New AMEX Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Review

Delta is my airline of choice due to its service and consistency.

Delta has been my airline of choice among all major US airlines. United flights are not readily available in Pittsburgh (where I currently live), and I’ve unfortunately had numerous bad experiences while flying American Airlines. Delta has been the most consistent airline for me while traveling in the US, and though many people criticize Delta’s mileage valuation, I’ve gotten great value out of it. I was also thoroughly impressed by their main cabin dining experience when flying internationally to Tokyo on Delta’s economy seat. As of right now, Delta has four credit cards available through American Express: Blue Delta SkyMiles credit card, Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card, Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card, and Delta Reserve credit card. Today I will be focusing on the Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card. 

Current Sign-Up Bonus and Valuation 

Currently, a new cardmember of the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card has the chance to earn 100,000 Delta SkyMiles. This historic high sign-up bonus is broken up into two parts. The cardmember will receive 80,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $3,000 within three months of card opening, and an additional 20,000 Delta SkyMiles can be earned upon the cardmember’s first card anniversary. Valuing Delta’s SkyMiles at 1.2 cents per mile, the current signup bonus is worth about $1,200 (USD). 

The updated AMEX Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit cards are now metal. Photo credit: americanexpress.com

Traditionally, a new cardmember would earn 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) and 35,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of card opening. You’d also receive a $100 statement credit after making a Delta purchase with your new card within your first 3 months. This “Delta” purchase includes anything Delta; from Delta gift cards to drinks on a Delta flight or baggage fees. Using the same valuation of 1.2 cents per mile and adding the $100 credit, the old signup bonus was worth $520.

Compared to the traditional offer, the new signup bonus is unique in many ways. First, there is no MQM bonus or a $100 statement credit. An MQM bonus would be a nice boost towards a Delta status but it is meaningless if you are not chasing a Delta status. If you are a Delta loyalist with status, you can spend $25,000 a year to get an MQM waiver which covers up to the Platinum Medallion level. If you can meet the spending limit, and value the MQM waiver for your high-tier status, the Delta Platinum SkyMiles card becomes a much more valuable asset to your wallet. The lack of an MQM bonus shows that AMEX is now targeting anyone who is interested in flying Delta, with or without the status. Second, the additional bonus of 20,000 Delta SkyMiles kicks in after cardmembers renew their card after the first year. The new terms and conditions of the card state that “If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with the offer in any way or that you intend to do so, we may not credit bonus miles to your account”. The strong wording of the terms and conditions indicate that AMEX wants you to renew the card, so it’s an added measure to prevent people from churning credit card bonuses. If you are planning on downgrading or closing this card after your card anniversary date to avoid the annual fee, this may not be the best card for you. 

Medallion Qualification Miles are only important if you are chasing a Delta status. Photo credit: Delta.com

Annual fee and Multipliers

Delta Platinum SkyMiles credit card will cost you a $250 annual fee, raised from a previous fee of $195. In terms of multipliers, this is not the card’s strong suit. You’ll earn 3 miles per dollar on purchases made directly with Delta and with hotels, 2 miles at restaurants and US supermarkets, and 1 mile for all other purchases. However, any credit savvy person knows that airline credit cards are not greatly used for its multipliers, but are ideal for its benefits. 

Benefits: The reason you need this card for Delta flights

The most notable benefits are having your first checked bag free on Delta flights and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding. A first checked bag on Delta flights would normally cost you $30 and a second checked bag will be $40. This results in waiving $60 of baggage fees for all of your Delta round trip flights! If you fly Delta at least a couple of times a year, this is a no-brainer card for you. Priority boarding is also a great benefit, as you will automatically get Main Cabin 1 boarding. Main Cabin 1 is the first boarding group after Delta One, first-class or Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Sky Priority. It may seem that Main Cabin 1 is pretty far back on the list but after Main Cabin 1, there is Main Cabin 2, Main Cabin 3, and Basic Economy. Silver Medallion Delta members, the lowest Delta loyalty tier, also fall into Main Cabin 1 boarding criteria. It’s not so bad being granted the same boarding class as Delta’s starting loyalty tier simply by holding a credit card. 

Baggage fees can add up very fast.

Perhaps the most noteworthy benefit of the Delta Platinum SkyMiles credit card is a companion certificate, which is issued only after renewing the card. The companion pass is good for a roundtrip, domestic main cabin ticket (that means no basic economy), and you are only required to pay taxes and fees on the second economy flight ticket. Think of it as a buy-one-get-one-free deal. I will go over the details of the companion certificate in its own review, as there are many rules and restrictions. 

The companion pass allows you to travel the world with your friend.

Delta Platinum SkyMiles credit card also comes with a 20% discount in the form of a statement credit when making inflight food or beverage purchases, and you can buy Delta SkyLounge passes (for up to two companions) for $39 per person. I personally would not pay money for Delta SkyLounges when compared to other lounges, but it does get you free snacks and alcohol. 

As with most premium credit cards, Delta Platinum SkyMiles credit card comes with purchase protection, trip delay protection, return protection, extended warranty, lost-baggage reimbursement, and secondary car rental insurance. Cardmembers will now enjoy a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit in the form of a statement credit. 

Summary

Air travel expenses go far beyond buying a plane ticket. There are added expenses of driving to and from the airport, parking, overpriced airport food, baggage fees and the stress of waiting to board a flight. With the Delta Platinum SkyMiles credit card, your flight experience will be less expensive and more stress-free, thanks to benefits like a free first checked bag and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding. Though the card does not have strong multipliers, you really shouldn’t use this card to purchase airfare or other things unless you are a Delta loyalist and intend on chasing the MQM waiver by spending $25,000 a year using this card. With so many premium cards also offering a Global Entry/TSA Pre fee credit, I am doubtful that the hike in annual fees is financially justified, but for the perk of having a companion certificate, this card still has a place in my wallet.

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