Is the Delta Platinum Amex worth the annual fee?
Editor's Note
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a mid-tier card with a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees).
When annual fees reach the $300-plus mark, you start to question whether the benefits and perks make the fee worthwhile.
So, let's dive in and see if the Delta Platinum Amex is worth its annual fee.
Welcome offer
With the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, you can find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 90,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
TPG's April 2026 valuations value Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents per point, which makes this offer worth up to $1,080.
You might not be eligible for this welcome offer if you have or have had other SkyMiles Amex cards. If you want to upgrade or downgrade, you should check your Amex account and see if there are any offers.
Related: Best time to apply for Delta American Express cards based on offer history
Earning rates
The Delta Platinum Amex is limited to only earning Delta SkyMiles.
This card earns:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on all Delta purchases and hotels worldwide booked directly
- 2 miles per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
Based on TPG's April 2026 valuations, these rates equate to a 3.6%, 2.4% and 1.2% return on spending, respectively.
Other cards have a higher return on spending on everyday purchases, but if you are a Delta loyalist, the airline-specific benefits and other perks make this a solid option.
Related: Best airline credit cards
Complimentary upgrades
Cardmembers who don't have Delta SkyMiles Medallion status are eligible to receive complimentary upgrades to Delta One (on domestic flights), first class and Delta Comfort after Medallion members.
It is important to note that upgrades are unlikely for just being a cardmember, as all Medallion elite and upgrade certificates will take higher precedence in the upgrade queue.
That said, even receiving just one upgrade in a calendar year can help offset the Delta Platinum Amex's annual fee.
Related: Secure a better seat: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta flights
Appealing credits
Ride-hailing statement credits
Users of ride-hailing services will value the fact that the Delta Platinum Amex offers a monthly up-to-$10 statement credit (up to $120 per calendar year) after they use their card to pay for an eligible ride-hailing service. This credit is valid on select ride-hailing services in the U.S.
(Enrollment is required; terms apply.)
Related: Uber unveils new family, group features to simplify the travel experience
Resy statement credits
Foodies can rejoice, as the Delta Platinum Amex has Resy credits. Cardmembers receive up to $10 monthly in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $120 per calendar year).
Any restaurant on Resy is eligible for the credit if you pay using your Delta Platinum Amex. (Enrollment is required; terms apply.)
Amex states: "Eligible Resy purchases include purchases made directly from U.S. restaurants that offer reservations on Resy.com and the Resy app and accept American Express Cards, purchases made directly on Resy.com or in the Resy app, and purchases made via Resy Pay. Restaurants must be live on Resy.com or the Resy app at time of purchase to be eligible for the statement credit and are subject to change at any time. Purchases of Resy OS restaurant management software and Resy-branded American Express® Gift Cards are not eligible."
This credit is valuable to me as I often eat out at restaurants, and many restaurants are listed on Resy, so I treat this as $10 off the cost of my meal.
Delta Stays statement credit
Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers receive an annual up-to-$150 credit on Delta Stays per calendar year. To receive the credit, you must book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through the Delta Stays website.
This can add great value as, in some cities, you can easily find hotels or vacation rentals for under $150 a night, essentially netting you a free night that helps offset the cost of the annual fee.
Related: 16 ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles
Hertz status
Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status. This mid-tier status offers a one-car-class upgrade (if available) and up to an extra 25% points earned on each rental.
(Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is required; terms apply.)
This benefit is useful if you book a smaller car but want a bigger one. Hertz is my go-to car rental company, and I have had Five Star status for years. I get an upgrade almost every time I rent; in most cases, the upgrade is more than one class.
Related: Save money on your next trip! Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car
Status boost
The Delta Platinum Amex comes with a much-needed way to jump-start qualification toward Medallion status. For every $20 you spend, you will earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar.
Additionally, cardmembers receive a head start of 2,500 MQDs deposited into their SkyMiles account every Medallion qualification year.
Earning MQDs through credit card spending means you can fly less and still earn valuable Medallion status.
Companion certificate
Cardmembers of the Delta Platinum Amex get an annual companion certificate each card year anniversary. This companion certificate allows you to buy two round-trip tickets (with up to four segments) for the price of one — plus taxes and fees between $22 and $250.
This companion certificate is valid on round-trip Main Cabin tickets on flights within the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) and to and from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
Related: How to save money with an annual Delta companion ticket
Other benefits
The Delta Platinum Amex card comes with a variety of other useful benefits, such as:
- 15% off all Delta-operated award flights in any cabin of service (I use this perk frequently when I am looking to book last-minute domestic transcontinental flights)
- Free checked bags (first bag free for the cardmember and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation)
- A $120 credit for Global Entry or up to an $85 credit for TSA PreCheck once every four years
- 20% back on inflight purchases of food and drink (inflight Wi-Fi purchases not included)
- Travel protections
(Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
Related: Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards
Bottom line
The Delta Platinum Amex card is a mid-tier credit card in the SkyMiles Amex family and offers useful monthly credits and decent earning rates to help offset the annual fee.
This card option is good for Delta loyalists looking to achieve or maintain Medallion status. If you utilize all the credits, you can easily come out ahead.
However, if you don't utilize these credits or fly Delta frequently, there are better options with lower annual fees.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Platinum card.
Apple here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, click here.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.