In addition to earning rewards for purchases you make, there are other Delta Platinum Amex benefits for travelers. Many of these are exclusive benefits for Delta customers that you won’t find on general rewards cards, while a select few are widely available on other cards.
You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the offerings below before considering applying for this card because a handful of them require you to spend more in order to make the most of the offering.
Delta flight benefits
When you travel Delta, you can get your first checked bag free and receive Main Cabin 1 priority boarding. You can also earn 20 percent back on purchases like beverages, food and headsets made during your flight when you use your card. This can help reduce the amount you spend on those expenses, which are often costly.
Domestic companion ticket
Every year upon renewal of your card, you'll be eligible to receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion ticket (not valid for flights outside of the continental United States; applicable fees apply), which might be useful if you wish to bring a friend or family member with you on an excursion. This is a solid bonus for card membership and, depending on the flight, could help you save a few hundred dollars.
Enhanced airport experience
Through application fee credits, you can get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100 in statement credit for Global Entry application fees if you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider or TSA PreCheck worth up to $85 in value at no extra cost. If approved for Global Entry, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost). A Delta flight also gives you access to the Delta Sky Club for $50 per person for you and up to two guests each visit, although Delta is discontinuing this perk on Jan. 1, 2024. These benefits can make your airport experience go smoothly, without having to wait in lengthy queues or with crowds at the gate.
If you're a fan of the Delta Sky Club, though, be sure to take advantage of the access benefit while you can since you only have through Dec. 31, 2023 to do so. It's a small blessing, but the feature can at least get you through most of the holiday travel period.
Medallion status boost
Status Boost® allows you to earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) per year. You can earn 10,000 MQMs twice per year if you spend $25,000 on your card in a calendar year, which would get you closer to your next Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different from rewards you earn toward flights. This benefit requires quite a bit of spending to maximize, but travel enthusiasts will admire the status boost which comes with a healthy bunch of perks of its own.
Unfortunately, Delta is also axing this benefit as well, giving you until Dec. 31, 2023, to take advantage of Status Boost. The airline announced it will be creating a new way to earn Medallion Status with this card, but this feature's expiration date probably won't affect the MQMs you earn with it from your 2023 spending since the Status Boost spending deadline is the end of the calendar year anyway.
Travel insurance and protections
Trip delay insurance is a great perk on any travel rewards credit card. It provides up to $300 in reimbursement if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours under a covered reason (maximum two claims per 12-consecutive month period). The car rental damage and loss insurance covers you for damage or theft when you reserve and pay for a rental with the card. If your bag is lost or damaged while traveling, the baggage insurance will reimburse you up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, per covered trip. Also, the 24/7 Delta Platinum global assist phone hotline is available to help you with any travel issues that may arise while abroad. These coverages bring a ton of value to this card. Not just monetary value in the event you use them, but travel can be an exhaustive endeavor labored with events that are entirely out of your control. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card and its rich portfolio of perks takes some of the stress away by potentially covering you for some of those events.
Purchase benefits
Get protection on covered purchases for up to 90 days from the purchase date up to $1,000 per item and up to $50,000 per year. You’ll only be covered by the purchase amount up to the $1,000 limit in a covered event as a result of damage or theft. You’ll also receive an extended warranty of 1 year for warranties of five years or less on covered purchases. While you don't necessarily ever want to need these coverages, they bring a lot of peace of mind to using your card.
Entertainment benefits
Get access to exclusive ticket presales and cardmember-only events like concerts, sporting events and Broadway shows through American Express Experiences.
Amex Offers
Eligible cardholders can benefit from exclusive American Express offers to earn additional statement credits for purchases with select merchants. Enrollment for each offer is required and can be done online or in the Amex app. Some offers include a percentage of your purchase back as a statement credit or a set dollar value back for purchasing a certain amount with the retailer using your Amex card.