Great Card If
- You are a frequent Delta Air Lines flyer
- You travel both within the U.S. and internationally
- You plan to renew your card every year
Don’t Get If
- You do not travel frequently
- You travel often, but you do not fly on Delta regularly
Delta Platinum Card — Is It Worth It?
If you’re someone who regularly flies with Delta and you’re looking for a card that helps you earn more SkyMiles, provides great benefits, and helps you reach higher levels of elite status, then the Delta Platinum card would be a great option for you.
For starters, the card can help you save money immediately by giving you free checked bags for you and up to 8 traveling companions on all of your Delta flights. When you throw in that the card also offers an annual companion certificate, a 20% rebate on inflight purchases, and the ability to earn additional MQMs through spending, it can be a no-brainer for many Delta flyers.
Delta Platinum Card Top Benefits
Delta Travel Benefits
Here are the top Delta benefits that the Delta Platinum card offers:
- Free Checked Bags: Get your first checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to 8 traveling companions.
- Annual Companion Certificate: Receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card, including payment of taxes and fees of no more than $80.
- Delta Sky Club Discount: Exclusive rate of $50 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club for you and up to 2 guests when traveling on a Delta flight. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.
- 20% Back on Inflight Purchases: Applies to purchases of food, beverage, and audio headsets.
- Delta Status Boost: Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases in a calendar year, up to 2 times.
Card Protections
- Trip Delay Insurance: If your flight is delayed by more than 12 hours, you can receive up to $300 in coverage towards items like food and lodging.
- Rental Car Insurance: Secondary coverage that covers accidental damage or theft of your rental car.
- Baggage Insurance: If a carrier loses your luggage, you’re covered for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.
- Purchase Protection: If an item is lost or damaged within 90 days of purchase, you can receive up to $1,000 in coverage per occurrence, and up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Extended Warranty: Adds 1 year of warranty coverage to warranties of 5 years or less.
How To Earn and Redeem Your Delta SkyMiles
Fortunately, using your Delta Platinum card isn’t the only way to earn Delta SkyMiles. There are many other options including the Delta shopping portal, dining program, and more. Read through our guide on the best ways to earn Delta SkyMiles for inspiration on ways to boost your balance quickly.
Delta operates an extensive route network that can take you just about anywhere you need to go. That said, if you want to get maximum value out of your SkyMiles, you’ll want to read through some of our top ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles.
Alternative Card to the Delta Platinum Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
If you’re a Delta loyalist chasing down high levels of elite status and Delta Sky Club lounge access, then the Delta Reserve card would be a better option for you.
The Delta Reserve card helps you spend your way to Delta status, offers an annual companion certificate that includes first class tickets, and even includes access to Amex Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta.
Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Read more about these 2 cards here: Delta Platinum card vs. Delta Reserve card
We’ve also compared the Delta Platinum card to 2 other popular cards:
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
6 comments
Nina
May 31, 2021
“Making things even better, the Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) requirements are waived when you are a cardholder, so whenever you have enough MQMs you’ll automatically earn the status.”
This is a bit misleading, MQDs are only waived with $25k spend on the card.
Jarrod West
June 01, 2021
Hi Nina,
I’ve edited the post to clarify that aspect up for readers. Thanks for reading!
khatl
July 30, 2021
Do all Delta platinum cards qualify for the 10,000 MQM bonus with $25k spend? Or is it only those that sign up with the current offer? i.e. if I got a card 2 months back, does the $25k spend, 10k MQM bonus apply?
Jarrod West
July 30, 2021
Hi Khatl,
That perk is available on both the Delta Platinum card and the Delta Reserve card, and is available to you each year as a permanent card perk.
JJS
August 29, 2021
I signed up for a Delta Platinum credit card (the one with the $250 annual fee) on July 19, 2021, and I still haven’t received it. I was rushed through signing up, with no mention of the $250, and want to cancel this credit card immediately. I also don’t travel a lot, and seldom use Delta. (I also don’t ever want to need to contact your customer service, with all the wait times.)
Thank you. Please confirm receipt of this message and let me know how I can reach someone to cancel it, with preferably an address to write to. (I realize this is not a private contact but can’t find any other way of accomplishing this.)
Christine Krzyszton
August 30, 2021
Hello JJS. Please understand that we are Upgraded Points, a blog specializing in credit card rewards and travel-related resources. We are not American Express or Delta Air Lines. You might want to consider calling American Express when you receive the card and downgrading it to a no-annual-fee Delta card (the number to call will be on the back of the card). Since American Express has already done a hard inquiry on your credit, you could build credit by having the card but then you would not have to pay an annual fee. Also, you should have received a card by now if you were approved. If you were not approved, you will receive a letter and it will contain a phone number for you to call.
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