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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Review
February 6, 2025
Are you a business owner who frequently flies Delta? The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card might be the perfect addition to your wallet. This comprehensive review breaks down everything you need to know about this premium business travel card, from its generous welcome bonus to exclusive Delta perks and benefits.
What Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is a co-branded business credit card designed for business owners who regularly fly Delta Air Lines. Issued by American Express, this card offers a robust rewards program focusing on Delta purchases and business spending categories.
The card comes with premium travel benefits like an annual companion certificate, free checked bags, and priority boarding. It also provides a pathway to elite Medallion status through spending, making it valuable for Delta loyal flyers who want to enhance their travel experience while earning rewards on their business expenses.
With an annual fee of $250, this card sits in the mid-tier premium category, offering more benefits than basic airline cards but without the higher annual fee of ultra-premium options.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Pros & Cons
Before diving deeper into the card's features, let's examine its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Annual Companion Certificate: Receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal
- First Checked Bag Free: Save up to $60 per round-trip flight for you and up to eight companions on your reservation
- Priority Boarding: Enjoy Main Cabin 1 priority boarding on Delta flights
- Medallion Status Boost: Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 in a calendar year, up to twice per year
- Path to MQD Waiver: Spend $25,000 in a calendar year to waive the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) requirement for Silver, Gold, and Platinum status
- Delta Sky Club Access: Discounted access to Delta Sky Club lounges at $39 per person
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Receive up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4 years
- In-flight Discount: 20% savings on in-flight purchases
- Baggage Insurance Plan: Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage when traveling on a common carrier vehicle ticket
- Trip Delay Insurance: Reimbursement for unexpected expenses when your trip is delayed
Cons:
- $250 Annual Fee: Not waived the first year
- Limited Lounge Access: No complimentary Delta Sky Club access, unlike higher-tier Delta cards
- Fewer Luxury Benefits: Lacks some premium perks found on higher-end travel cards
- Restrictive Companion Certificate: Only valid for domestic flights in the Main Cabin
- Limited Redemption Value: SkyMiles can have variable redemption values as Delta doesn't publish award charts
Who Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card For?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is ideal for:
- Business owners who regularly fly Delta: If your business travel frequently involves Delta flights, this card's airline-specific perks can significantly enhance your travel experience.
- Delta loyal customers seeking elite status: The card provides an accelerated path to Medallion status through spending, which is valuable for those who want elite benefits but may not fly enough to qualify through miles alone.
- Small to medium businesses with moderate travel needs: The card balances travel benefits with business rewards, making it suitable for companies with regular but not excessive travel requirements.
- Business travelers who check bags: The free checked bag benefit can save frequent travelers hundreds of dollars annually.
- Companies that can maximize the companion certificate: Businesses that can make use of the annual companion certificate will effectively offset much of the annual fee.
This card is less suitable for:
- Businesses that rarely fly Delta
- Companies seeking the highest possible cash back rates
- Organizations needing premium lounge access included with their card
- Businesses primarily flying internationally (though the card does have some international benefits)
Comparing the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card with Other Credit Cards
When considering the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the business credit card category:
Capital One Venture X Business (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 spent
- Standout feature: Cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per calendar year
- Standout feature: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, access is limited to eligible Card Members
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card excels in offering a robust rewards program focusing on Delta purchases and business spending categories
- Capital One Venture X Business offers high travel rewards
- Ink Business Preferred® provides strong points on business-related categories
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features premium travel perks
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Consider Using Kudos
While the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers excellent benefits for Delta flyers, savvy business owners can maximize their credit card rewards even further by using Kudos. This free AI-powered browser extension works alongside your existing credit cards to ensure you're always getting the most value.
When shopping online for business expenses, Kudos can:
- Automatically recommend which of your business credit cards will earn the most rewards for each purchase
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- Work with over 15,000 stores, complementing your Delta card's earning potential
- Suggest new credit cards that align with your business spending patterns
If you're looking to get more out of your business credit cards, including your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card provides solid value for business owners who frequently fly Delta. The annual companion certificate, free checked bags, and path to elite status make the $250 annual fee worthwhile for loyal Delta customers.
Where this card truly shines is its balance of business-focused rewards and travel benefits. The bonus categories align well with common business expenses while the Delta-specific perks enhance the travel experience. The Medallion Qualification Miles boost and MQD waiver provide significant value for those pursuing elite status.
However, businesses that aren't loyal to Delta or don't fly frequently would likely find better value in a more general travel business card. The annual fee is substantial, so it's important to ensure you can maximize the card's benefits.
Overall, we rate the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card 4.5/5 stars for Delta-loyal business travelers. It hits the sweet spot of valuable benefits without the premium price tag of higher-tier options.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card FAQ
What is the welcome bonus for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card?
Welcome bonuses change periodically, but typically the card offers a substantial number of bonus miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of account opening. Check the current offer on the American Express website.
How does the annual companion certificate work?
After your first card renewal, you'll receive a companion certificate good for one round-trip domestic Main Cabin ticket. When you purchase an eligible fare, your companion can fly for just the cost of taxes and fees (up to $80). The certificate is issued each year upon renewal of your card.
Does the card offer Delta Sky Club access?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers discounted access to Delta Sky Club lounges at $39 per person when flying on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
How can I earn Medallion status with this card?
You can earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to twice per year. Additionally, you can waive the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) requirement for Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion status by spending $25,000 in a calendar year.
What are the bonus categories for earning miles?
The card earns:
- 3X miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles on eligible hotel bookings
- 1.5X miles on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year)
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
Does the card offer any statement credits?
Yes, the card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit (up to $100) every 4 years. It also offers a $100 Delta Stays credit annually for eligible lodging purchases with Delta.
Can I use SkyMiles for non-Delta purchases?
While SkyMiles are primarily designed for award travel on Delta and partner flights, they can also be used for seat upgrades, Delta Vacations, gift miles, and merchandise through the SkyMiles Marketplace. However, flight redemptions typically offer the best value.
Does the card have foreign transaction fees?
No, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international business travel.
What travel insurance benefits come with the card?
The card includes baggage insurance plan and trip delay insurance. These protections can reimburse you for eligible expenses when your bags are lost or your trip is delayed.
Is there a credit limit on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card?
As a business card from American Express, it may come with a pre-set spending limit that adjusts based on factors like your payment history, credit record, and spending patterns. Some businesses may qualify for no pre-set spending limit, though this is not the same as unlimited spending.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
