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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.
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4 reasons why the Amex Platinum Card may be the ideal card for Delta flyers
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.
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.
also contributed to this story
October 28, 2025 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
A premium travel rewards card offers standout benefits for frequent flyers, especially those loyal to a major U.S. airline.
It delivers high rewards rates for airfare purchases made directly with airlines or through the issuer's travel portal, with flexible points transferable to multiple airline and hotel partners.
Travelers benefit from valuable statement credits for airline fees, expedited security, and lounge access at airports, enhancing the travel experience.
While flexible points provide protection against loyalty program changes, those seeking elite status with the airline may prefer a cobranded card.
What to consider
Flexible points can be transferred instantly to the airline's loyalty program at a 1:1 ratio, but transfers are irreversible.
Lounge access is limited to a set number of annual visits unless a high spending threshold is met; terms differ between premium and cobranded cards.
Statement credits for airline fees and expedited security require enrollment and may have specific eligibility rules.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of flexible points versus airline-specific cards, including which strategy best fits your travel and elite status goals.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Beyond that, the Platinum Card is an excellent premium travel rewards card, especially for frequent Delta flyers. It offers many statement credits and perks that elevate the travel experience.
Delta and Amex have a close partnership, so frequent flyers have some compelling reasons to consider adding this card to their wallets. Here's what you should know as a Delta flyer when considering applying for the Platinum Card.
Maximize your airfare purchases
The Platinum Card is at the top of the mountain when it comes to earning rewards when booking flights, with only a few other cards offering comparable earning rates.
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It earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchases made directly with the airline or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 spent on these purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter). Based on TPG's October 2025 valuations, American Express Membership Rewards are worth 2 cents apiece, making this a 10% return.
Delta SkyMiles is a 1:1 transfer partner of Amex. So, if you transfer your points to Delta, earning 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent is effectively like earning 5 SkyMiles per dollar spent on airfare.
This is better than what you can earn on Delta flight purchases with a cobranded Delta credit card, as the maximum you can earn is just 3 miles per dollar spent.
The Platinum Card shines by offering travelers flexibility. You don't have to focus exclusively on the Delta SkyMiles program like you would if you were only earning SkyMiles with one of the airline’s cobranded credit cards.
The Platinum Card offers the best of both worlds as you can still use your Amex points for Delta flights, but you have many other options to choose from.
ETHAN STEINBERG/THE POINTS GUY
Delta may be your preferred airline, but having a stash of transferable points is beneficial for the following reasons:
It gives you more options to book airlines and hotels that you normally might not consider
You can sometimes book tickets on your preferred airline through a partner at a lower rate than booking directly with that airline. Additionally, partners sometimes offer transfer bonuses, which can make these award tickets even cheaper.
It minimizes the risk of airline bankruptcies and program suspensions.
Transferable points, such as Membership Rewards points, can even serve as a financial safety net for unplanned expenses and emergencies, as you could redeem your points for cash back, although at a poor redemption rate.
As long as you have Membership Rewards points, you have SkyMiles whenever you need them. But if a different opportunity arises, you’re ready for that, too.
As mentioned above, you can instantly transfer the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn with the Platinum Card (and other eligible cards) to Delta at a 1:1 ratio. This is a great way to top off your Delta SkyMiles balance if you need extra miles for a particular redemption.
American Express is also Delta’s exclusive partner for its lineup of cobranded credit cards, so you'll likely enjoy this benefit for years to come.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
However, one of the main reasons to accumulate points with Amex rather than miles exclusively with Delta is that you can leverage the power of airline partnerships beyond Delta’s SkyMiles program.
With the Platinum Card, you can transfer your points to 16 other airline partners. However, with a Delta cobranded card, you'd be limited to redeeming miles for flights operated only by Delta and its partners.
As an example, you can transfer Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. This is especially useful because you can often book Delta One business-class seats through Virgin Atlantic for far fewer points than Delta charges.
As with any transferable currency, you should only transfer when you're confident that there's available award inventory and you are ready to book your ticket. Transfers only go one way: Once you transfer Amex points out, you can’t convert them back into Membership Rewards points.
Aside from the excellent earning rates on flights, the Platinum Card has several day-of-travel perks that can save you time and money and elevate your travel experience.
Many Delta loyalists will opt for the airline’s top-tier personal card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, to access Sky Clubs when flying Delta. Cardmembers are limited to 15 visits per year, unless you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year.
By contrast, with the Platinum Card, eligible cardmembers get 10 visits per year (five fewer), unless you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year to unlock unlimited access.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
With both cards, eligible cardmembers can also access Centurion Lounges. The key difference is that you can only access them with the Delta Reserve card if you're flying on Delta and purchased your ticket with a U.S. Amex-issued card. Meanwhile, with the Platinum Card, you can enter the Centurion Lounge regardless of which airline you're flying with.
If you’re flying Delta (or another U.S.-based airline) and don’t want to get one of the airline’s cobranded cards with free checked bags, you can offset the cost through your Platinum card.
Lastly, the Platinum offers an up to $219 Clear+ statement credit each calendar year (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required). Clear+ is an expedited biometric security program that lets you skip to the front of the TSA line.
When paired with the $120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or an up to $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years that the Platinum card offers, you'll breeze through security in no time.
While the Platinum Card is a solid all-around choice for Delta flyers, select Delta cobranded cards have a distinct edge.
If you want to earn Delta Medallion elite status, holding a Delta cobranded credit card can get you there faster. You can earn Medallion Qualification Dollars by spending on one of the following cards:
You’ll also receive an annual MQD Headstart that automatically deposits 2,500 MQDs on all these cards each year. If you spend enough annually on a cobranded card, you could earn status without even stepping on a Delta jet. Additionally, if you hold a combination of any two of the cards above, you'll receive 5,000 MQDs, which will automatically grant you Silver Medallion status.
The Platinum Card can't help you earn elite status without flying, so if status is a top priority, you'll be better suited with a Delta cobranded option.
Bottom line
The Platinum Card has a steep $895 annual fee (see ), but the cost can be easily justified if you take advantage of even just half of the perks available.
The Platinum Card earns our top spot as the best premium card for Delta flyers, thanks to benefits including Sky Club access when flying Delta, earning flexible points that can be transferred to Delta and a useful up to $200 per calendar year airline fee incidental statement credit.
However, if you specifically want to earn MQDs toward elite status through spending and a welcome offer, you’ll still want to consider one of Delta's cobranded cards.
