Delta SkyMiles Program Review

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card's benefits include travel insurance, free checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights, discounted Delta Sky Club access, and 20% off refreshments and headphones when flying with Delta. Another Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card perk is its initial bonus offer: 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months. This card offers benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranties, too.

Its travel insurance includes coverage for rental cars and lost or stolen baggage. Since it's an airline credit card, most of this card's benefits are related to travel. But there's plenty to cover your everyday spending too. That includes return protection, which can reimburse you for recent purchases that you're unable to return for a refund. Making the most of these benefits will help make up for the card's $250 annual fee.

Top Amex Platinum Delta Benefits:

1. Baggage insurance: If you pay for your flight with a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you and your immediate family are covered for lost, damaged and stolen luggage during the travel. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per trip.
2. Car rental insurance: If a car you rented with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card suffers theft or damage, you're covered up to $50,000. Your auto rental insurance covers repairs or the cost of the car. To active it, decline to buy the rental company's insurance. This card provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. You should note that not all vehicle types or rentals are covered and geographic restrictions also apply.
3. Initial bonus: You earn 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
4. First checked bag free: When you book a flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you and up to 9 people on your reservation get the first checked bag free.
5. Delta Sky Club access: Delta Platinum members get access to Delta Sky Club airline lounges for $39 per visit. A normal single-visit pass costs $59.
6. In-flight savings: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card members save 20% on in-flight food, beverages, and headphones on Delta-operated flights. The discount comes as a statement credit.
7. Priority boarding: Card members get to board with Zone 1 on all Delta flights.
8. Extended warranty: You can get up to one extra year of warranty on items purchased with this card. It applies to warranties of five years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of up to $10,000 per item and up to $50,000 per account per year.
9. Purchase protection: If something you purchased with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card gets accidentally damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, you could be eligible for up to $1,000 in reimbursement per occurrence and up to $50,000 per account per year.

Several of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card's benefits make your flight more enjoyable. Others provide peace of mind about purchases. But the most valuable benefits are the different types of travel insurance it offers. That's one of several reasons this card makes the most sense for a frequent Delta flyer.

Insurance benefits disclosure: Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Baggage Insurance Plan - For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip.

One of the best SkyMiles credit card is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card because it offers an initial bonus of 40,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The Delta Gold Card also has a $0 intro annual fee the first year ($99 after that), plus benefits like free checked bags and extensive ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

Best SkyMiles Credit Cards

For big-spenders in particular, the Delta Reserve Credit Card card may wind up being the best SkyMiles credit card because of its benefits. The Delta Reserve Credit Card card comes with a welcome offer 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Cardholders also get complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge locations for free. This card comes with a $550 annual fee, however. So much like the Amex Delta Platinum, which charges a $250 annual fee, the Delta Reserve Credit Card is a better option for big spenders who can offset these costs.

How to Decide if a SkyMiles Card is Your Best Option

If you're a Delta enthusiast who flies with the airline regularly, it makes good sense from a rewards perspective to keep a SkyMiles card in your wallet. If you're not partial to Delta, SkyMiles cards are probably not your best option. Expanding your selection to include other airlines will open up travel reward card possibilities comparable to, and in some cases more attractive than, SkyMiles cards.

Ultimately, if you're a frequent traveler who doesn't want to be tied to a specific airline, feel free to also check out our editors' picks for the best travel credit cards on the market.

You can get the Amex Delta Platinum companion ticket by renewing your card. The companion ticket is an electronic certificate that Amex offers after each account anniversary. The certificate allows cardholders to bring a companion on one round-trip domestic flight without buying another ticket.  

The Amex Delta Platinum companion certificate will be available within a month after you pay the $250 annual fee required to keep the account open for another year. It is not available until your account has been open for at least 12 months.   

Here's how to access the Amex Delta Platinum companion ticket:

1. Log on to your online Delta.com account.
2. Go to “My Delta,” and select “My Wallet.”
3. Then, select “Credits and Certificates.” You companion certificate will be there waiting.

To use your companion certificate, find the 8-digit code at the bottom and enter it on Delta's redemption portal. From there, you'll be able to search for and book eligible flights.  

But before you redeem, there's some fine print that might affect your trip.

Amex Delta Platinum companion ticket details:

• You don't have to buy a second ticket to use your companion certificate. But you may still have to pay up to $75 in government-imposed taxes and fees, plus baggage charges.
• For most fares, you'll need to book 14 days in advance if you want to bring a companion. Your trip must last a minimum of 3 nights and a maximum of 30 days.
• You must book and complete travel by the date on your companion certificate. Normally, this is 13 months from the date it's issued.
• Both the primary ticket and the companion ticket must be booked for the same flight on the same date.
• You must book your entire reservation through Delta's website and pay with your Amex Delta Platinum or rewards to use your companion ticket.
• Only Main Cabin seats in coach and business classes are eligible for companion flights.
• If the person who bought the ticket is a member of Delta Medallion rewards, both passengers are eligible for free upgrades, when available. The companion just has to be a SkyMiles member. Upgrades are based on the status of the higher-tiered passenger.
• Companion tickets are non-transferable once a flight is booked. So, you can't switch companions.
• Companion tickets can't be combined with other discounts or sales.

The Amex Delta Platinum companion ticket isn't quite as free as it sounds, since you still have to pay taxes and fees. And there are restrictions about how and when you can redeem your certificate. But all in all, if you're an Amex Delta Platinum member, it's a great way to get a (nearly) free flight.

After a thorough Delta credit card comparison, the Gold Delta SkyMiles card is the best Delta Airlines card because it offers 40,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The Gold's card's annual fee of $0 intro for the first year ($99 after) is a huge plus, especially if you plan on spending a lot during those first 12 months.

When comparing Delta credit card offers, it's important to focus on annual fees, initial bonuses and extra perks. That's where the biggest differences are.

• All Delta SkyMiles cards have some sort of initial bonus offer
• Most Delta credit cards have annual fees.
• Some offer priority boarding and free first checked bags.
• All of them feature the same APR range.
• All require a good credit score or better to qualify. All give at least 1 mile per $1 on all purchases.

But the devil is in the details. By framing your comparison of Delta's credit card offers in terms of your own spending and payment habits, you can confidently determine which card is best for you. It really comes down to how frequently you fly Delta and which perks you'll want when you travel. If a Delta credit card has an annual fee, you'll have to decide if you fly Delta frequently enough to cover the cost, which is as high as $550 for the SkyMiles Reserve card.

How much 40,000 miles are worth depends on the airline or credit card you earn them from and when you book your flight. On average, 40,000 miles are worth about $400. But it can vary widely. For example, 40,000 AAdvantage miles are worth roughly $456 in American Airlines airfare. With United, 40k miles get you $416 in flights. And 40k Delta miles are worth $532.

Here's how much 40,000 miles are worth by airline:

1. Lufthansa: $916
2. Southwest: $616
3. JetBlue: $572
4. Delta: $532
5. American: $456
6. United: $416

Credit card miles that aren't tied to a particular airline typically get you a penny each. But how you redeem your miles is really important, too. For example, the Capital One Venture Card's 50,000-mile initial bonus is worth $500 when used for travel but just $250 when redeemed for cash.

The best Delta credit card bonus is offered by the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. You'll earn 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.

Here are some of the best Delta credit card bonuses:

• Overall: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - 40,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
• Initial bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
• Medallion Qualification Miles Bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card - 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• Business Bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - 60,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

The best Delta credit card bonus offer is subjective and depends on a number of factors. Your spending habits, the rewards you're after and whether you're looking for a business or personal card all come into play.

Researching and comparing the features, bonuses and fees of each card will allow you to match up the right card with your priorities. Feel free to check out our editors' latest picks for the best Delta credit cards and see which one suits your needs.

You cannot earn the Amex Delta Platinum 70k mile bonus because this was a temporary offer that expired. The current Amex Delta Platinum bonus is 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

You can still earn a lot of bonus miles with the Amex Delta Platinum current promotional offers.

Here's what the Amex Delta Platinum currently offers:

• Good initial bonus: You'll earn 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
• Ongoing rewards: The Amex Delta Platinum offers 3 miles per $1 spent with Delta, 3 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, as well as 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• Medallion Qualification Miles: The MQMs that you earn will count towards reaching Medallion Status. Medallion is Delta's four-tiered loyalty program, whose benefits include extra miles on purchases, complimentary upgrades, and waived fees.
• Other travel perks: With the Amex Delta Platinum, you can get free checked bags, priority boarding, statement credits for eligible purchases, fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and so much more.

The Amex Delta Platinum 70k mile bonus may no longer be available, but the 50,000 miles you now get is also pretty good. If you're a frequent Delta flyer that you want to commit to the airline, snagging an extra 5,000 MQMs isn't a bad way to start.

The Amex Delta Platinum MQM offer is up to 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost per year. You can earn 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles for spending $25,000 in a year and another 10,000 for spending $50,000.

In addition, the Amex Delta Platinum offers 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.

That's the MQM offer, but to earn Medallion status with your American Express card you also need Medallion Qualifying Segments and Medallion Qualifying Dollars. I'll explain those below.

Here's what you should know about the Amex Delta Platinum MQM offer:

• In addition to the Amex Delta Platinum 50,000 miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, you can earn: 10,000 MQMs for spending $25,000 in a year and another 10,000 for spending $50,000. You can also earn MQMs by flying Delta.
• Unlike regular frequent flyer miles, MQMs can't be used to book travel. Instead, they go towards earning Medallion status. Medallion is Delta's four-tiered loyalty program, whose benefits include extra miles on purchases, complimentary upgrades, and waived fees.
• MQSs are Medallion Qualifying Segments. They reward you for flying frequently rather than flying far.
• MQDs are Medallion Qualifying Dollars. Medallion Qualifying Dollars are what you spend on Delta flights, aside from taxes.
• You need 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs and $3,000 MQDs to reach the lowest Medallion status, Silver.
• You can get the MQD requirement waived by spending $25,000 with your Amex Delta Platinum in a calendar year. This waiver does not include Diamond Medallion Status, for which the spending threshold is $250,000.
• You earn Medallion status for the upcoming year, and your MQMs reset to zero at the end of each year.
• Any MQMs between tiers that you have earned at the end of the year will roll over into the next year and count towards earning Medallion Status in the subsequent year. Moreover, all MQMs earned in 2022 will count towards 2023 Medallion status.

Moreover, it is worth noting that Delta extended 2021 Medallion Status through 1/31/2023 and all MQMs will roll over into 2022.

To get a Delta Gold Card cash advance:

1. Call American Express customer service at 1 (800) 528-4800 and request a PIN, if you don't already have one.
2. Insert the credit card at an ATM and enter the PIN.
3. Select the cash advance option on the ATM screen.
4. Enter the amount you'd like to withdraw.
5. Withdraw the cash and remove the credit card from the ATM.

Before you take out a Delta Gold Card cash advance, it's important to note that it is a very expensive transaction. For starters, there's a cash advance fee of 5% (min $10). There's also a separate cash advance APR of 25.99% (V) that applies as soon as you withdraw the cash. There may be ATM-owner fees, too.