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Would You Choose Delta or American Platinum Status for Business Travel?

Sept. 15, 2013
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4 min read
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Would You Choose Delta or American Platinum Status for Business Travel?
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TPG follower Travel Chaz tweeted:

"@thepointsguy if you were not concerned about redeeming the miles, would you choose Delta or American Platinum status for business travel?"

First off, let's start with the basics since the two statuses are not really equivalent. American Platinum only requires 50,000 miles and Delta Platinum requires 75,000 - but that being said, Delta actually makes it a lot easier to get elite status because they have so many credit cards that offer Medallion Qualifying Miles such as the Delta Platinum SkyMiles Amex, which gives you 5,000 MQM's with your first purchase and up to 20,000 more when you spend over $50,000 in a calendar year; and the Delta Reserve, which gives you 10,000 MQM's with first purchase and up to 30,000 more when you spend over $60,000 in a calendar year).

Delta also lets you rollover any miles above and beyond your qualification threshold into your elite status earning for the following year.

Delta
Delta Platinum status requires 75,000 miles.

I also think Delta Platinum is actually more valuable, depending on where you live and if you are not in the hub for either airline, you are going to get upgraded more on Delta since the airline offers unlimited complimentary upgrades (based on availability and status priority, of course) on flights within and from the US (excluding Hawaii) to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central America and South America (though not flights with BusinessElite).

American Platinum is not going to give you complimentary unlimited upgrades - you need to select that option when you want the upgrade when making a reservation, and then you have to redeem the 500-mile upgrade vouchers that you earn for every 10,000 miles you fly. AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members earn four 500-mile electronic upgrades for every 10,000 qualifying base miles flown (including guaranteed minimum miles) during their membership year (March 1 or the date you qualify for elite status, through the last day of February).

The American Airlines elite benefits chart.

Delta Platinum also gives you the choice to give someone a $200 voucher, or Silver Medallion status, which is quite valuable, so overall I would go with Delta Platinum on this one. However, American did just enhance its Elite Rewards options, which you earn when you go above and beyond your status threshold qualification, and if you were to hit the same 75,000 miles you would need for Delta Medallion status, you'd get your choice of 20,000 bonus miles OR 1 Systemwide Upgrade OR five 500-mile upgrades OR 4 Admirals Club Day Passes OR 5 single segment WiFi passes - so I still think the Delta options are better.

The Delta benefits for Delta Medallions.

The Flight Experience

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For the moment, Delta also wins when it comes to flying domestically since 100% of their planes have WiFi while American's fleet is still lagging in the WiFi department, and its new fleet of planes has only just started coming online with the introduction of the first of its A319's.

I am American Airlines Executive Platinum and Delta Platinum, and think that in general, flying on Delta Airlines is a nicer experience if you are not worried about redeeming miles, although I have redeemed a bunch of Delta miles this year from flying to Iceland, Milan and South Africa, so it is not impossible to redeem them for some awesome itineraries, but in my opinion, American miles are more valuable since the airline seems to release both more of its own low-level award availability, have access to better award availability on amazing partners like British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, and, as I mentioned, is about to start getting some new planes to fly domestically and transcontinentally.

I know that was a roundabout way, but I would say go Delta!

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  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.