Delta recently revamped their entire portfolio of cards and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card was unfortunately not spared. The annual fee went up and the card structure became almost unrecognizable with all its new benefits and credits (became more "coupon book-y" as some may say).
This article will cover this card's new perks and benefits in detail to help you decide if it is a good fit for you!
Companion Certificate: A Ticket to Shared Experiences
Each year, upon card renewal, cardholders are rewarded with a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. This benefit is particularly valuable as it allows a companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees (no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights) and could help offset a significant portion of the annual fee.
While the Companion Certificate is pretty easy to use, there are some notable catches to be aware of:
- Companion Certificates can be booked for other people (other than yourself), but once the ticket is issued, it is no longer transferable
- If you cancel your ticket, the Companion Certificate will not be reinstated
- Travel must be booked and completed by the end date of the Companion Certificate
- Blackout dates are subject to the primary fare's rules
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) Headstart
Achieving elite status with Delta becomes more attainable with the card's MQD Headstart feature. Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
15% Off Award Travel
Booking award travel is now more rewarding with a 15% miles discount for Delta flights. This discount automatically applies to bookings made through Delta's website/app, stretching the value of your miles further. You must be signed into your Delta account with the appropriate card to see the discount applied.
Award flight with 15% discount automatically applied
Earn MQDs On Spend: 1 MQD / $20
Earning Medallion Status is more achievable with the card's unique earning structure, which grants $1 MQD for every $20 spent. This new feature matches American Airline's shift to loyalty points, which encourages credit card spend to get airline status.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Earn $1 MQD When You Spend $20
Receive 2,500 MQD Headstart annually
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Earn $1 MQD When You Spend $10
Receive 2,500 MQD Headstart annually
Up To $120 In Rideshare Statement Credits
Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. This credit differs from that of the Amex Gold, which gives $10 in Uber credit directly into your account, whereas this credit is essentially a reimbursement.
Up To $120 In Resy Statement Credits
Additionally, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Create a Resy account on Resy.com or on the Resy app to book a reservation,
This benefit seems a bit more difficult to use, as it requires consistent use of the Resy platform to make bookings and maximize this credit.
NEW $150 Delta Stays Credit
Delta Stays website
This new credit is one of the best things this card has to offer.
You can get an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays. Notably, this credit requires you to make a booking via a travel portal rather than a direct booking, which certainly has its ups and downs.
Delta Flight Benefits
Travel on Delta becomes smoother with the first checked bag free on Delta flights and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. This card could be especially useful for those who check bags frequently. Furthermore, if you have folks flying on the same reservation altogether, you can waive checked bag fees for everyone.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck®
A classic benefit, cardholders are eligible for up to $120 in statement credits when applying for Global Entry or TSA Precheck once every 4-4.5 years, depending on whichever one you're applying for.
Complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status
Cardholders are eligible to get complimentary Hertz Five Star status. While this doesn't offer much relative to Hertz President's Circle, it still gives you intro benefits like a wider selection of cars via Ultimate Choice, more points per dollar, and as-available upgrades. Better than nothing as I like to say!
Should You Get This Card?
While Delta has revamped this card and also introduced a larger annual fee of $350, it does come with a variety of new, useful benefits that can potentially position this card as one to join your wallet.
- For those without Delta status: This card gives a first free checked bag, priority boarding, up to $120 in rideshare credits, up to $120 in Resy credits, up to $150 in Delta Stays credits, a companion certificate, and 15% off award travel
- For those with Delta status (or those pursuing it): This card a massive 2,500 MQD headstart, lets you earn MQD when spending with the card, up to $120 in rideshare credits, up to $120 in Resy credits, up to $150 in Delta Stays credits, a companion certificate, and 15% off award travel
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