Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card – 2025 Review

Quick Stats at a Glance

Card Overview and Positioning

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum card caters to fliers who want substantial Delta perks but aren’t ready for the $550 Delta Reserve® annual fee. With Platinum, you get a companion certificate (Main Cabin), a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and partial lounge privileges—discount access to Delta Sky Club®, but no free Centurion Lounge access. The $250 annual fee can be offset if you use the companion certificate or check enough bags.

Earning Miles & Travel Emphasis

3x miles: on Delta purchases and on eligible Hotels booked via Amex Travel. 2x miles: at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. 1x mile: on all other spend.

This structure heavily rewards Delta flights, but also recognizes that many travelers incur significant hotel nights. Keep in mind the “Hotels” bonus typically applies only if you book via AmexTravel.com. If you want hotel elite benefits with brands like Marriott or Hilton, booking direct might matter more— but you’d earn only 1x on direct hotel brand websites with this card.

Redeeming Your Delta SkyMiles®

Miles are best redeemed for award flights on Delta or partner airlines (Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, etc.). While Delta no longer publishes an official award chart, you can find sweet spots—particularly for domestic flights or certain international partners. Typically, aim for at least 1.3–1.5 cents per mile to feel satisfied. For example, a $300 domestic round-trip might cost 25,000 miles (1.2 cpm), whereas some international routes in business class might yield 2+ cpm if you find a deal.

You can also redeem miles for seat upgrades, Delta Vacations® packages, or basic gift cards, but flight redemptions typically yield the highest value for frequent travelers.

Medallion® Status & MQM Boosts

One of the biggest draws for Platinum is it helps you reach or maintain Delta Medallion® Status:

• MQMs (Medallion® Qualification Miles): Earn a set chunk of MQMs after hitting a certain annual spend threshold (historically $25k / $50k). Each threshold typically yields ~10,000 MQMs, helping you climb from Silver to Gold or even Platinum status if your flight activity is close to the requirement.
• MQD Waiver: If you spend enough (historically $25k+ annually) on the card, you might bypass the MQD requirement for some Medallion® tiers, meaning you don’t need the $3k–$9k flight spending threshold to achieve the same tier. However, for Diamond status, you might need $250k spend or a partial MQD requirement. Check the 2025 MQD rules for the newest details, as Delta changes them frequently.

This synergy is huge for frequent Delta fliers who can’t put all that spending on cheaper or more flexible cards. The extra miles and status can drastically improve your travel experience (upgrades, free Comfort+ seats, etc.).

Lounge Access & Travel Perks

With the Platinum card, you can access Delta Sky Club® at a discounted rate (~$50 per visit), or for free if you hold Delta Medallion® with a lounge membership. However, unlike the Delta Reserve or Amex Platinum, there’s no complimentary entry. Another perk is the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years if you pay the enrollment fee with your Platinum card—a nice time-saver for frequent travelers.

Also, you get Priority Boarding (Zone 1) on Delta flights, waiving the scramble for overhead bin space, plus that first checked bag freefor you and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.

Companion Certificate: A Major Value

Each card renewal (after your first year), you get a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate. That means you buy your own Delta flight (plus taxes/fees) and can bring one companion on the same itinerary for free, aside from ~ $75 in taxes/fees. If you find a $400 domestic flight, that can net $400 in savings, already offsetting your $250 annual fee.

Note that certain seat classes or routes might be restricted, and you can’t use it on international flights. Still, it’s one of the largest cost-saving features if you travel with a spouse/friend at least once a year.

Annual Fee & Overall Costs

The annual fee is currently $250. There’s no foreign transaction fee, so you can use it abroad without penalty. After any intro APR (sometimes 0% for purchases for 6 months, but not always), the ongoing APR is 20.74%–29.74% variable. Avoid interest by paying in full, especially because carrying a balance can quickly negate the card’s benefits.

For many, the free checked bag and companion certificate can recoup the $250 fairly easily if you fly Delta more than once or twice per year domestically.

2025 Updates & Potential Changes

1. MQD Requirement Shifts: Delta frequently adjusts the Medallion® qualification thresholds. Watch for new MQD or MQM spending rules that might affect your status strategy.
2. Renewal Timing on Companion Cert:Terms might shift to your anniversary date or card membership date. Keep an eye on official Amex communications.
3. New Lounge Rules: Potential changes in Sky Club® policy, possibly limiting the $50 entry to a certain number of visits or restricting busy hours.
4. Promotional Sign-Up Bonuses:We often see limited-time 90k or 100k mile offers for the Platinum card. 2025 may bring an even bigger bonus if competition intensifies.

As always, check official announcements for the latest terms. Delta and Amex are known to tweak perks in response to market demands.

Real-Life Example: Earning & Savings

Let’s assume you spend $6,000 on flights with Delta, $3,000 at U.S. supermarkets, and $2,000 at restaurants yearly, plus general $5,000 on other purchases:

33,000 miles might be worth ~$400 if redeemed at ~1.2 cpm, or more if used wisely. Add in the companion certificate (saving $400+ on a domestic flight), plus a free checked bag a few times a year, and you easily justify the $250 annual fee. The intangible benefit of boosting Medallion® Status further sweetens the deal.

Competitor Analysis

How does Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex compare to other mid-tier airline/travel cards?

The Delta Platinum stands out if you frequently fly Delta and desire advanced status benefits. United or American fans might pick their respective cards at a lower fee but with fewer premium perks. A general travel card (Sapphire Preferred) is good if you want flexible points, but you lose airline-specific extras like the companion certificate or baggage waivers.

Pairing Delta Platinum with Other Amex Cards

Some travelers hold a Delta Reserve or an Amex Platinum card for lounge access, and keep the Delta Platinum for additional MQM boosts or that companion certificate. But typically, you’d pick one main Delta co-branded card unless you have a specific reason to carry multiple (like maximizing status miles). Alternatively, you can pair Delta Platinum with a general Membership Rewards®-earning card (like the Amex Gold or Green) to earn flexible points on non-Delta categories and then transfer to Delta SkyMiles.

Foreign Transaction Fee or Not?

Great news: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum has no FTF, meaning you can use it internationally without paying an extra 3% fee. If you’re traveling abroad on Delta or any partner airline, you can keep earning miles and enjoy the free checked bag on Delta flights from overseas as well. However, not all partner flights are equally recognized for baggage or lounge privileges, so double-check if you’re on a codeshare or alliance flight.

Potential Downsides & Considerations

• $250 Annual Fee:Some might find it steep if you only fly Delta occasionally.
• Limited Lounge Access:You have to pay a discounted entry, not free. If you want unlimited lounge visits, consider Delta Reserve or Amex Platinum.
• Not Great for Non-Delta Loyalists:If you switch airlines often, the bag and companion perks are less valuable.
• Hotel 3x Restriction:Must book via Amex Travel, possibly losing direct hotel loyalty benefits.
• Sometimes Underpowered vs. Delta Reserve®: If you crave top-tier lounge + MQM boosts, you might upgrade to Reserve or pair with an alternative premium card.

Advanced Travel Tips

1. Maximize Companion Certificate Value:Use it on flights that cost ~$300+ to offset the $250 fee. Book early to ensure seat availability.
2. Spending Thresholds for MQMs:If you’re near a tier, ramp up your card spend to hit $25k or $50k for those extra MQMs or MQD waivers. Only do so if the incremental miles/benefits outweigh potential rewards you’d get from other cards.
3. Combine with Delta Vacation Packages: If you pay with this card, you earn 3x miles, plus any Delta Vacations® bonus miles occasionally offered. It can stack well for big annual trips.
4. Use Priority Boarding Wisely:If traveling with carry-ons, get on earlier to secure overhead bin space, especially on busy routes.
5. Check Partners for Higher CPM:Sometimes redeeming miles on Virgin Atlantic or KLM yields better redemption rates. Explore Delta’s partner routes to maximize your miles further.

Another Real-Life Example: Big Trip Strategy

Suppose you plan a large family trip:

• Two round-trip Delta tickets (domestic) at $400 each → Use your companion certificate for the second traveler → saving ~$400 after taxes/fees (~$75).
• You check 3 bags total across the family → Each bag might have cost $30 each way → $90 in baggage savings if they’re all on same reservation (bag fees vary by route, but typically $30–$60 each way per bag).
• Spending on Delta flights: $400 (the one you pay for) → 3x = 1,200 miles. If you also pay for other family tickets with your card, you can earn 3x on those base fares, too.

Total intangible value from a single trip can exceed $600, which easily surpasses the $250 annual fee. Add monthly grocery/restaurant 2x usage and the occasional MQM boost, and the card’s synergy for Delta loyalists is evident.

Competitors & Alternatives

If you’re not fully set on Delta or want to explore other airline/travel combos:

• Amex Gold®: 4x on dining and U.S. supermarkets, flexible points you can transfer to Delta, $250 AF, but no airline baggage or companion perk.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex: $99 AF, fewer perks, no companion certificate, less synergy with MQMs, but cheaper for light Delta travelers.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Amex: $550 AF, full Sky Club® access, bigger MQM boosts, but pricier if you don’t travel enough to justify it.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Preferred®: Flexible points, robust travel benefits, but no direct Delta baggage or companion perks; you can transfer UR points to airline partners (not Delta directly, but you can do it via Virgin Atlantic or Air France sometimes for Delta flights).

Should You Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex?

Bottom Line: Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex Worth $250?

If you fly Delta at least a few times a year, need the companion certificate, and crave moderate lounge perks + faster status attainment, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a compelling mid-tier choice. The annual fee can be recouped via one big domestic trip using the companion pass, plus a few checked bags. Earning 3x on Delta/hotel bookings further sweetens the mileage haul for your travels.

If you prefer top-tier lounge access or top-tier MQMs, jump to the Reserve. If you rarely check bags or only take minimal flights on Delta, the cheaper Gold card might suffice. But for many frequent travelers wanting a solid blend of perks, miles, and status help—Platinum hits the sweet spot.

Disclaimer

Terms and offers can change. Always verify the current welcome bonus, interest rates, fees, and Medallion® qualification details with Delta and Amex. We may earn a commission from affiliate links, but editorial opinions remain our own. Examples of redemption or mileage values are estimates and may differ from your actual usage or flight availability.