Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex Review 2026

Quick answer

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is the mid-tier Delta card for frequent flyers seeking Medallion status. At $350/year, it earns 3x SkyMiles on Delta and hotels, includes a companion certificate (domestic economy, no spend requirement), MQM boosts of 10,000 MQMs at $25K spend and 10,000 more at $50K, and a free first checked bag. It sits between the Gold ($150) and Reserve ($650), making sense primarily if you're chasing Medallion status or value the included companion cert.

TL;DR: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex earns 3x SkyMiles on Delta and hotels, 2x on dining and at US supermarkets, 1x elsewhere. Annual fee: $350. Welcome bonus: 60,000–90,000 SkyMiles after $3,000–$4,000 in 3 months. First checked bag free. Annual companion certificate (domestic economy). MQM boost: 10K MQMs at $25K spend, 10K more at $50K. 20% inflight discount.

At a glance

Why the companion certificate matters

The Platinum includes a domestic roundtrip companion certificate valid in economy — with no spend requirement. You pay just taxes and fees for a second passenger. On a $300 round-trip route (e.g., NYC to Miami), this certificate saves $300.

The Gold card gives a companion certificate only after $10,000 in annual spend. The Platinum's certificate is unconditional, making it more accessible. If you use it once, you recover ~$200-$400 of the $350 annual fee. See the full companion certificate guide for booking tips and restrictions.

MQM Boosts: The Medallion path

With 20,000 bonus MQMs at $50K spend, the Platinum can accelerate your progress toward Medallion status:

• Silver: 30,000 MQMs (bonus from Platinum fills 67% if you fly 10K base MQMs)
• Gold: 50,000 MQMs (bonus from Platinum + flying may reach it)
• Platinum: 75,000 MQMs (would need the Delta Reserve's higher MQM boosts or significant flying)

Delta Platinum vs Delta Gold ($150/year)

The $200 upgrade is worth it if: You use the companion certificate at least once AND you're working toward Medallion status with the MQM boosts. If neither applies, the Gold is better value. Not sure which Delta card fits your situation? Check the best Delta credit cards comparison.

Delta Platinum vs Delta Reserve ($650/year)

Choose Reserve if: You want Sky Club lounge access or the companion certificate in any cabin (including Delta One). Before deciding, it helps to understand how to maximize Delta SkyMiles across both cards.

Who should get the Delta Platinum

Ideal candidates:

• Moderate Delta flyers working toward Silver or Gold Medallion status
• Travelers who regularly fly with a companion on domestic routes (free companion cert)
• Those who check bags ($30-35 savings on every trip)
• Anyone spending $25,000-$50,000 annually who wants MQM acceleration

Stick with Gold instead:

• You don't fly enough to justify $200 more than the Gold
• You never fly with a companion (companion cert irrelevant)
• You're not pursuing Medallion status

Upgrade to Reserve instead:

• You want Sky Club access
• You're pursuing Diamond Medallion and need the $30K/$60K MQM boosts

Bottom line

The Delta Platinum is the middle child of Delta cards — better than Gold for status chasers and companion travelers, but lacks the Reserve's lounge access. At $350/year, it makes sense if you can use the companion certificate (easily worth $200-400) AND are pursuing Medallion status. To get the most out of whichever card you hold, review the Delta SkyMiles award sweet spots to ensure your points stretch as far as possible. Otherwise, the Gold at $150/year delivers better value per dollar.