Is the Delta Platinum American Express 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 annual fees reach the $300-plus mark, you start to question whether the benefits and perks make the fee worthwhile.

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

Welcome offer

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers new cardmembers the opportunity to earn an elevated 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. This offer ends July 16.

TPG’s June 2025 valuations value Delta SkyMiles at 1.25 cents per point, which makes this offer worth $1,125.

You might not be eligible for this welcome offer if you have or have had other SkyMiles Amex cards. If you want to upgrade or downgrade, you should check your Amex account and see if there are any offers.

American Express may consider other factors when determining your welcome offer eligibility. Make sure to pay attention to any messages that pop up during the application process.

Related: Best time to apply for Delta American Express cards based on offer history

Earning rates

The Delta Platinum Amex is limited to only earning Delta SkyMiles.

This card earns:

• 3 miles per dollar spent on all Delta purchases and hotels worldwide booked directly
• 2 miles per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets
• 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

Based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations, these rates equate to a 3.8%, 2.5% and 1.3% return on spending, respectively.

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

Related: Best airline credit cards

Complimentary upgrades

Cardmembers who don’t have Delta SkyMiles Medallion status are eligible to receive complimentary upgrades to Delta One (on domestic flights), first class and Delta Comfort+ after Medallion members.

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

That said, even receiving just one upgrade in a calendar year can help offset the Delta Platinum Amex’s annual fee.

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

Appealing credits

Ride-hailing statement credits

Users of ride-hailing services will value the fact that the Delta Platinum Amex offers a monthly up-to-$10 statement credit (up to $120 per calendar year) after they use their 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; terms apply.)

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

Resy statement credits

Foodies can rejoice, as the Delta Platinum Amex has Resy credits. Cardmembers receive up to $10 monthly in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $120 per calendar year).

Any restaurant on Resy is eligible for the credit if you pay using your Delta Platinum Amex. (Enrollment is required; terms apply.)

Amex states: “Eligible Resy purchases include purchases made directly from U.S. restaurants that offer reservations on Resy.com and the Resy app and accept American Express Cards, purchases made directly on Resy.com or in the Resy app, and purchases made via Resy Pay. 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 of Resy OS restaurant management software and Resy-branded American Express® Gift Cards are not eligible.”

This credit is valuable to me as I often eat out at restaurants, and many restaurants are listed on Resy, so I treat this as $10 off the cost of my meal.

Delta Stays statement credit

Delta Platinum Amex cardmembers receive an annual up-to-$150 credit on Delta Stays per calendar year. 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 helps offset the cost of the annual fee.

Related: 16 ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles

Hertz status

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

(Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is required; terms apply.)

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 get an upgrade almost every time I rent; in most cases, the upgrade is more than one class.

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

Status boost

The Delta Platinum Amex 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 valuable Medallion status.

Companion certificate

Cardmembers of the Delta Platinum Amex get an annual companion certificate each card year anniversary. This companion certificate allows you to buy two round-trip tickets (with up to four segments) for the price of one — plus taxes and fees between $22 and $250.

This companion certificate is valid on round-trip Main Cabin tickets on flights within the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) and to and from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

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

Other benefits

The Delta Platinum Amex 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)
• Free checked bags (first bag free for the cardmember and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation)
• A $120 credit for Global Entry every four years or up to an $85 credit for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years
• 20% back on inflight purchases of food and drink (inflight Wi-Fi purchases not included)
• Travel protections

(Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.)

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

Bottom line

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

This card option is good for Delta loyalists looking to achieve or maintain Medallion status. If you utilize all the credits, you can easily come out ahead.

However, if you don’t utilize these credits or fly Delta frequently, there are better options with lower annual fees.

To learn more, 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.