Overview
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card balances useful Delta-specific perks with a path toward elite status — without offering Delta Sky Club lounge access. With a $350 annual fee, the card targets small-business owners who fly Delta several times per year and can use airline benefits and statement credits to offset the cost.
Who this card is best for
– Frequent Delta business travelers who check bags, redeem SkyMiles for flights and want an easier route to Medallion status.
– Not ideal for those who want lounge access, prefer flexible transferable points, or rarely fly Delta.
Key details
– Annual fee: $350
– Rewards currency: Delta SkyMiles
– New-card offer (current): 100,000 bonus miles after $8,000 in purchases in the first six months (offer end date noted by issuer)
– Card rating (editor’s view): 3.5 / 5 — solid mid-tier value for loyal Delta flyers
Top benefits
– Annual companion certificate: After each card renewal you receive a round-trip Main Cabin companion certificate usable to destinations within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. This perk can cover much of the annual fee when used.
– Checked bags and boarding: First checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide, second checked bag free on domestic Delta flights; benefit extends to up to eight travelers on the same reservation. Zone 5 priority boarding helps secure overhead bin space.
– Medallion-qualifying dollars (MQDs): 2,500 MQDs automatically each calendar year, plus 1 MQD per $20 spent on the card — a meaningful head start toward elite status for businesses with sizable card spend.
– TakeOff 15: 15% off the miles required for Delta-operated award flights when booked and paid with the card, saving miles on many award bookings.
– Statement credits: Up to $200 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings; up to $120 per year for Resy (max $10 monthly); and up to $120 per year for select U.S. ride-hailing providers (max $10 monthly). Enrollment may be required for some credits.
– Other perks: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit (subject to timing limits), Hertz Five Star status enrollment, 20% back on eligible Delta inflight purchases, complimentary upgrades behind Medallion members when available, no foreign transaction fees.
Earning rates
– 3 miles per $1 on eligible Delta purchases and directly with hotels worldwide
– 1.5 miles per $1 on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and single purchases of $5,000+ (combined cap $100,000 per year at 1.5x; then 1x)
– 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Reward use
– Best redeemed for Delta flights and SkyTeam or partner airline travel. Delta uses dynamic award pricing, so values vary, but TakeOff 15 and SkyMiles Deals often provide strong opportunities to save miles.
– Partner redemptions (Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, WestJet, etc.) can occasionally deliver superior value.
– Generally avoid using SkyMiles for merchandise, gift cards or non-flight redemptions; flight redemptions usually offer the best cents-per-mile value.
Pros
– Valuable companion certificate that can offset the fee
– Free checked bags for cardholder and companions on the same reservation
– Easier path to Medallion status via MQD credit and spending-based MQDs
– TakeOff 15 award discounts and multiple statement credits
– No foreign transaction fees
Cons
– $350 annual fee
– No Delta Sky Club lounge access
– SkyMiles are not transferable to other flexible currencies; less flexibility than transferable-points cards
– Base earning on everyday purchases is modest (1x)
How this compares to other Delta business cards
– Delta Gold Business Amex (lower fee, typically $150): Offers basic Delta perks like a free first checked bag, priority boarding and TakeOff 15 discounts. It lacks the annual companion certificate, MQD head start and some of the Platinum’s statement credits. Better for occasional Delta flyers.
– Delta Reserve Business Amex (higher fee, typically $650): Includes Delta Sky Club access (with restrictions) and more premium perks. Worth considering if lounge access and a more premium experience justify the higher fee.
– Amex Business Gold or Business Platinum: If you want flexible rewards that transfer to Delta and other partners, those Amex business cards provide broader reward utility and, in the case of the Business Platinum, wider lounge access — at higher fees.
Potential drawbacks
– If you don’t fly Delta often, the card will be hard to justify annually.
– The absence of lounge access is a major factor for travelers who value airport lounges.
– If you prefer high return on everyday spend across many categories, a flexible-rewards business card may be a better primary card.
When to apply
– Consider applying if you can meet the welcome-offer spending requirement and plan to use the companion certificate, free checked bags and statement credits. Be mindful of issuer welcome-offer rules (for example, Amex’s once-per-lifetime restrictions) and compare the current offer to past bonuses.
Bottom line
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Amex is a strong mid-tier option for business owners loyal to Delta who check bags, redeem miles for flights and want an easier route to Medallion status. The annual companion certificate plus checked-bag benefits and statement credits often make the $350 fee worthwhile for frequent Delta flyers. If you need lounge access, broader reward flexibility, or you fly Delta only occasionally, another card may be a better fit.
