The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card review: A worthy business card contender
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
also contributed to this story
September 9, 2025 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A mid-tier business travel card is highlighted for frequent flyers seeking airline-specific perks and elite status acceleration.
Key benefits include free checked bags, priority boarding, an annual companion certificate, and multiple statement credits for travel, dining, and ride-hailing.
Cardholders receive discounts on award flights, automatic elite-qualifying dollar credits, and select partner status such as with car rental programs.
The product does not include airport lounge access, which may be a drawback for some travelers.
What to consider
Eligibility for the welcome bonus is limited by a once-per-lifetime rule and current cardholder status.
Statement credits require enrollment and are subject to annual and monthly caps for categories like hotels, restaurants, and ride-hailing.
SkyMiles are valued at 1.2 cents each as of April 2026 per TPG's valuations, with the best redemption value typically found on flights.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing business travel cards and guidance on maximizing airline-specific perks and statement credits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Related stories
Limited-Time Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
TPG Editor's Rating3.5 / 5
at American Express's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
1.5X
Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card overview
The is a worthy card contender for Delta Air Lines frequent flyers. While its highest bonus category is only for Delta and hotel purchases, this card offers a suite of perks that make it worth its annual fee. These benefits include free checked bags, priority boarding, an annual companion certificate and several statement credits. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The is the mid-tier Delta Business card. It can help you earn elite status alongside perks that offer a better passenger experience for a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees).
We recommend applicants have a good to excellent credit score to increase their chances of approval.
But is it the right card for you? Let’s take an in-depth look to find out.
Delta Platinum Business Amex pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Priority boarding
First checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide and a second checked bag free on domestic U.S. flights
Statement credits for dining and travel
Fast-track to Medallion status with spending
High annual fee
No lounge access
Delta Platinum Business Amex welcome offer
The allows new cardmembers to earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
TPG’s April 2026 valuations peg SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, making this welcome offer worth $1,200.
THE POINTS GUY
American Express limits who can apply for the card, and you’re generally ineligible for the welcome bonus if you’ve previously held the card due to their once-per-lifetime restriction or if you currently have it. American Express will let you know if you’re ineligible for the welcome offer before doing a hard pull on your credit, so pay attention to any messages that pop up while applying.
Even without free lounge access, the has many features that make it a worthwhile consideration for regular Delta business flyers:
Award flight discount: Get 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights (when paying taxes and fees with this card).
Companion certificate: Use this companion certificate to bring a companion on your next Delta round-trip flight. It is good for a main cabin round-trip flight every year you renew the card, and it's valid for travel to all 50 U.S. states, Central America, the Caribbean and Mexico.
Complimentary upgrades: Complimentary seat upgrades on eligible flights after Medallion members for cardmembers who are not Medallion members.
Free checked bags: When flying Delta, you and up to eight other travelers on the same reservation will get your first checked bag free on flights worldwide and the second checked bag free on domestic U.S. flights.
At a regular price of $35 a bag in each direction, even if you’re traveling alone, that saves you a minimum of $70 on every round-trip flight where you would’ve checked a bag.
Medallion Qualification Dollar headstart: Get 2,500 MQDs automatically deposited each calendar year.
MQD boost: Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Other benefits include:
Delta Stays credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit per calendar year with Delta Stays, Delta’s hotel portal.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: You get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee statement credit every four years ($120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck).
Hertz Five Star status: Complimentary Hertz Five Star status, a mid-tier elite status. (Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.)
Inflight discount: When using the card, you will receive a 20% statement credit on purchases, including pre-purchased meals and inflight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages and audio headsets.
Priority boarding: You and up to eight other travelers on the same reservation can enjoy Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
Resy credit: Up to $120 annual statement credit per calendar year (up to $10 monthly) at U.S. Resy restaurants.
Ride-hailing credit: Up to $120 ride-hailing statement credit per calendar year with select U.S. providers (up to $10 monthly).
3 miles per dollar spent directly with hotels worldwide and on eligible Delta purchases, including flights, Delta Vacation packages, seat upgrades and selection, Delta Sky Club membership or passes, pre-purchased and inflight meals, inflight alcoholic beverages and audio headsets
1.5 miles per dollar spent on purchases on transit, eligible U.S. shipping and eligible purchases over $5,000 (up to $100,000 spent per year, 1 mile per dollar thereafter)
1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
BEN MUTZABAUGH/THE POINTS GUY
This earnings structure can be nice if your business frequently makes large purchases, but it does not provide the best return on these purchases, as it equals an approximate 3.6%, 1.8% and 1.2% return on spend, respectively, according to TPG’s April 2026 valuations.
Redeeming miles on the Delta Platinum Business Amex
Your best option is almost always to redeem SkyMiles for air travel. Not only can you use your miles on Delta, but they’re also good on Delta’s other SkyTeam airline partners, along with nonalliance carriers like WestJet.
It does take extra work to find bargain redemptions on Delta since it doesn’t publish award charts (and regularly adjusts prices on many routes), but they’re out there. Check Delta’s SkyMiles Deals page for valuable discounts on round-trip tickets in economy class and Delta One between specific city pairs.
Redemptions for seat upgrades are also an option, but there’s no award chart, so you won’t know how many miles it will cost until you book your ticket. (It’s typically not a good value.)
You can also use your miles for upgrades on flights operated by partners Aeromexico, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic, but know that you’re not getting the best value for them.
Choose this option only if you really need an upgrade for a longer flight — such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) via Europe on Air France or KLM — and you want to save your cash.
You can also transfer, gift, or donate your miles to charity. But again, redeeming your miles on Delta and partner flights will typically offer you the best value.
TPG senior editorial director Nick Ewen redeems his Delta SkyMiles for domestic trips, taking advantage of flash sales to help score phenomenal deals.
Which cards compete with the Delta Platinum Business Amex?
Some other cards may be a better fit if you’re looking for a low annual fee or airport lounge access.
If you want Delta perks with a lower annual fee: The is a good choice for getting Delta perks but with a lower annual fee of $150 ($0 introductory annual fee the first year, see rates and fees). You’ll earn bonus miles on Delta, U.S. shipping and U.S. advertising purchases. And you’ll still get Delta perks like a $200 flight credit after spending $10,000 on your card in a calendar year and a first checked bag free on flights worldwide, and the second checked bag free on domestic U.S. flights. To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex.
If you want Delta Sky Club access: The has a higher annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees) but comes with lounge access (with restrictions). You’ll also get perks like an annual companion certificate, a free first checked bag worldwide, a second checked bag free on domestic U.S. flights, and a $120 Global Entry statement credit or up to $85 TSA PreCheck statement credit every four years. To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex.
If you want a card with more flexible rewards: offers excellent travel benefits and earns rewards that you can transfer to Delta as well as any of American Express’s other travel partners. It offers comprehensive lounge access to eligible cardmembers — including to Sky Clubs — but comes with a higher annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees). To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
This card is best for small-business owners and frequent Delta flyers who can maximize its airline-specific perks. The annual companion certificate alone can offset the $350 annual fee if used strategically, and perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and an automatic elite-status headstart add meaningful value.
That said, if you don’t fly Delta several times a year, the fee may be hard to justify. The lack of Sky Club access is also a significant drawback compared to premium alternatives, especially for travelers who value lounge access.
Bottom line
The is a solid mid-tier option for Delta loyalists who want to fast-track elite status and take advantage of the annual companion certificate. If you check bags regularly, fly Delta multiple times a year and can make use of the included statement credits, the $350 annual fee can pay for itself.
However, if you rarely fly Delta — or if lounge access is essential to your travel experience — this card may not be the best fit.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
