The Delta Skymiles® Platinum American Express card is a mid-tier card with an annual fee of $350 (see rates and fees).
When the annual fee reaches over $300, you start questioning whether the benefits and allowances are worth it.
So let’s dive and see if Delta Platinum Amex is worth the annual fee.
Welcome offer
Delta Skymiles Platinum offers the opportunity for new Cardmems to earn 90,000 miles of overhead bonus miles after spending $4,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends on July 16.
TPG’s June 2025 valuation value is 1.25 cents per point, which makes this offer worth $1,125.
If you have or own another Skymiles Amex card, you may not be eligible for this welcome offer. If you are upgrading or downgrading, you should check your AMEX account to see if there are any offers.
American Express may consider other factors when determining your welcome. Make sure to pay attention to any messages that pop up during the application process.
Related: The best time to apply for a Delta American Express Card based on Quotation History
Income rate
Delta Platinum Amex is limited to earn Skymiles in Delta.
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This card earns:
- All Delta purchases and hotels in the world are available for every 3 miles direct reservation
- Spend 2 miles per dollar when dining at restaurants around the world (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and restaurants in supermarkets in the U.S.
- Spend 1 mile per dollar
According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, these rates correspond to 3.8%, 2.5% and 1.3% of the expenses, respectively.
Other cards pay higher returns on spending on daily purchases, but airline-specific benefits and other privileges make this a reliable option if you are a Delta Loyalist.
Related: Best Airline Credit Cards
Free upgrade
Card members without Delta Skymiles medal status are eligible to receive free upgrades to Delta One (on domestic flights), first class and Delta Comfort+ medal members.
It is important to note that upgrading is unlikely to be just a card person, as all medal elites and upgrade certificates will receive higher priority in the upgrade queue.
That said, even accepting only one upgrade in a calendar year can help offset the annual fee for Delta Platinum Amex.
Related: Ensuring Better Seats: The Final Guide to Upgrading Delta Flights
Attractive credits
Car Declaration Credits
Users of ride service will value the fact that Delta Platinum Amex offers a monthly declared credit of up to $10 per month (up to $120 per calendar year) after using a card to pay for a qualified ride service. This credit is valid for select rides in the United States
(Registration is required; Terms and Conditions apply.)
Related: Uber unveils new home, group features to simplify travel experience
RESY statement credits
Foodies can be delighted that Delta Platinum Amex has a rewarding credit. Card members receive up to $10 per month of declaration credits for up to $10 on qualified purchases at Resy Restaurants in the United States (up to $120 per calendar year).
If you pay with Delta Platinum Amex, any restaurant on Resy is eligible for credit. (Registration is required; Terms and Conditions apply.)
“Eligible repurchases include purchases purchased directly from U.S. restaurants, which offer reservations on Resy.com and Resy.com and accept cards from U.S. Express, purchases directly on Rosy.com or Resy App, and purchases via Resy Pay, and must be purchased on Resy.com. Express® Gift Cards are not eligible.”
Since I often eat in restaurants, this credit is valuable to me and many restaurants are listed on Resy, I consider it as $10 for meals.
Delta reserves statement credit
Delta Platinum Amex Cardmembers has a maximum annual Delta accommodation of $150 per calendar year. To obtain credit, you must book a prepaid hotel or vacation rental through the Delta Stise website.
This can add value, as in some cities you can easily find a hotel or vacation rental for $150 per night, giving you a free night that helps offset the annual fee.
Related: 16 Ways to Earn More Delta Skymiles
Hertz’s identity
Delta Platinum Amex Cardmembers gets free Hertz five-star status. This mid-level state provides a 1-level upgrade (if any) with an additional 25% points per rent.
(Requires participation in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program; terms and conditions apply.)
This advantage will be useful if you book a smaller car but want a bigger car. Hertz is my preferred car rental company and I have had a five-star status for many years. I almost upgrade every time I rent it out; in most cases, there is more than one class upgrade.
Related: Save money on your next trip! Use these tips Never pay full price for renting a car
Status improvement
Delta Platinum Amex has a much-needed way to promote startup qualifications to medal status. For the $20 you spend, you will receive 1 medal eligible USD.
Additionally, Cardembers receives a 2500 MQD start in each medal eligibility year, which is stored in their Skymiles account.
Earning MQD with credit card spend means you can fly less and you can still earn valuable medal status.
Companion Certificate
Cardembers of Delta Platinum Amex receives the annual companion certificate for each year. This companion certificate allows you to buy two roundtrip tickets (up to four parts) at one price – plus taxes and fees between $22 and $250.
This companion certificate is valid on round-trip main tickets in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) as well as Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Related: How to Save Money with Annual Delta Companion Tickets
Other benefits
Delta Platinum Amex Card has a variety of other useful benefits, such as:
- In any service cabin, all reward flights operated by Delta enjoy 15% (I often use this allowance when I want to book last-minute domestic intercontinental flights)
- Free check bag (the first bag of cardmember, up to eight people traveling on the same booking)
- Get global admission fee of $120 every four years, or $85 credit for TSA Precheck every 4.5 years
- 20% transfer purchase of food and beverages (not included in Wi-Fi purchases)
- Travel protection
(Enrollment is required to choose benefits; terms and conditions apply.)
Related: Your Complete Guide to Travel Protection for U.S. Express Cards
Bottom line
The Delta Platinum Amex card is an interim credit card in the Skymiles Amex family that provides useful monthly points and a decent income rate to help offset annual fees.
This card option is suitable for Delta Loyalists who want to earn or maintain their medal status. If you take advantage of all your credits, you can move forward easily.
However, if you don’t use these credits or fly the delta frequently, there are better options, with lower annual fees.
To learn more, read our full review of Delta Platinum Card.
Apple is here: Delta Skymiles Platinum
For the rates and fees of Delta Skymiles Platinum, click here.
