The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card rewards frequent Delta flyers with miles on every purchase and waives the first checked bag fee

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is designed for people who fly Delta multiple times a year and want to earn miles faster than the basic SkyMiles card. Every dollar you spend earns miles — 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The card also waives your first checked bag fee on Delta flights, which saves you $35 to $40 per round trip if you check luggage regularly.

The annual fee is $99, which the card pays for itself if you check bags on just three round trips per year. Beyond that, the card includes perks like priority boarding, a $100 annual incidental credit you can use toward baggage fees or seat upgrades, and a companion certificate that lets someone fly with you for the cost of taxes and fees once per year.

This card makes sense if you fly Delta at least four or five times annually. If you fly other airlines more often, or if you rarely check bags, a general travel card with no annual fee might earn you more value.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other spending, which adds up faster than the no-annual-fee SkyMiles card.
  • The $99 annual fee is offset by the first checked bag waiver alone if you check bags on three or more round trips per year.
  • The $100 annual incidental credit covers baggage fees, seat upgrades, or other Delta travel expenses, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
  • You get a companion certificate each year that lets someone fly with you for taxes and fees only, though blackout dates and seat availability restrictions explore.
  • Priority boarding and other perks help you board earlier and access overhead bin space, but these benefits depend on your Delta frequent flyer status as well.

How the miles earning structure works

The card earns miles on two different rates depending on where you spend. On Delta purchases — flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees paid directly to Delta — you earn 2 miles per dollar. On everything else, you earn 1 mile per dollar. This means a $500 Delta flight earns 1,000 miles, while a $500 grocery purchase earns 500 miles.

Miles accumulate in your Delta SkyMiles account, which is separate from your credit card account. You can redeem miles for Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or partner airline tickets. The value of a mile varies depending on what you book — a domestic flight might cost 25,000 miles while an international flight costs 50,000 or more. You can also transfer miles to hotel and car rental partners, though the redemption value is often lower.

The card does not earn bonus miles for sign-up. American Express occasionally runs promotions offering extra miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months, but these are not may provide and change throughout the year.

The annual fee and what it covers

The $99 annual fee posts to your account each year on your card anniversary. American Express charges this fee whether you use the card or not, so you need to decide upfront whether the benefits justify the cost.

The checked bag waiver alone covers the fee if you check bags on three round trips per year — that is six checked bags total, at $35 to $40 per bag depending on whether you are flying domestic or international. If you never check bags, or if you fly only once or twice per year, the annual fee becomes harder to justify.

The $100 annual incidental credit is separate from the annual fee. You can use it toward baggage fees, seat upgrades, Delta gift cards, or other may be able to access travel expenses charged to your Delta account. This credit does not roll over if you do not use it in a calendar year, so plan to use it or lose it.

The companion certificate and how to use it

The card includes a annual companion certificate that lets one person fly with you for the cost of taxes and fees only — usually $5 to $15 per flight segment, depending on the route. You choose when to use it, and it does not expire until the end of your card membership year.

The companion must be a real person traveling with you on the same flight. You cannot use it for yourself, and you cannot transfer it to someone else to use without you. The certificate works on any Delta flight, including basic economy fares, but it is subject to blackout dates around major holidays and peak travel periods. Seat availability also matters — if the flight is full, you cannot use the certificate even if seats are technically available.

To use the certificate, you book your own ticket first, then contact Delta to add the companion on the same flight using the certificate. Delta will issue a ticket for the companion at the reduced rate. This process usually takes a few days, so plan ahead rather than trying to use it last-minute.

Priority boarding and other perks

The card gives you priority boarding on Delta flights, which means you board before most other passengers. This helps you find overhead bin space for your carry-on bag and settle in before the cabin fills. However, your boarding priority also depends on your Delta frequent flyer status — elite members board even earlier — so the card's priority boarding is a bonus on top of your frequent flyer tier, not a replacement for it.

You also get a statement credit toward your Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer account each year. This credit can be used to purchase miles or to cover annual membership fees if you join a paid tier of the frequent flyer program, though most people use it to buy miles at a discount.

The card does not include travel insurance, lounge access, or other perks that come with premium travel cards. If you want airport lounge access, you would need to reach for a higher-tier Delta card or a different travel card altogether.

When the Platinum card makes financial sense

The card pays for itself if you check bags on at least three round trips per year. If you fly Delta four or more times annually and check bags on most trips, the math works in your favor. A frequent Delta traveler who checks bags on five round trips per year saves $175 to $200 in baggage fees alone, which covers the $99 annual fee and leaves room for the miles you earn on top.

The card also makes sense if you value the companion certificate. Using it once per year on a domestic flight saves you $150 to $300 in ticket cost, which is substantial. If you travel with the same person regularly, this benefit alone can justify the annual fee.

The card does not make sense if you fly Delta only once or twice per year, if you never check bags, or if you fly multiple airlines equally. In those cases, a no-annual-fee travel card or a general rewards card might earn you more value without the fixed cost.

How this card compares to other Delta options

American Express offers three Delta co-branded cards: the Blue, Gold, and Platinum. The Blue card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases — it is the entry point for Delta flyers who want to earn miles without paying a fee. The Gold card costs $95 per year and earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar elsewhere, plus a $50 annual incidental credit. The Platinum card costs $99 and adds the companion certificate and higher incidental credit ($100 instead of $50).

If you fly Delta infrequently or want to avoid annual fees, the Blue card is the right choice. If you fly Delta regularly and want the companion certificate, the Platinum card is worth the extra $4 per year over the Gold card. If you want to maximize miles earning without the companion benefit, the Gold card splits the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?

No. The $99 annual fee does not earn miles. Only purchases you make with the card earn miles at the stated rates.

Can I use the companion certificate on a basic economy ticket?

Yes. The companion certificate works on any Delta fare class, including basic economy. The companion pays taxes and fees only, regardless of the fare type you booked for yourself.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your Delta SkyMiles account. Closing the card does not delete your miles. However, if you do not have any Delta co-branded card and you do not fly Delta for 24 months, Delta may close your frequent flyer account and miles may expire.

Does the $100 incidental credit cover seat upgrades?

Yes. The incidental credit covers seat upgrades, baggage fees, Delta gift cards, and other may be able to access travel expenses. It does not cover the base ticket price.

Can I use the companion certificate on an international flight?

Yes. The companion certificate works on any Delta flight, domestic or international. Taxes and fees are higher on international flights, so the companion's cost will be higher, but the certificate still applies.