Is the Delta Platinum Amex worth the annual fee?

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a mid-tier card with a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees).

When getting into the $300-plus range for annual fees, you start to question whether the benefits and perks make the annual fee worth it.

So, let’s dive in and see if the Delta Platinum card is worth its annual fee.

Welcome offer

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card offers 90,000 bonus Delta Air Lines SkyMiles after you spend $4,000 within the first six months of card membership. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents per point, which makes this offer worth $1,080. This offer ends March 27.

You can’t get this welcome offer if you are upgrading or downgrading from 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: The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history

Earning rates

The Delta Platinum card is limited to only earning Delta SkyMiles. This card earns 3 miles per dollar on all Delta purchases and hotels booked directly, 2 miles per dollar on dining (restaurants, takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. These rates equate to a 3.6%, 2.4%, and 1.2% return on spending, respectively.

Other cards have a higher return on spending than 1.2% on everyday purchases, but if you are a Delta loyalist, the airline-specific benefits and other credits make this a solid option.

Related: 16 best airline credit cards

Complimentary upgrades

Cardmembers who don’t have Delta SkyMiles Medallion status are eligible to receive complimentary upgrades to Delta One (within the 50 United States), first class and Delta Comfort+ after Medallion members.

It is important to note that upgrades from just being a cardmember are unlikely as all Medallion elite and upgrade certificates will take higher precedence in the upgrade queue.

Related: Secure a better seat: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta flights

Statement credits

Ride-hailing credits

Users of ride-hailing services will value the fact that the Delta Platinum has a monthly up-to-$10 credit after you use your 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.)

Related: Uber unveils new family, group features to simplify the travel experience

Resy credits

Foodies can rejoice, as the Delta Platinum offers monthly up-to-$10 Resy credits. Cardmembers receive up to $10 monthly in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. You can use this at any restaurant that is on the Resy platform. (Enrollment is required.)

Amex states: “Eligible Resy purchases include purchases at U.S. restaurants that offer reservations on Resy.com and the Resy app, and purchases made directly on Resy.com or in the Resy app. 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 made via Resy Pay and purchases of Resy OS restaurant management software are not eligible.”

This credit is valuable to me as I always eat out, and many restaurants are listed on Resy, so this can be treated as $10 off my meal price.

Delta Stays credit

Another perk Delta added to cards this year is the Delta Stays credit. Delta Platinum cardmembers receive an annual up-to-$150 credit on Delta Stays. 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 offsets the cost of the annual fee.

Related: 16 ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles

Hertz status

Delta Platinum cardmembers receive complimentary Hertz Five Star status. This status is mid-tier, with a one-car-class upgrade (if available) and an extra 25% points earned on each rental.

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 tend to get an upgrade every time I rent; in most cases, the upgrade is more than one class. (Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is required.)

Related: Save money on your next trip! Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car

Status boost

The Delta Platinum 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 coveted Medallion status.

Related: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it

Companion certificate

Cardmembers of the Delta Platinum get an annual companion certificate each card year anniversary. This companion certificate allows you to buy two round-trip tickets for the price of one plus the taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights. This companion certificate is valid on Main Cabin domestic (including Alaska and Hawaii), Caribbean and Central American routes.

Related: How to save money with an annual Delta companion ticket

Other benefits

The Delta Platinum 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)
• Priority boarding in Group 7 of 10
• Free checked bags (first bag free for the cardmember and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation)
• $100 credit for TSA PreCheck every four years or up to $85 for Global Entry every 4 1/2 years
• 20% back on inflight purchases of food and drink (inflight Wi-Fi purchases not included)
• Travel protections

Related: Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards

Bottom line

The Delta Platinum card is a mid-tier credit card in the SkyMiles Amex family and offers solid monthly credits and a decent earning rate to help offset the annual fee (see rates and fees).

If you utilize all the credits, you can easily come out ahead. This card option is good for Delta loyalists looking to achieve or maintain Medallion status. However, if you don’t utilize these credits or fly Delta frequently, there are better options with lower annual fees.

To learn more about the card, read our full review of the Delta Platinum card.

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Apple here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum

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For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, click here.