4 reasons why the Amex Platinum may be the ideal card for Delta flyers

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the top cards for frequent flyers, thanks to the 5x bonus category for airfare purchased directly from the carrier or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). Based on TPG’s valuations, 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar equals a return of 10%. That exceeds the return you'd get from nearly any other rewards card on airfare spending.

Beyond just earning, though, there are various other reasons why the Amex Platinum Card is a great option for all sorts of air travelers, but it’s an especially good option for Delta flyers. Thanks to Delta’s close partnership with Amex, semiregular travelers on the carrier have more reasons than most to consider adding this card to their wallets.

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Get an excellent 10% return on airfare purchases

As mentioned above, the Amex Platinum can’t be beaten by most other cards when it comes to the return you’ll get on airfare spending. The card earns 5 points per dollar on airfare purchases made directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 spent on these purchases per calendar year. TPG values American Express Membership Rewards at 2 cents apiece, so that's like getting 10% back on your spending.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on flights when you purchase travel through Chase's travel portal, after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. That's equivalent to a 10% return based on our valuations, but again, it's limited to purchases made through Chase. Otherwise, the card earns a mere 3 points per dollar (a 6% return) on airfare purchased directly from airlines. There is, however, no cap on the dollar amount you'll earn these bonuses on each year, unlike with the Amex Platinum.

In the case of Delta, specifically, remember that Amex points transfer to Delta SkyMiles instantly on a 1:1 basis, so earning 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar is like earning 5 Delta SkyMiles per dollar on airfare spending, which beats what you can earn on Delta purchases even with a cobranded Delta credit card. By contrast, Chase Ultimate Rewards points do not transfer to Delta.

Related: Why this TPG staffer is chasing Delta elite status during the pandemic

Earn flexible transferable points

Speaking of transfers, the Amex Platinum earns Membership Rewards points that can be converted into miles or points with several different airline frequent flyer and hotel points partner programs. We’ve always favored transferable points over airline miles, but that is even more of a necessity during this time of continued uncertainty.

For one, Delta has devalued its SkyMiles program repeatedly, raising partner award rates dramatically in recent years. So while you could transfer your Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to Delta SkyMiles, you don’t necessarily have to focus on the program, like you would if you were simply earning Delta SkyMiles with one of the airline's cobranded credit cards. Basically, it's like the best of both worlds where you can still use your Amex points toward Delta awards, but you have many options beyond that.

While Delta might be your preferred airline, having transferable points helps you for many reasons, including:

• It gives you numerous options to book airlines and hotels you normally might not have on your radar.
• It protects you from loyalty program devaluations.
• It minimizes the risk against bankruptcies and program suspensions.

Transferable points such as Membership Rewards points could even be a financial safety net for unplanned expenses, emergencies and more. As long as you have Membership Rewards, you have Delta miles whenever you need them. But if a different opportunity arises, you’re ready for that, too.

Related: Travel is back. Now, points and miles devaluations are (likely) coming

Options to transfer points to Delta plus partners

As mentioned, you can instantly transfer the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn with the Amex Platinum (and other eligible cards) to Delta at a 1:1 ratio, which 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. That partnership was extended through 2029, so it’s a good bet you’ll be able to leverage this benefit for years to come.

However, one of the main reasons to accumulate points with Amex rather than just directly with Delta is that you can leverage the power of airline partnerships beyond Delta's SkyMiles program. For instance, you can transfer Membership Rewards points not only to Delta but also to Virgin Atlantic. With Virgin Atlantic, you’ll have another opportunity to book awards on Delta-operated flights using Flying Club miles, often at better rates than Delta charges for its own awards.

As with any transferable currency, you should only transfer when you are confident that there is available award inventory. Transfers only go one way — you can’t convert Delta miles back into Amex Membership Rewards points if you change your mind.

Related: Best sweet spots with Delta SkyMiles

Access Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges and a $200 airline fee credit

Aside from earning, the Amex Platinum has several day-of-travel perks that can save you time and money.

Carrying the card can get you Delta Sky Club access when you’re flying Delta. It can also grant you Amex Centurion Lounge access regardless of your carrier. Currently, the Amex Platinum allows you to bring up to two guests on Centurion Lounge visits. That policy changes on Feb. 1, 2023 — you’ll then be charged $50 per guest ($30 for children) unless you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year.

Delta's top-tier card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, can also give you Sky Club access. However, you are limited to instances when you are traveling on a Delta-marketed or -operated flight. You can also get into Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta the same day on a ticket that was purchased with a U.S. Amex-issued card. Plus, guest access to Centurion lounges with the Delta Reserve will cost you $50 each, for up to two guests.

The Amex Delta Reserve comes with a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Both the Amex Platinum and the Delta Reserve offer lounge benefits for authorized users:

• The Amex Platinum charges $175 for up to three cards (then $175 each; see rates and fees).
• The Delta Reserve charges $175 for each card (see rates and fees).

In other words, the Amex Platinum gives you much more value when adding authorized users. If you find your travel party ducking into Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges with regularity, the Amex Platinum blows the Delta Reserve away.

Finally, there is an up-to-$200 airline fee statement credit per calendar year on the Amex Platinum, which can cover checked bag fees on the airline you select each calendar year. If you’re flying Delta (or another U.S.-based airline) and don’t want to shell out for the airline’s cobranded card that has a checked bag fee perk, you can offset the cost through your Platinum Card. Enrollment is required.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access in 2021

A reason to still consider Delta cobranded cards

While the Amex Platinum is an excellent all-around choice for Delta flyers, there’s one area where four Delta cobranded cards have the advantage over it. If you’re working toward Delta Medallion elite status, you can accrue Medallion® Qualification Miles by spending on one of the following cards:

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 in a calendar year and another 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000 in a calendar year.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 in a calendar year and another 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000 in a calendar year.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: 15,000 MQMs for every $30,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year (up to four times for a maximum of 60,000 MQMs).
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: 15,000 MQMs for every $30,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year (up to four times for a maximum of 60,000 MQMs).

Related: Best Delta credit cards of 2021

Bottom line

The Amex Platinum currently has a welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership.

However, you may be able to do even better by checking the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an incredible 125,000-point offer (these offers are subject to change at any time).

The card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), but the cost can be easily justified if you take advantage of the many perks available.

The Platinum Card earns our top spot as the best card for Delta flyers thanks to benefits including Sky Club access when flying Delta, earning points that can be transferred to SkyMiles and more. But if you specifically want to earn MQMs toward elite status through spending and a welcome offer, you’ll still want to consider the other Delta cobranded options.

Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, please click here.

Additional reporting by Stella Shon and Joseph Hostetler.