Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Review (2024)
09.02.2024 - 20:14
/ cntraveler.com
/ Delta Skymiles
/ Delta
/ Express
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This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Delta was voted the number one airline in the US in our annual Reader’s Choice Awards, so it comes as no surprise that it has four different co-branded credit cards with American Express tailor-made to appeal to its loyal customers.
My Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has traveled with me worldwide, from South America to Europe, but last year’s changes made me decide to downgrade to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. Delta and American Express recently announced another overhaul of their entire lineup of cobranded credit cards—here’s precisely what you can get for the new $350 annual fee (see rates and fees), and who could benefit from it.
I began traveling frequently in 2018 and quickly discovered how much I loved flying Delta. To me, its in-flight experiences and customer service are far superior to those of other airlines. So I signed up for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold AmEx Card (see rates and fees), a $150 annual fee card, but eventually upgraded to the Platinum in 2021 for even more benefits and an upgrade points bonus. I really enjoyed using this card until Delta announced changes to how you earn status and restrictions to Sky Club entry. Previously, cardholders could visit the Sky Club at a per-visit rate of $50. This benefit has ended, which I feel is a major blow to the utility of the card. When these changes were announced, I downgraded back to the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, which offers many of the same useful benefits without the higher price tag. However, the most recent updates make me wonder if I made a mistake downgrading my card.
The main reason you might still find value in this card is to earn Delta SkyMiles. Every time you book a flight on Delta with the Platinum Card, you get three miles for each dollar you spend (the same rate as the Reserve, but more than the Gold's two miles per dollar). At that rate, you can often buy a few flights and then get one for free using your miles, or help offset the cost of a long-haul flight.
This card is especially valuable if you live near a Delta hub like Atlanta. My home airport used to be the Raleigh-Durham airport, where Delta has