If you’re a frequent traveler who flies with Delta Airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is an excellent option for earning rewards while enjoying a range of travel perks. This card is part of the SkyMiles American Express family and offers a variety of benefits, from earning miles on everyday purchases to gaining exclusive access to Delta Sky Clubs, making it one of the best co-branded travel cards for Delta enthusiasts.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the features of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, including its earning potential, benefits, and how you can maximize its value. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to rewards cards, this article will provide you with the information you need to decide if this card is right for you.
What is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is a premium co-branded credit card issued by American Express in partnership with Delta Airlines. It is designed for travelers who want to earn SkyMiles—Delta’s frequent flyer points—on everyday purchases and maximize their rewards while flying with Delta. This card offers a generous earning structure, a host of travel benefits, and a suite of protections for cardholders.
As part of the Delta SkyMiles American Express family, the Platinum card unlocks access to a variety of valuable perks, including complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, and access to Delta Sky Clubs. With an annual fee of $250, the card is best suited for frequent Delta travelers who can take full advantage of these benefits and maximize their miles accumulation.
Key Elements of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
Let’s take a closer look at the key features that make the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card a standout choice for Delta flyers. From earning miles on Delta purchases to travel perks, this card offers a wealth of benefits for those who travel frequently.
1. Earning SkyMiles
The most attractive feature of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is its ability to earn miles on everyday purchases. The card offers an accelerated earning rate for purchases in certain categories, which can help you accumulate miles faster.
1 Miles per Dollar on Delta Purchases: The card earns three miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases, including airfare, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and in-flight purchases. This is a great way to earn additional miles when flying with Delta.
2 Miles per Dollar on Restaurants and U.S. Supermarkets: Whether dining out or shopping for groceries, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card rewards you with two miles per dollar spent on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
3 Mile per Dollar on All Other Purchases: For all other purchases, the card earns one mile for every dollar spent. While this is a lower earning rate, it still allows you to accumulate miles on your everyday spending.
2. Welcome Bonus
One of the best ways to quickly accumulate miles with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is through its welcome bonus. New cardholders can earn a large number of bonus miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first three months. This bonus can provide a significant boost to your SkyMiles balance, helping you reach your travel goals faster.
The welcome bonus varies from time to time, but it’s often in the range of 40,000 to 75,000 miles, making it a great way to get started with the card.
3. First Checked Bag Free
Traveling with Delta just became easier with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, as it offers a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. This can save you a significant amount of money, as checked baggage fees on Delta flights can add up quickly. For a family or group of travelers, this benefit alone can make the card well worth the annual fee.
4. Priority Boarding
Another benefit that comes with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is priority boarding. This allows you to board the plane earlier than general passengers, giving you access to better overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage. Priority boarding also makes the overall boarding process faster and more convenient, which is especially helpful when traveling on busy flights.
5. Delta Sky Club Access
For cardholders who travel frequently, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers discounted access to Delta’s Sky Club lounges. These lounges are an excellent way to relax before your flight, with amenities such as comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, snacks, beverages, and more.
While you won’t get complimentary access to the Sky Clubs (which is available with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card), you can access the clubs for a discounted rate. This makes the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card a great option for those who enjoy the luxury of airport lounges but want to avoid the high annual fees of higher-tier cards.
6. Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)
A major perk of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) through spending. MQMs are essential for earning Medallion Status with Delta, which unlocks additional benefits like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and access to exclusive check-in counters.
- 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000: If you spend $25,000 or more on your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card in a calendar year, you will earn 10,000 MQMs. This can help you achieve or maintain Medallion Status more quickly.
- Additional MQMs for larger spending: If you meet a higher spending threshold, you can earn even more MQMs, which can help you attain elite status faster and enjoy additional perks with Delta.
7. No Foreign Transaction Fees
If you travel internationally, one of the best benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is that it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. This makes it an excellent choice for travelers who often make purchases while abroad, as you can use the card without worrying about additional charges.
8. Annual Fee
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card has an annual fee of $250, which is relatively reasonable considering the extensive list of benefits it provides. While this fee is higher than entry-level cards in the Delta SkyMiles lineup, the benefits—such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to Delta Sky Clubs—make it a worthwhile investment for frequent Delta flyers.
Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
In addition to earning miles, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers several other valuable benefits that can enhance your travel experience.
1. Travel and Purchase Protection
With the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, you’ll receive built-in travel and purchase protections, which can provide peace of mind when you’re on the road.
- Trip Delay Insurance: If your trip is delayed by more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, you can receive compensation for expenses such as meals, lodging, and transportation.
- Baggage Insurance: If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers coverage to help replace your belongings.
- Purchase Protection: Eligible purchases made with the card are protected against theft or damage for up to 90 days, ensuring that your purchases are covered in case something goes wrong.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: This benefit covers you in case of damage or theft of a rental car, saving you from purchasing additional insurance when renting a vehicle.
2. Global Assist Hotline
For those traveling more than 100 miles from home, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card provides access to the Global Assist Hotline. This service offers emergency assistance, including help with lost passports, medical referrals, legal issues, and emergency transportation. This 24/7 service can be invaluable if you encounter problems while traveling abroad.
3. Exclusive Events and Offers
American Express provides Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card holders with access to exclusive events, such as presale tickets for concerts, sports events, and theater performances. Additionally, you may receive exclusive offers on travel-related products, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and flights.
How to Maximize the Value of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
To make the most out of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, here are a few strategies to consider:
1. Focus on High-Earning Categories
To earn the most miles, make sure to use the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card for purchases in the bonus categories, such as Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. By focusing on these areas, you can quickly accumulate miles and redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other travel rewards.
2. Take Advantage of the Welcome Bonus
Remember to meet the spending necessity to acquire the welcome reward. With a substantial number of bonus miles up for grabs, this is a great way to jump-start your SkyMiles balance.
3. Use Your Miles for Award Flights
One of the best ways to redeem your miles is for award flights. Delta offers a wide range of options for flight redemptions, including domestic and international destinations. Be sure to plan ahead and book early to get the best availability and value for your miles.
4. Take Advantage of Travel Perks
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card comes with a range of travel benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to Delta Sky Clubs. Make sure to take full advantage of these perks to enhance your travel experience and make your trips more enjoyable.
5. Earn MQMs for Medallion Status
If you’re aiming for Medallion Status, use your card for larger purchases to quickly earn MQMs. The ability to earn 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 can help you achieve elite status faster, which unlocks valuable benefits like complimentary upgrades and exclusive access to check-in counters.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Right for You?
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers a great many advantages for successive Delta flyers, including the capacity to procure miles on different buys, travel advantages like free processed sacks and need loading up, and admittance to Delta Sky Clubs at a limited rate.
With a reasonable annual fee of $250, this card is an excellent choice for travelers who want to maximize their rewards while enjoying a host of valuable travel benefits.
If you fly with Delta regularly and want to earn more miles, access premium travel benefits, and make the most out of your trips, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card could be the perfect option for you.
