“How are the Delta Platinum Amex and American Express Platinum Card different?” This is a question we’re asked fairly often. (It doesn’t help that so many things Delta and Amex carry the “Platinum” title.)
Several readers have requested a post comparing the two cards. Given The Platinum Card from American Express‘ new mega welcome bonus, now is a good time!
Delta Platinum Amex vs Amex Platinum Card: Which One is Better?
After we’re asked about the differences between the cards, the next question usually is along the lines of “Which one should I get? Which one is better?”
As with many things in the points-miles-loyalty program world, beauty is in the eye of the cardholder, if you will. So much depends on a person’s budget, travel preferences, point-earning strategies, and point-redeeming strategies.
The Platinum Card from American Express (the “Amex Platinum Card”) holds a ton of great travel benefits such as complimentary access to airport lounges across the world, complimentary hotel status Hilton and Marriott, and its Membership Rewards points are incredibly flexible. It’s also expensive. The card carries a $550 annual fee.
Meanwhile, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card (aka “Delta Platinum Amex”) is great for people who fly Delta even just a couple of times each year. The cardholder and up to eight others on the same PNR/confirmation number each get their first checked bag for free — on each trip. That can save a lot of money. Plus, the points earnings are — generally — better than the Amex Platinum Card. (Buying Delta airfare, though, earns more points with the Amex Platinum Card than any Delta Amex — unless there’s an Amex Offer or other promotion like this running.)
Plus, the Delta Platinum Amex allows cardholders to spend their way to MQM bonuses and ditch the MQD spend requirements.
The Platinum Card from American Express is known for its airport lounge benefits, including Delta Sky Club admission for the cardholder when flying Delta. One of my friends flies Delta several times a year — but never checks a bag and couldn’t care less about status. (Hey, that’s his choice.) But he loves lounge access. So he carries the Amex Platinum card and couldn’t be happier.
Meanwhile, others don’t give a CRJ’s tail about lounge access, thank you very much. They’d rather have the Delta Platinum Amex’s companion certificate and free first checked bag benefits.
And then there are those of us who have both cards (and then some) because we take advantage of most (if not all) of both cards’ benefits.
Again: it all comes down to personal preference.
So with that in mind, below is a chart highlighting some of the similarities and differences between the two cards. This isn’t a complete table — but hopefully, it gives you a good overview
| The Platinum Card from American Express | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card | |
 |
 |
|
| Annual Fee | $550 | $250 |
| Additional Cardholders | $175 (up to 3) for Platinum Cards with select benefits. Or Gold Cards for free without benefits. | Free. No benefits extended. |
| Current Welcome Offer | Learn more here. | Learn more here. |
| What Type of Points Does It Earn? | American Express Membership Rewards. | Delta SkyMiles |
| Basic Points Earnings | 5X on purchases made directly with airlines.
5X on airfares or hotel nights purchased through AmexTravel.com. 1X on all other purchases |
3X on Delta Air Lines purchases
3X on purchases made directly with hotels 2X on at restaurants worldwide 2X at US supermarkets |
| Transfer Points to Other Programs? | Yes. See a list of eligible programs here. | No. |
| Select US cell phone provider and streaming service credits (through December 2020) | Yes. | No. |
| Global Entry or TSA Pre√ Application Credit Every Four Years (Up to $100) | Yes. | Yes. |
| Delta Sky Club Access (When Flying Delta) | Complimentary for cardholders — including paid authorized users. | $39 for cardholders.
Bring up to two guests for $39 per person. |
| American Express Centurion Lounge Access | Complimentary for cardholders — including paid authorized users.
Complimentary access for up to two guests per paid Platinum card — including paid authorized user cards. |
No. |
| Escape Lounge Access | Complimentary for cardholders — including paid authorized users.
Complimentary access for up to two guests per paid Platinum card — including paid authorized user cards. |
No. |
| Priority Pass Membership | Complimentary for cardholders — including paid authorized users. | No. |
| Complimentary Access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection | Yes. | No. |
| Eligible Spending Counts Toward Delta MQD Waiver | No. | Yes. |
| Cardholder is Eligible to Use Delta’s Pay With Miles (PWM) Feature. | No. | Yes. |
| Earn Delta Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM)Boosts Through Credit Card Spend | No. | Yes. 10,000 bonus MQM after spending $25,000 on purchases in a calendar year. Another 10,000 bonus MQM after spending an additional $25,000 on purchases during a calendar year.
(Long story short: spending $50,000 on purchases gets you 20,000 bonus MQM.) |
| $200 in Annual Airline Incidental Credit | Yes. Enrollment is required. Benefit is limited to one eligible airline selected by cardholder. | No. |
| Complimentary First Checked Bag Free When Flying Delta Air Lines | No. | Yes for cardholder and up to eight others on same confirmation number/PNR. |
| 20% Statement Credit on Onboard Purchases Made During Delta Air Lines Flights (i.e. Premium Snacks, Alcoholic Beverages.) | No. | Yes. |
| Companion Certificate for Eligible Delta Air Lines Flights | No. | Yes, beginning second year of cardmembership. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status | Complimentary for cardholders — including paid authorized users. | No. |
| Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status | Complimentary for cardholders — including paid authorized users. | No. |
| No Foreign Transaction Fees. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Trip Delay Insurance | Yes. Applies to covered reasons if a trip is delayed by more than 6 hours. Maximum of $500 per trip, maximum two claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions, and limits apply. | Yes. Applies to covered reasons if a trip is delayed by more than 12 hours. Maximum of $300 per trip, maximum two claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions, and limits apply. |
| “Priority Boarding” (Main Cabin 1) on Delta Air Lines Flights When Flying Coach | No. | Yes. |
| Up to $200 in Annual If-Used Uber Cash Deposits for Uber or Uber Eats. Complimentary Eats Pass Subscription | Yes. | No. |
| Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts Benefits | Yes. | No. |
| Saks Fifth Avenue Statement Credit — $50 Semi-Annually | Yes. | No. |
| International Airline Program | Yes. Save on international First, Business, Premium Economy seats on more than 25 world-class airlines. | No. |
| Rates & Fees | See applicable rates, terms, and fees. | See applicable rates and fees. |
Final Thoughts
The Platinum Card from American Express and Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card are somewhat similar in title (“Platinum”) but (most of) the similarities stop there. They’re not necessarily for everyone. But if you know which benefits you want — and how to get at least your annual fee worth — they can greatly enhance your travel experiences.
If you prefer one or the other, please tell us why in the below Comments section. Or if you like — or dislike both — share those thoughts, too!
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
8 Comments
Really helpful. Thank you.
The Delta Amex gives me the MQD waiver to make PM status every year without spending any $ on Delta flights. And I can get all of my 75,000 MQMs with spending and PWM. Everything else is just a bonus.
I have the business Amex Platinum card, as well as DL plat and DL Reserve business cards.
Not sure if its still there, but the Amex Plat used to have a free companion ticket for international first or business class ticket purchased through them.
So not sure if if they still do the 30 percent points back when either paying with points on your preferred airline or business/first on any airline.
I know the Amex Business Platinum Card still has the 35% Pay with Points rebate. I absolutely love it.
Very helpful. Could you add a column to include the DL Amex Biz Platinum? (I don’t think it includes 2x groceries but something else.)
Thanks, Rick. Maybe I’ll do another post comparing the DL Biz Plat to DL Plat sometime! In the meantime, this tells you a little about the DL Biz Platinum.
Thanks, but that link doesn’t work.
Whoops, sorry! I corrected the link in my response — and have included it here.