Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Review

Who Is the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express Good For?

If you fly on Delta and are trying to reach or maintain elite status, the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card can be a great tool. This premium card offers a welcome bonus that includes Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) that count toward elite status.

Although the Platinum Delta card does come with a higher annual fee than both the basic and Gold Delta SkyMiles cards, it offers a greater potential for earning miles, with a slightly higher welcome bonus, as well as the ability to earn more bonus miles if you spend more.

You can use Delta SkyMiles to book flights on Delta, as well as on 20 other partner airlines, most of which are SkyTeam alliance members. In addition to flying comfortable jets that offer excellent customer service, Delta is the most punctual domestic airline, with the best on-time performance among the big three.

Welcome Bonus:

The current welcome bonus is 50,000 miles. Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs)and 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.

There have been better welcome offers in the past, though, including a 70,000-mile bonus that you can earn in the first three months of having the card. It may be worth waiting to see if it’s offered again.

Miles Earned:

You will get 2 miles on every dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases. With Miles Boost®, you can earn 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $25,000 or more in eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year. Earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $50,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in a Calendar year for a total of 20,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs. So, if you spend enough, you can get a total of 55,000 miles, 25,000 of which are MQMs. That’s enough for Silver Medallion status, though you’re also required to spend at least $3,000 on Delta flights.

What Do Your Miles Get You?

Delta usually has excellent award seat availability to Europe, Asia and Australia, even during peak travel times. That includes good availability in business class.

In addition, Delta has strategic partnerships with some of the best airlines in the world, like Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Korean Air. It’s also worth noting that there are no fuel surcharges on Delta flights not originating in Europe, or on most of the airline’s partners.

Usage Perks:

• Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs)and 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months. And a chance to earn more MQMs
• Cardholders get priority boarding and preferred seating
• Free checked bag
• Free companion ticket upon anniversary
• No foreign transaction fees
• Reduced cost access to Sky Club

Usage Quirks:

• Annual fee
• Fuel surcharges on flights originating in Europe
• No stopovers allowed
• High change and cancellation fees

How Far Do Your Miles Go?

In general, Delta award levels in economy are on par with American and United. In business class, however, Delta typically costs more than its peers, though United’s expensive redemptions on its partner airlines are an exception to that rule. These are what the three big airlines charge for a business class award between North America and Europe:

• American: 100,000 miles
• United: 115,000 to 140,000 miles
• Delta: 125,000 miles

It can be difficult to find the cheapest economy rate on some popular domestic routes. However, Delta recently started offering discounted rates on select short flights in the U.S. For example, it’s possible to get a round-trip flight between New York and Charlotte for only 20,000 miles, instead of the standard domestic redemption rate of 25,000 miles.

Additional Cardholder Benefits:

• 20 percent savings on in-flight purchases
• Extended warranty
• Zero liability
• Travel accident insurance
• Global Assist hotline
• Return protection
• Purchase protection
• Roadside assistance hotline
• Baggage insurance
• Trip cancellation coverage
• Car rental loss and damage insurance