Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card worth it? Here’s how to decide

For those Delta flying business owners who don’t fly often enough to earn status but could use some benefits like saving on checked bags, a few statement credits and even a companion certificate good for economy class flights, The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers solid benefits so long as they’re not too in love with the idea of accessing lounges, as this card won’t help with that.

For whom is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card worth It?

Applying for a credit card is no small decision, and it’s always a best practice to look at its perks to see if you would be able to get something out of it. These are some of the broad categories of people who can benefit from getting this card.

Flyers with checked luggage

People who regularly check luggage when they fly should consider whether this credit card can help them save some money on their travels. The card comes with a first checked bag fee waiver for themselves and up to eight other passengers in the same reservation. At $60 per round-trip flight, it’s not hard to see how the savings quickly add up. It would only take 6 round trips a year traveling solo to more than make up the cost of the annual fee in checked bag charges.

Businesses with purchases over $5,000

Business owners who tend to make purchases of over $5,000 regularly will see that their Delta SkyMiles accounts balances grow faster, as those purchases earn 1.5X miles instead of the normal 1X, helping them get closer to their next award trip redemption.

Delta travelers without status

Flyers who find themselves inside Delta flights regularly but not often enough to earn status will find this card helpful thanks to some of the Delta specific perks as well as savings. Checking a bag won’t be a problem as the card will waive that fee, and they may enjoy priority boarding and potentially being upgraded – all of which are normally reserved to those who hold status with the airline.

For whom is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card not worth it?

The potential earnings from this credit card aren’t truly exciting, so you would have to look past that to determine whether you can make this card work for you. These are a few groups of people who will likely struggle to get much out of this card.

Travelers who wants lounge access

For those who would like to enjoy some peace and quiet before embarking on their next trip, or handle a few business calls in a slightly more private setting or just get a few snacks and drinks at the lounge, this card will unfortunately not help with any of that, as the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business—unlike the non co-branded Business Platinum Card from American Express version— confers no access to lounges whatsoever.

Free agents

Those who see themselves as free agents and have no loyalty to a specific airline beyond their price will see almost no value in choosing a Delta branded credit card with an annual fee. Most of the benefits this card extends its cardholders are Delta specific, from checked baggage fee waivers, to priority boarding and complimentary upgrades and even the Delta Stays credit and Medallion qualification dollars boost and head start. If none of that is appealing, you’ll probably be better served by a credit card that earns transferable points and doesn’t corner you into flying with the same airline every time.

Solo flyers

One of the best and most valuable benefits of this card beyond the savings from checked bags is the companion certificate it comes with. It allows you to get a ticket to fly in the main cabin for domestic, Caribbean or Central American destinations round trip each year after renewal of your card by just paying no more than $80 for domestic itineraries and $250 for international ones. 

While this is a great benefit, potentially helping you save hundreds of dollars on the companion ticket, you’re only able to realize its value if you have a companion in mind that you’d like to use it with.

Additionally, since this card’s checked bag fee waiver applies to up to nine people on the same reservation, its ability to save you money grows higher the more people you tend to travel with.

How to Maximize Rewards with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

To get you closer to enjoying your hard earned miles, cardholders getting this card earns a welcome bonus of 65,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership.

Another good way to maximize your points is making sure you’re using your card for every purchase, but especially for those bonus categories, as they’ll help you earn more Delta SkyMiles faster. Every dollar you spend directly with Delta or hotels earns 3X, every dollar up to $100,000 in combined purchases per year on transit (including rideshares and taxi cabs), U.S. shipping providers and single eligible purchases of over $5,000 dollars earn 1.5X, helping you inch closer to those redemptions.

The takeaway

Delta Air Lines flyers who want to enjoy middle-of-the-road benefits and some savings on their way to earning status can find this card to be an interesting value proposition. Perks like your first checked bag for free, a companion certificate, and a few statement credits help sweeten the deal. But, if you find the statement credits hard to take advantage of or don’t want to be cornered into flying Delta all the time, this card may not be right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn status with spend on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card?

You will not automatically be granted status with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card, but it does help you get part of the way by giving you $2,500 Medallion qualification dollars per year as a head start, as well as helping you earn $1 Medallion qualification dollar for every $20 in purchases you spend with this credit card.

Can I transfer Delta SkyMiles to other airlines’ loyalty programs?

Just like mileage from most airline loyalty programs, Delta SkyMiles cannot be transferred to other airlines, but the good news is that you can actually use your SkyMiles to book award flights on a whole host of SkyTeam partners to get just about anywhere in the world. 

Does the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card come with lounge access?

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card does not offer lounge access privileges. If you would like access to either the Delta Sky Club, the Centurion Lounges or Priority Pass network, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card will be the only Delta credit card that will get you into a lounge.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying. 

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.