Card Snapshot
- Issuer: American Express
- Annual Fee: $350 (See Rates & Fees)
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. (Note: A limited-time offer of 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months was available until July 16, 2025.)
- Rewards Rate:
- 3X miles per dollar on purchases made directly with Delta and eligible hotel purchases.
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping purchases, and single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per year).
- 1X mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- Recommended Credit Score: Good to Excellent (670–850, per FICO Score 8)
- Regular APR: 20.24%–29.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Key Benefits
The card offers a suite of travel and business-oriented perks, particularly valuable for frequent Delta travelers:
- Annual Companion Certificate: Upon card renewal, cardholders receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate for a U.S., Caribbean, or Central American destination. Taxes and fees range from $22 to $250 for up to four flight segments. Valued at approximately $500 by US Credit Card Guide, this benefit can offset the annual fee if used effectively. Restrictions apply, such as excluding Delta Basic experiences.
- Free First Checked Bag: Cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation get a free first checked bag on Delta flights, saving $30 per bag each way (potentially $60 per round-trip per person).
- Priority Boarding: Zone 5 Priority Boarding (Main Cabin 1) ensures earlier access to overhead bin space for cardholders and companions on the same reservation.
- Medallion Qualification Boosts: The card helps cardholders progress toward Delta Medallion elite status with:
- MQD Headstart: $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each Medallion Qualification Year.
- MQD Boost: $1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card, accelerating status eligibility.
- Statement Credits:
- $200 Delta Stays Credit: Up to $200 annually for prepaid hotel or vacation rental bookings through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays.
- $120 Resy Credit: Up to $10 monthly credits for eligible Resy restaurant purchases.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Up to $10 monthly credits for U.S. rideshare services with select providers.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $100 credit every 4.5 years for Global Entry or 4 years for TSA PreCheck application fees.
- Inflight Savings: 20% savings on eligible inflight purchases (excluding Wi-Fi), such as food and beverages.
- Award Travel Discount: Cardholders save 15% on Delta Award Travel bookings made with miles through delta.com or the Fly Delta app (excludes partner-operated flights).
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international business travel, eliminating the typical 3% fee on foreign purchases.
- Cell Phone Protection: Up to $800 per claim (maximum two claims per year, $50 deductible) for damage or theft when the card is used to pay the monthly cell phone bill.
Rewards Structure
- Earning Miles:
- 3X Miles: Purchases directly with Delta (flights, seat upgrades) and eligible hotel bookings.
- 1.5X Miles: Transit (e.g., taxis, trains), U.S. shipping, and single purchases of $5,000 or more (capped at 50,000 additional miles annually).
- 1X Mile: All other eligible purchases.
- Mile Value: Delta SkyMiles are valued at approximately 1.3 cents each by The Points Guy and US Credit Card Guide, making the 70,000-mile welcome offer worth about $910.
Fees and Costs
- Annual Fee: $350, not waived in the first year.
- Regular APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable, depending on creditworthiness.
- Penalty Fees: Up to $40 for late payments or returned payments.
- Balance Transfer/Cash Advance: Not available, as this is a charge card requiring full payment each month.
Pros
- Valuable Welcome Offer: 70,000 miles (or 100,000 in past offers) provide significant value for Delta flights or partner redemptions.
- Offsetting Annual Fee: The companion certificate, statement credits (up to $440 annually), and free checked bags can more than cover the $350 fee for frequent Delta flyers.
- Elite Status Boost: MQD Headstart and Boost make it easier to achieve Delta Medallion status, unlocking perks like upgrades and lounge access.
- Business-Friendly Perks: High earning rates on large purchases and transit/shipping cater to small business expenses.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: $350 is steep for a mid-tier card, especially compared to competitors like the American Express® Business Gold Card ($375 fee, broader rewards).
- No Lounge Access: Unlike the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card ($650 fee), this card lacks Delta Sky Club access, a significant drawback for frequent travelers.
- Limited Rewards Flexibility: Miles are primarily redeemable with Delta and its SkyTeam partners, lacking the versatility of transferable points programs like Amex Membership Rewards.
- High Spending for Welcome Bonus: The $6,000 spend requirement within 6 months may be challenging for smaller businesses.
Who Should Get This Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is ideal for:
- Small business owners who frequently fly Delta and can maximize travel perks like the companion certificate and free checked bags.
- Those aiming for Delta Medallion status, as the MQD Headstart and Boost provide a significant advantage.
- Businesses with high spending in categories like transit, shipping, or large purchases ($5,000+), which earn 1.5X miles.
It’s less suitable for:
- Those who don’t fly Delta regularly, as the card’s value is tied to Delta-specific perks.
- Businesses seeking flexible rewards, as miles are less versatile than points from cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred.
- Travelers prioritizing airport lounge access, who may prefer the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card or a general travel card like the Platinum Card® from American Express.
Comparison to Alternatives
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: $99 annual fee (waived first year), 50,000-mile welcome offer after $2,000 spend in 6 months, but fewer perks (no companion certificate or MQD boosts). Better for infrequent Delta flyers.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: $650 annual fee, includes Delta Sky Club access and higher MQD boosts, but requires significant Delta loyalty to justify the cost.
- American Express® Business Gold Card: $375 annual fee, 4X points on select business categories (up to $150,000 annually), transferable to multiple airline partners, offering greater flexibility but no Delta-specific perks.
Application Considerations
- Amex Rules: American Express limits approvals to two credit cards per 90 days and five total credit cards per person. The once-per-lifetime welcome offer rule applies, though it’s often closer to 5–7 years since last holding the card. A pop-up during the application process will notify applicants if they’re ineligible for the bonus, avoiding a hard credit pull.
- Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate business activity, but Amex accepts sole proprietorships and small ventures (e.g., consulting, freelancing). A good-to-excellent credit score (670+) is recommended.
Bottom Line
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is a strong choice for small business owners loyal to Delta, offering valuable perks like the companion certificate, free checked bags, and statement credits that can offset the $350 annual fee. Its rewards structure suits businesses with significant Delta, hotel, or large-transaction spending, and the MQD boosts enhance elite status potential. However, the lack of lounge access and limited mile flexibility may disappoint those seeking broader travel rewards. For Delta devotees who can maximize its benefits, the card delivers substantial value, but others may find more versatile options elsewhere.
Sources: The Points Guy, Upgraded Points, Forbes, AwardWallet, US Credit Card Guide, Travel on Points, Bankrate, NerdWallet, FinanceBuzz, CNBC, posts on X