The Delta Amex Platinum gives you airline perks, lounge access, and statement credits tied to specific spending

The Delta American Express Platinum Card is a co-branded credit card that combines American Express Platinum benefits with Delta-specific rewards. You get some of the standard Amex Platinum features — like airport lounge access and travel credits — plus Delta-focused additions like companion certificate offers and checked baggage waivers. The card costs $695 per year, and whether it makes sense depends on how much you actually fly Delta and whether you use the perks that come with it.

This is not a travel rewards card where you earn points on every purchase and redeem them for flights. It is a card built around specific benefits that either save you money on Delta travel or give you access to spaces and services. If you do not fly Delta regularly, or if you do not use lounges or checked bags, the annual fee is hard to justify.

Key Takeaways

  • The card includes a $100 annual Delta credit that covers tickets, seat upgrades, or baggage fees on Delta flights only.
  • You get complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on a Delta flight, plus access to some American Express lounges worldwide.
  • The card waives the first checked bag fee on Delta flights for you and up to two companions on the same reservation.
  • A companion certificate offer (typically one round-trip domestic ticket at the cost of taxes and fees) comes with the card, though terms and availability change by offer period.
  • You earn Delta SkyMiles on purchases, but the earning rate and bonus structure vary — check your specific card terms for current rates.

The $100 Delta credit and how to use it

The card comes with a $100 annual statement credit that applies only to Delta purchases. This means tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees, seat selection fees, or any other charge that appears on your Delta bill. It does not work at airport restaurants, hotels, rental cars, or any non-Delta vendor, even if you book through Delta's website.

The credit posts automatically once per year, usually around your card anniversary. You do not have to do anything to claim it — it straightforward reduces your statement balance. If you spend less than $100 on Delta in a year, you lose the unused portion. If you spend more, the credit covers the first $100 and you pay the rest out of pocket.

Delta Sky Club lounge access and what it includes

Cardholders get complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on a Delta flight. You can bring up to two companions with you at no charge. The lounge offers snacks, beverages, seating, Wi-Fi, and charging stations — the specific amenities vary by location, but most lounges have a food spread, a bar, and shower facilities at larger hubs.

You also get access to some American Express Centurion Lounges and other partner lounges worldwide, though the list and terms change. Check the Amex website for the current list of lounges you can use. Access is tied to your card — you present it at the lounge entrance, and they verify your membership before letting you in.

Checked baggage waiver and companion benefits

The card waives the first checked bag fee for you and up to two companions traveling on the same reservation on Delta flights. This saves $35 to $40 per person per flight, which adds up quickly if you travel with family or a partner. The waiver applies to the first bag only — a second checked bag still costs the standard fee.

You also receive a companion certificate, typically good for one round-trip domestic flight where your companion pays only taxes and fees (usually $5 to $20 total) while you pay the full ticket price. The certificate comes with restrictions: it usually expires within a year, applies to economy fares only, and cannot be used on certain blackout dates or routes. Terms vary by offer period, so check your welcome materials for the specific rules on your certificate.

SkyMiles earning and how it compares to other cards

You earn Delta SkyMiles on every purchase made with the card. The earning rate depends on the category — you typically earn more miles per dollar on Delta purchases and less on other spending. The exact rates change, so check your card agreement for current earning structure.

SkyMiles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other Delta services. The value of a mile varies depending on the flight and how you book, but miles are generally worth between 0.5 and 1.5 cents each. This means a $100 purchase earning 2 miles per dollar gives you $1 to $3 in potential flight value — not a strong return compared to cash-back cards, but the real value of this card is in the perks, not the points.

Annual fee and whether the benefits cover the cost

The $695 annual fee is substantial, and you need to use the card's benefits to make it worthwhile. The $100 Delta credit covers about 14 percent of the fee. If you fly Delta at least twice a year with a checked bag, the baggage waiver saves you $70 to $80 annually. Lounge access is harder to value — a single Sky Club visit might be worth $30 to $50 in food and comfort, but you have to actually use the lounge to realize that value.

The companion certificate can be worth hundreds of dollars if you use it on a flight you would have bought anyway. But if you do not fly Delta regularly, or if you fly but do not check bags or use lounges, the fee is difficult to justify. Run the math on your own travel patterns before explore.

How this card fits with other American Express Platinum benefits

The Delta Amex Platinum includes some benefits from the standard American Express Platinum card — like access to certain lounges and travel credits — but not all of them. You do not get the $200 airline fee credit that comes with the regular Amex Platinum, for example. Instead, you get the Delta-specific $100 credit. This is a trade-off: you are giving up some flexibility in exchange for Delta-focused perks.

If you are considering this card, compare it to the standard Amex Platinum and to other Delta co-branded cards like the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, which has a lower annual fee but fewer premium perks. The choice depends on how much you value lounge access and whether you fly Delta enough to use the baggage waiver and companion certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the $100 Delta credit on award flights?

No. The credit applies to paid tickets and fees only. Award flights booked with miles do not trigger the credit. You can use it on seat upgrades, baggage fees, or seat selection on award flights, but not on the flight itself.

What happens to my companion certificate if I do not use it before it expires?

The certificate expires and cannot be extended or transferred. Check the expiration date in your welcome materials and plan a trip before that date if you want to use it. Some cardholders book a flight they might not take just to use the certificate before it expires.

Do I get lounge access if I am flying on a partner airline or a connecting flight?

You get Sky Club access only when traveling on a Delta flight. If you are connecting through a Delta hub on a non-Delta airline, you do not get access. American Express lounges may be available at some airports regardless of your airline, so check the Amex website for locations near your departure city.

Can I add an authorized user and do they get their own benefits?

Yes, you can add authorized users, and they receive their own card. Authorized users get lounge access when traveling with you on a Delta flight, but the baggage waiver and companion certificate are tied to the primary cardholder only. Check with American Express for current policies on authorized user benefits.

Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly Delta once a year?

Probably not. A single flight with one checked bag saves you $35 to $40, and the $100 credit covers part of that ticket. You would need to use the lounge or the companion certificate to justify the $695 fee. If you fly Delta fewer than three times per year, consider a lower-fee Delta card instead.