver.

Redeeming miles on the Delta Platinum Amex

Delta’s SkyMiles program doesn’t have one of the best popularity amongst factors and miles buffs. After all, Delta has devalued its miles many instances through the years. And Delta doesn’t publish an official award chart. So, award prices can skyrocket in a single day. But there are nonetheless some nice methods to get worth out of the Delta SkyMiles program.

For instance, Delta has frequent flash gross sales. In the previous, we’ve seen offers like home awards from 2,000 SkyMiles one-way, awards to Alaska for as little as 5,000 SkyMiles round-trip, transcontinental awards from 10,000 SkyMiles round-trip and flights to Europe from 16,000 SkyMiles round-trip. I’ve even booked a Delta One award from New York to Bogota for twenty-four,000 miles round-trip.

Consider snagging among the nice candy spots when utilizing SkyMiles to fly Delta associate airways. This consists of awards on SkyStaff companions equivalent to Air France and Korean Air, however this system additionally has some non-alliance companions, together with Air Tahiti Nui.

Just be aware that some associate awards don’t present on Delta’s web site, together with awards on Air Europa, Air Tahiti Nui, Czech Airlines and Kenya Airways. As a consequence, you’ll wish to use ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s father or mother firm, Red Ventures) or one other SkyStaff web site like Flying Blue to seek out availability earlier than calling to e book awards on these companions.

You can even use Delta miles to improve current tickets — although the worth you get right here isn’t almost as robust.
Related: How to earn and maximize 100,000 Delta SkyMiles

Delta Platinum Amex advantages

The Delta Platinum Amex affords many perks for Delta flyers. But cardholders chasing Delta elite standing will profit probably the most, for the reason that card affords the potential to earn MQMs and snag an MQD waiver via spending. This part will take a better take a look at all the Delta Platinum Amex’s perks and advantages.

MQD waiver

As a Delta Platinum Amex cardholder, you’ll be able to earn an MQD waiver whenever you hit particular spending thresholds in your card. Earning an MQD waiver will assist if you happen to’ve gathered the required MQMs or Medallion Qualification Segments for a specific standing tier however haven’t reached the mandatory MQD threshold.

To earn an MQD waiver, you’ll must make $25,000 of eligible purchases in your card throughout the calendar qualification yr for Silver, Gold or Platinum Medallion standing. But if you happen to’re engaged on getting Diamond Medallion standing, you’ll must make $250,000 of eligible purchases along with your card throughout the calendar yr to snag an MQD waiver.

Earn MQMs with the Status Boost perk

If you’re trying to earn some additional MQMs, the Delta Platinum Amex‘s Status Boost perk can help. This benefit allows you to earn 10,000 bonus MQMs after spending $25,000 in a calendar year and another 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000 in the same year. If you acquire both of these bonuses, you’ll be simply 5,000 MQMs in need of Silver Medallion standing.

Annual companion certificates

The different main profit supplied by the Delta Platinum Amex is an annual companion certificates.

You’ll obtain this perk annually after your account renewal. The Delta companion certificates is legitimate for round-trip, foremost cabin home journey booked in fare lessons L, U, T, X or V. All you’ll must pay for the companion ticket is taxes and charges. Note that this excludes the provider’s primary financial system tickets (which e book into E fare class) and most higher-priced financial system lessons.

Nevertheless, if you happen to use this certificates for costly flights, you’ll be able to simply cowl most (or all) of the cardboard’s annual payment.

Other perks

The Delta Platinum Amex additionally affords a number of different advantages it’s possible you’ll discover useful:

15% award redemption low cost: Get 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights (when paying taxes and charges with this card).
First checked bag free: Get the first checked bag free on Delta flights for you and as much as eight companions touring on the identical reservation, even when flying on a Delta primary financial system ticket.
Priority boarding: Get Main Cabin 1 precedence boarding for you and as much as eight companions touring on the identical reservation on Delta flights, even when flying on a Delta primary financial system ticket.
Inflight financial savings: Get 20% again within the type of an announcement credit score whenever you use your card to pre-purchase meals or purchase inflight meals, alcoholic drinks or audio headsets on Delta-operated flights.
Ability to buy Sky Club entry: Cardholders should purchase membership entry at a per-visit charge of $50 per particular person per location when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Cardholders can carry as much as two visitors or instant household (partner or home associate and youngsters below 21 years of age) at this charge.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck payment credit score: Get a Global Entry software payment reimbursed each 4 years or a TSA PreCheck software payment reimbursed each 4 1/2 years.
Travel protections: Enjoy a number of protection whenever you buy journey with the cardboard.
Shopping protections: Enjoy entry to sure protections whenever you purchase eligible gadgets along with your card.
No international transaction charges (see charges and charges).

Fortunately, Delta ties advantages such because the checked baggage allowance and precedence boarding to your Delta SkyMiles account. So, you don’t must e book flights along with your Delta Platinum Amex to get entry to those perks.

Which playing cards compete with the Delta Platinum Amex?

If you have an interest within the Delta Platinum Amex since you fly (or plan to fly) Delta regularly, you may additionally be desirous about these choices.

If you need Delta perks with a decrease annual payment: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an efficient selection for getting Delta perks however with a decrease annual payment of $99 ($0 intro payment the primary yr, see charges and charges). You’ll earn bonus factors on qualifying Delta flights in addition to on purchases at U.S. grocery store and eating places. And you’ll nonetheless get Delta perks like a free checked bag and a $100 flight credit score after you spend $10,000 in your card in a calendar yr. For extra info, try our full evaluate of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex.
If you need Delta Sky Club entry: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has a better annual payment of $550 (see charges and charges) however affords complimentary Delta Sky Club entry for you and provides you two one-time visitor passes annually. You’ll additionally get perks like an annual companion certificates, a free checked bag and improve precedence in addition to a credit score for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. For extra info, try our full evaluate of the Delta Skymiles Reserve Amex.
If you desire a card with extra versatile rewards: The Platinum Card® from American Express provides you wonderful journey advantages and earns rewards that you may switch to any of American Express’s journey companions. It affords complete lounge entry and over $1,500 in annual credit however does include a better annual payment of $695 (see charges and charges). For extra info, try our full evaluate of the Amex Platinum.

For extra choices, try our full checklist of greatest airline bank cards and greatest American Express bank cards.

Read extra: Credit card showdown: Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum Amex

Is the Delta Platinum Amex value it?

This is a good card in order for you Delta perks like an annual companion certificates and a free checked bag. It’s additionally good for incomes bonus miles in your Delta purchases and resort, eating and grocery store purchases. However, the $250 annual payment could also be arduous to justify if you happen to do not fly Delta typically sufficient to maximise the worth of this card’s advantages.

Bottom line

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card generally is a welcome boost to your pockets if Delta is your provider of selection. Its $250 annual payment could appear excessive in comparison with the lower-annual-fee Delta Gold Amex, however you get a beneficiant welcome supply and worthwhile advantages in return.

The skill to fast-track Delta elite standing is the place the Delta Platinum Amex shines the brightest, however the annual companion certificates can even present vital worth. Just do not forget that to maximise your total journey incomes technique, you’ll probably wish to pair the Delta Platinum with different playing cards that supply larger bonus spending classes.

Apply right here for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card with a 90,000-mile bonus supply. Offer ends March 29.

For charges and charges of the Delta Platinum Amex, please click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta Gold Amex, please click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta Reserve Amex, please click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, please click on right here.

Additional reporting by Emily Thompson, Ryan Wilcox, Benji Stawski, Juan Ruiz and Christina Ly.