Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Review

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is best for travelers who fly Delta frequently enough that getting the airline’s elite traveling status—and all its perks—is worth the $195 annual fee. Heavy spenders with excellent credit will get the most value from the card. If you spend $25,000 in your first calendar year, the card’s bonuses alone will get you more than halfway to the first tier of Delta’s Medallion status, which comes with unlimited free upgrades to first class.

• Decent welcome offer: The welcome offer is generous for a Delta card, especially considering SkyMiles have a lower value than other airline miles. The spending requirement is on par with typical airline card offer rules, and if you earn the $100 statement credit, it's a solid deal overall.
• Helps you reach elite flying status faster: If you meet certain spending requirements, you’ll earn more than half of the Medallion Qualification Miles you need to earn silver Medallion status. More on this below.

• Rewards miles are worth less than competitors’ miles: The Balance’s research shows the miles you earn on this card to be worth much less than the value we give to points you earn on competing credit cards co-branded with American Airlines and United Airlines. 
• High annual fee: The $195 annual fee is higher than many airline credit cards with even better benefits charge. Plus, after January 30, 2020, the annual fee will jump up to $250 based on American Express card program changes. Just something to keep in mind if the current fee is already making you hesitate.
• Light rewards on regular spending: While many competing travel rewards cards offer bonus miles on at least one other category of spending (hotel stays, dining out, groceries, or gas), the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card only offers bonus miles on Delta purchases.  
• Unpredictable redemption rates: The Delta SkyMiles program is known for redemption values that change from day to day. When a flight costs 30,000 miles one day and 50,000 miles the next, it can be difficult to make sure you have the miles you need for your next trip. 

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card offers 75,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles toward elite Medallion status if you spend $3,000 within three months.

We value this welcome offer at $750 when you use your miles to pay part of a vacation package—or $675 when you redeem them for Delta flights. That's a good value for a Delta card offer, but it's only so-so when compared to other airline card offers that boast better bonuses for a lower annual fee.

That disparity is somewhat mitigated by the fact that you’ll qualify for a $100 statement credit if you make a Delta purchase on this card in the first three months.

On an ongoing basis, the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is most rewarding for frequent Delta flyers. You’ll earn 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, and 1 mile per $1 spent on everything else. (Some competing cards offer 2 miles per $1 spent on at least one other spending category, such as groceries, dining out, hotel stays, or gas.) Heavy spenders are the exception. If you spend $25,000 in any calendar year—on anything—you’ll earn an extra 10,000 miles (and 10,000 MQMs toward elite Medallion status). Note that after Jan. 30, 2020 big spenders will only earn extra MQMs, not additional SkyMiles.

There are no limits on the number of miles you can earn and the miles never expire.

Miles from the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card can be used in many ways, but generally speaking, using them for flying is one of the most lucrative options. However, editors at The Balance only value the card’s miles, on average, at 0.9 cents. That’s just over half the value of the miles you’ll earn on a competing United card and one-third of what you’ll earn on a similar American Airlines card. But if Delta is the airline that makes the most sense for you, those cards may not be an option.

You can use SkyMiles to book flights on Delta or more than 20 partner airlines such as Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Korean Air. There are no blackout dates with Delta award flights, but its partners may black out award availability.  

Keep in mind the Delta SkyMiles program doesn’t have an award chart and the same trip can require a wide range of award miles, with seemingly little rhyme or reason. 

Generally speaking, round-trip domestic flights start at around 20,000 miles, and international round-trip tickets start at about 40,000 miles. Both fare types can be much higher depending on your departure, destination, and dates.

Besides flying, you can use Delta SkyMiles for:

• Seat upgrades or Delta Sky Club entry
• Delta vacation packages or SkyMiles experiences
• Delta gift cards
• Jet travel with Delta private jets
• Shopping in the SkyMiles marketplace

Charge $25,000 within a calendar year in order to earn the 10,000 bonus miles and the 10,000 MQMs toward elite Medallion status. Make sure that includes spending $3,000 within three months of opening your account so you can earn the 75,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs from the welcome offer.

If you plan to book a Delta flight, you should book it within three months to secure the $100 statement credit. And if you can be flexible on your travel dates, keep an eye out for SkyMiles Deals, which sometimes have round-trip domestic flights starting at 11,000 miles.

Here are the benefits we think are most important.

• Airline companion certificate: Every year when you renew your card, you’ll qualify for a round-trip companion fare in the main cabin of a U.S. flight.
• Discounted airport lounge access: Cardholders and two guests get access to Delta Sky Clubs at a reduced rate of $29 per visit per person. Note: Starting Jan. 30, 2020, the reduced rate will be $39 per visit per person.
• Free checked bag: Cardholders and up to eight people traveling with them get their first checked bag free on Delta flights. (The fee is otherwise $30.)
• Priority boarding: By getting on the plane earlier, you’ll have a better chance of snagging limited overhead bin space for your carry-on.  
• Coverage for lost luggage: If your bags are lost or stolen, receive up to $1,250 per piece of carry-on luggage and up to $500 per piece of checked luggage per person, per trip. 
• Travel accident insurance: Receive up to $100,000 in the event of loss of life or accidental dismemberment on a trip paid for with your card. 

• Insurance for rental cars (secondary to your own policy)
• Insurance for damaged or stolen purchases
• Purchase return protection
• Extended warranties
• Discounts on in-flight purchases 
• Free shipping through ShopRunner for online shopping purchases 

American Express came in No. 2 out of 11 credit card companies in J.D. Power’s 2019 Credit Card Satisfaction Study. It’s known for being responsive to customer questions posed on social media, and you can also use the company’s online chat feature to get hold of agents. For those who prefer the phone, American Express offers a 24-7 customer service line.

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card has industry-standard security features, but it may be nice to know that if your card is lost or stolen, you can usually get an instant card number to use anywhere until your new card comes in the mail. 

Besides the sizable annual fee that will soon be even higher, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card fees are typical for a card of its type. It’s worth noting that there are no foreign transaction fees.