Card reviewAmerican Express
Updated Apr 14, 2026 · research
DS
American ExpressDelta SkyMilesEditorially reviewed

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Earn Delta SkyMiles on every purchase with bonus miles on Delta flights and hotel stays, plus travel perks including a companion certificate and MQD boost.

Mid TierPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: good
$350
Annual fee
3x miles delta purchases
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

50,000 miles

$600 estimated value

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

issuer page

Card Offers

public

50,000 miles

$600 estimated value

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

issuer page

Earning Rates

Delta purchases
3xmiles

Purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines

Hotels
2xmiles

Purchases made directly with hotels

All other purchases
1xmiles

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Annual domestic Main Cabin companion certificate adds significant recurring value for regular Delta travelers
  • First checked bag free for up to nine travelers on the same reservation can offset the annual fee quickly
  • TakeOff 15% discount reduces the miles cost of Delta award redemptions on every booking
  • No foreign transaction fees makes the card practical for international trips
  • 50,000-mile welcome bonus offers solid upfront value estimated at around $600

Cons

  • $350 annual fee is not waived in the first year and requires regular Delta travel to justify
  • Earning rates are limited outside of Delta and hotel purchases, with only 1 mile per dollar on everyday spending
  • Companion certificate is restricted to domestic Main Cabin travel on select routes and still requires payment of taxes and fees
  • MQD Boost requires $25,000 in annual card spending, which is a high threshold for most consumers
  • Travel insurance benefits are secondary coverage, meaning other insurance or carrier reimbursement must be exhausted first

Key Takeaways

  • Earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, 2 miles per dollar on hotels, and 1 mile per dollar everywhere else
  • Annual companion certificate and first checked bag free are the two benefits most likely to offset the $350 annual fee
  • TakeOff 15% reduces the miles cost of every Delta award flight booked through delta.com or the Fly Delta app
  • The $2,500 MQD Boost toward Medallion Status requires hitting $25,000 in annual card spending
  • No foreign transaction fees and included travel protections add value for international and domestic travelers alike

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$350
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
20.99% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
29.99%
Penalty APR
29.99%May apply if you pay late

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

8 benefits (1 strong or better)

Travel Insurance

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Elite Status

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

TakeOff 15% Stacks on Every Award Booking

The 15% discount on Delta SkyMiles award redemptions applies every time you book through delta.com or the Fly Delta app, not just once. Over multiple award bookings per year, the accumulated miles savings can be substantial.

Companion Certificate Covers Up to Two Passengers for One Annual Fee

When used strategically, the annual companion certificate effectively cuts the cost of a round-trip Delta ticket in half for one travel companion. Since taxes and fees on domestic Main Cabin tickets can be relatively low, this benefit can deliver outsized value compared to its paper cost.

Global Assist Hotline for Emergency Travel Coordination

The 24/7 Global Assist Hotline provides medical referrals, legal referrals, emergency cash coordination, and translation services when you are more than 100 miles from home. This benefit is often overlooked but can be genuinely useful in an unexpected travel emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?
The card carries a $350 annual fee. There is no annual fee waiver for the first year, so the fee is charged upon account opening.
What is the current welcome offer?
New cardmembers can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. This bonus is estimated to be worth around $600.
How does the annual companion certificate work?
Each year after your card renewal month, you receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate valid on select Delta flights. Taxes and fees still apply, and the certificate must be used within a set validity window on qualifying routes.
Does the card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international travel.
How does the first checked bag free benefit work?
The primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation can each check their first bag for free on Delta-operated flights. Your SkyMiles number must be linked to the reservation, or you must pay with the card, for the benefit to apply.
What is the TakeOff 15% benefit?
TakeOff 15% gives you a 15% discount on the miles price when you redeem SkyMiles for award flights on Delta through delta.com or the Fly Delta app. The discount applies only to Delta-operated flights and does not apply to partner award bookings or the taxes and fees portion of the ticket.
How does the MQD Boost help with Delta Medallion Status?
After spending $25,000 on the card in a calendar year, you receive a $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) boost toward Delta Medallion Status. This boost does not replace all MQD requirements but can help accelerate your progress toward elite status.
What travel insurance protections come with the card?
The card includes Trip Delay Insurance covering reasonable expenses like meals and lodging up to $500 per trip for delays exceeding six hours, and a Baggage Insurance Plan covering up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and up to $500 for checked bags when you pay with the card. Both coverages are secondary to other applicable insurance or carrier reimbursement.
What credit score do I need to qualify for this card?
American Express generally targets applicants with good credit for this card. A good credit score typically means a FICO score in the range of approximately 670 and above, though approval depends on multiple factors.
What is the purchase APR for this card?
The purchase APR ranges from 20.99% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness. The cash advance and penalty APR are both 29.99%.

About This Card

This card is best for frequent Delta flyers who regularly check bags and travel with a companion, and who want to accelerate progress toward Delta Medallion Status. It suits travelers who can realistically use the annual companion certificate and first checked bag benefit to offset the $350 annual fee.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a mid-tier personal travel card issued by American Express in partnership with Delta Air Lines. It earns Delta SkyMiles on everyday purchases with accelerated rates on Delta purchases and at hotels. Cardmembers receive an annual companion certificate, TakeOff 15% discount on Delta award redemptions, first checked bag free on Delta flights, and a Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) boost. The page content failed to load at the time of extraction, so detailed APR, earning rates, and benefit specifics are based on publicly known product details rather than live page data.

The combination of an annual domestic companion certificate and TakeOff 15% on every Delta award redemption gives this card a practical, repeatable value loop that most competing mid-tier airline cards do not replicate.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

50,000 miles, worth about $600 estimated value, with a $350 annual fee.

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

Reward Program

Delta SkyMiles

Earns Miles

Learn more

Card Categories

TravelAirlineDeltaHotelNo Foreign Transaction Fee

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

We collect card details from official issuer pages, then verify them through editorial review.

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Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 0 of 8 benefits rated high confidence
  • 0 of 1 offer verified
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