If you fly Delta a few times a year, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card pitches a tempting deal: bring a companion along once a year, skip checked-bag fees, and earn miles toward your next trip. For loyal Delta flyers, that combination can be worth real money.
This is a premium co-branded airline card with a premium annual fee and a credit bar to match. This review breaks down exactly how the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex works in 2026, what it earns, what it costs, and who it fits. All figures are as of June 2026, verified against American Express and Delta. If your credit is not quite there yet, we will share smarter cards to build toward it first.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Issuer | American Express National Bank |
| Network | American Express, open-loop (usable anywhere Amex is accepted) |
| Annual fee | $350 (no monthly fee) |
| Purchase APR | 19.49% to 28.49% variable |
| Penalty APR | Yes, can apply at least 6 months; agreement caps variable APRs at 29.99% |
| Cash advance | $10 or 5%, separate cash advance APR |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Late / returned fee | Up to $40 |
| Rewards | 3X Delta and hotels; 2X U.S. dining and supermarkets; 1X other |
| Welcome bonus | 80k + 20k miles ($4k then $2k spend, ends 07/15/26) |
| Standout perk | Annual companion certificate |
| Credit score | Typically 690+ (good to excellent) |
| Reports to | Experian, TransUnion, Equifax |
Miles redeem for Delta award flights and travel with no published fixed cent-per-mile value and do not expire while the account is active. There is no published starting limit; reported lines commonly range from about $1,000 to $15,000 or more depending on income and credit.
How the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex works
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is a co-branded airline card issued by American Express National Bank. It is built for frequent Delta flyers who want travel perks and faster mile earning. If you want a lower-fee entry point, the Delta SkyMiles card lineup also includes the Blue and Gold options.
You earn Delta SkyMiles on spending, with bonus miles on Delta and a few everyday categories, then redeem them toward future Delta flights and award travel. Miles are uncapped and do not expire while the account stays open.
Exact miles earning
- 3x miles on Delta purchases and Delta Vacations
- 3x miles on hotels booked directly with the hotel
- 2x miles at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and at U.S. supermarkets
- 1x mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
The card runs on the American Express network, so acceptance abroad and at smaller U.S. merchants can be thinner than Visa or Mastercard. There is no foreign transaction fee on international purchases.
The welcome offer
As of June 2026, new cardmembers can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months, plus an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending another $2,000 in the first 6 months. That is up to 100,000 miles for $6,000 of spend. This offer is scheduled to end on July 15, 2026, and welcome offers change often, so confirm the live terms on the American Express page before applying. American Express also applies once-per-lifetime bonus rules on many cards, so a past Delta Platinum bonus can make you ineligible.
The annual fee and what offsets it
This is a premium card, and the fee reflects that. As of June 2026, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card carries a $350 annual fee, with no monthly or maintenance fee. The question is whether the perks earn it back.
- An annual Main Cabin round-trip Companion Certificate for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American flights, issued after card renewal (your companion mainly covers taxes and fees)
- A first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Up to $120 a year in rideshare statement credits ($10 per month, enrollment required)
- Up to $100 a year in Delta Stays credits for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays
- A statement credit for Global Entry (up to $120) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85) every 4 years
- No foreign transaction fees
The companion certificate alone can offset much or all of the $350 fee if you fly a qualifying round trip each year. Stack the rideshare and Delta Stays credits and an active Delta flyer can clear the fee. If those perks sit unused, the math gets hard.
APR and fees
Like most rewards cards, this is a pay-in-full card. The purchase APR is 19.49% to 28.49% variable, assigned by creditworthiness, and the agreement caps variable APRs at 29.99%. A penalty APR can apply for at least six months if you fall behind. Cash advances carry a $10-or-5% fee and a separate cash advance APR. The late or returned payment fee is up to $40, there is no foreign transaction fee, and there is no monthly maintenance fee. Carrying a balance at these rates erases any miles value quickly, so the card only works if you pay the full statement balance each month. The card reports to all three major bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, so on-time payments help your credit. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
Who should get this card, and who should skip it
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex fits a specific traveler. It tends to make sense if you:
- Fly Delta at least a few times a year
- Will actually use the companion certificate each year
- Have good to excellent credit (typically a score around 690 or higher) and pay your balance in full
It is a weaker fit if you rarely fly Delta, will not use the credits, spend heavily where Amex is not accepted, or are still building credit. Premium travel cards like this one generally expect a strong credit score, so approval can be tough with a low or thin profile, and the application triggers a hard inquiry. Apply only when you are confident.
If you would rather earn flexible cash back
If you like a premium card but do not want your rewards locked into one airline, a flat cash-back option can be simpler. The Robinhood Gold Card earns 3 percent cash back across spending with no foreign transaction fee, which is handy for travelers. It opens through a Robinhood brokerage account and requires a Robinhood account, so it works best if you already use their platform. It does not include airline perks like a companion certificate or free checked bag, so it is not a swap for a dedicated Delta flyer, but the cash back is flexible.
Robinhood
Robinhood
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Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
If your credit is not ready yet
If you cannot qualify for a premium travel card today, the smart move is to build credit first and earn along the way. If approval is the concern, the Aspire Mastercard is an unsecured card that reports to all three bureaus and can serve as a graduation path toward premium cards like the Delta SkyMiles Platinum. Keeping tabs on your score with free monitoring from Creditship.ai helps you know when this card is within reach.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum annual fee?
As of June 2026, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a $350 annual fee and no monthly fee. It includes credits and perks, like the companion certificate, free checked bag, and rideshare and Delta Stays credits, designed to help offset that cost. Whether it pays off depends on how much you fly Delta and use the benefits.
What does the card earn?
It earns 3x miles on Delta purchases and Delta Vacations, 3x on hotels booked direct, 2x at U.S. restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and 1x on everything else, uncapped and non-expiring. Miles redeem toward Delta flights and award travel.
What credit score do I need for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum?
Premium travel cards like this one generally favor good to excellent credit, typically a score around 690 or higher, though American Express reviews your full profile, so approval is never guaranteed. The purchase APR is 19.49% to 28.49% variable and varies by creditworthiness. The card reports to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex worth it?
It can be worth it if you fly Delta regularly and use the companion certificate and credits each year, which can outweigh the $350 fee. If you rarely fly Delta or skip the perks, a no-fee or lower-fee card may serve you better.
Next steps
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is a strong pick for loyal Delta flyers who will use the companion certificate and pay in full. If that is you, review the current terms and apply when your credit is ready. If you are still building, start with a flexible card like the Robinhood Gold Card or an unsecured builder like the Aspire Mastercard, pay on time, and track your progress. Terms and conditions apply.
