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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is an excellent choice for small-business owners who fly Delta at least a few times each year. Its Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card annual fee can easily be offset by perks like free checked bags and an annual companion certificate.
Review: Is the Delta Platinum Business Card the best credit card for you?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is one of the best airline credit cards for a few reasons:
It comes with an annual companion certificate (potentially worth $1,000+) after each account anniversary. You don’t have to meet any yearly spending requirement to achieve it.It offers great perks to make your commute more comfortable, such as Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits and discounted airport lounge access.It rewards big spenders with bonus points on transactions over $5,000.
Plus, the card comes with a welcome bonus of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. Per Insider’s valuations, that’s worth an average of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. In many cases, you can book economy flights to Europe or the Middle East for less than this bonus is worth — which can save you well over $1,500.
This small-business credit card is strikingly similar to its personal counterpart, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card — but here’s why it’s better.
First, because this is a business card, it won’t appear on your personal credit report. This is helpful for those who intend to apply for other travel credit cards in the future, especially from Chase due to its 5/24 rule.
Second, its bonus is higher than the personal version of the card by 5,000 miles. Insider estimates that this small business card bonus is worth $55 more than the personal card bonus.
If you’re not married to Delta, however, it may be a better idea to open a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points, such as American Express® Business Gold Card or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. The points you earn with these cards transfer instantly to Delta at a 1:1 ratio. These cards often earn points at a faster rate, making them more powerful Delta miles-earning cards than even Delta co-branded cards.
There are myriad reasons you may want the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card beyond the bonus. Here’s everything you need to know about this card.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn rewards from the Amex Delta Platinum Business Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card currently comes with a welcome bonus of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
The card isn’t ideal for everyday spending. It provides three opportunities to achieve bonus miles, and they’re all quite niche:
3 miles per dollar for eligible spending with Delta3 miles per dollar for eligible spending directly with hotels1.5 miles per dollar for all transactions totaling $5,000 or more
You’ll earn 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Insider estimates Delta miles value to be 1.1 cents each, on average. That means you’ll get between 1.1% and 3.3% back for your spending.
If you spend a lot with Delta, 3 miles per dollar is fair enough. Regular spending directly with hotels, however, may warrant opening a hotel credit card. Rarely will your best option for hotel spending be the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. Assess which hotels you tend to use the most — there’s a valuable hotel card for every travel style.
How to use Delta miles
There are a handful of ways to redeem Delta miles, but the one with the most potential value is for travel.
While Insider estimates the average value per mile is 1.1 cents when redeemed for flights, it’s possible to get substantially more than that if you know the best ways to use Delta miles.
Delta miles can be used for much more than just Delta flights. You can use them for flights on its SkyTeam alliance and non-alliance partners, such as:
Air FranceKLMVirgin AtlanticAeromexico
Delta doesn’t price its award seats according to an award chart. Instead, they use “dynamic pricing,” meaning they charge whatever they want, whenever they want. To find the exact award price you’ll pay, you must check your specific route and date.
There are plenty of good deals for those who are flexible. But if you’ve got rigid travel dates and destinations, you may end up paying an exorbitant amount of miles.
However, a benefit you’ll receive as an Amex Delta cardholder is the ability to use miles to offset the cost of a paid ticket. You’ll have access to Delta’s Pay With Miles program, which lets you redeem miles at a rate of 1 cent each to offset the cost of paid airfare. You must redeem in increments of 5,000 miles. For example, if a flight costs $230, you could pay 20,000 Delta miles and $30 to reserve the ticket.
Delta miles don’t expire, so you can collect them without worrying you may forfeit them if travel isn’t on your near-term radar.
This is useful if you don’t have enough miles for an award or want to stretch your miles by combining them with cash.
Here are other less valuable ways to redeem your rewards:
Seat selection and upgradesDelta Sky Club lounge membershipsCertain Delta fees (like ticket changes and award ticket redeposit fees)Gift cardsMagazinesTour vouchersCharity donationsDelta Vacations packagesPremium drinks in Delta Sky Club loungesDelta SkyMiles Experiences
Delta Platinum Business benefits and features
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers benefits that are valuable for more than just small business-centric spending and travel. Here’s why it’s worth paying the annual fee year after year.
Annual Delta companion certificate
After your cardmember anniversary each year, a Delta companion certificate will deposit into your Delta account. This is valid for round-trip flights in economy class anywhere within the contiguous 48 US states.
When you purchase an eligible paid ticket, you can bring a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees. This could save you many hundreds of dollars, depending on the price of the fare.
Important details of the Delta companion certificate:
Valid on Delta, Delta Connection, and Delta Shuttle flightsRoute must be within the 48 contiguous United States; if the address on your SkyMiles account is in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands, you can use the certificate for round-trip travel to the contiguous 48 statesBoth passengers must be booked at the same time and you must use your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to pay for the ticketsOnly certain fare classes (L, U, T, X, V) are eligible, and the companion certificate can’t be combined with other promotions (like web fares, sale fares, and eCoupons)Companion tickets are eligible for Medallion® Complimentary Upgrades (subject to availability) based on the elite status of the higher-tiered member traveling
Free first checked bag
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation will get a free first checked bag on domestic Delta flights. Checked bags cost $30 each way, so you’ll offset more than the annual fee if you and a travel buddy take a few trips each year. If you fly Delta with family, this card is a no-brainer.
Priority boarding
You and up to eight companions on the same reservation will board the plane in the Delta Main Cabin 1 group — even if you’ve purchased a Basic Economy flight. This perk is especially helpful if you value overhead bin space. You’ll be one of the first on the plane, and you’re almost guaranteed a convenient spot for your carry-on.
Main Cabin 1 boards after passengers flying in premium cabins and most elite members, but before other economy class travelers or those flying in basic economy.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are trusted traveler programs that can expedite your airport security experience.
By using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to pay your application fee, you’ll be reimbursed up to $100 for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years.
Delta Status Boost
If Delta elite status is important to you, this card can be helpful in achieving it.
After spending $25,000+ on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you’ll get 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs). You can earn this bonus twice per calendar year.
Discounted Delta Sky Club access
Cardmembers can enter Delta Sky Club airport lounges at a reduced rate of $39 per person. Note you must use your card to pay and you must be flying Delta or a Delta partner airline on the day of check-in.
You can also bring either immediate family or two guests for the same price.
20% back on inflight purchases
Use your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to pay for inflight purchases like food and drinks, or audio headsets on Delta flights, you’ll receive 20% back in the form of a statement credit.
Trip delay insurance
If you’ve paid for eligible round-trip travel with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and your trip is delayed 12+ hours, you could be reimbursed for up to $300 in reasonable expenses, such as:
MealsLodgingToiletriesMedication
You’re eligible to be reimbursed up to two times per rolling 12-month period.
Purchase protection
Paying for an eligible item with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Cardgets you automatic coverage for loss or damage up to 90 days from the date of purchase. You’ll receive up to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year.
Extended warranty
Use your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to pay for eligible items and you’ll also receive extended warranty protection, up to one additional year added to eligible US manufacturer’s warranties of five years or less.
Baggage insurance
If you use your card for a covered trip, you can be covered for loss or damage to your bags, up to $500 per person for checked bags, and $1,250 per person for carry-on bags. Be sure to check exclusions of high-risk items. Also, note that some states have different limits.
Global Assist Hotline
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers access to Amex’s Global Assist Hotline, which can help you rectify things like a lost passport during travel, medical referrals, and translation services. It’s a free service, though you’ll have to pay for any third-party costs.
Amex Offers
All American Express cards come with targeted statement credits, discounts, or bonus points for specific purchases. These are called Amex Offers**, and they’re one of the best card perks for saving money you’d spend anyway.
Fees and costs
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card comes with a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card annual fee. You’ll also be subject to fees for late payments, returned payments, and cash advances.
Fortunately, the card waives foreign transaction fees, so it’s a great companion when traveling abroad.
Comparison: Delta American Express Platinum Business Card vs other Delta business cards
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Rewards rate
3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
3x miles on eligible purchases made directly with hotels
1.5x miles on single transactions totaling $5,000+ (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year)
1x miles on all other eligible purchases
3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
1.5x miles per dollar after you spend $150,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year (through the remainder of the calendar year)
1x miles on all other eligible purchases
2x miles on eligible Delta purchases
2x miles on eligible US purchases for advertising in select media and on eligible US shipping purchases
2x miles at restaurants
1x miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus offer
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Travel benefits
Annual Delta companion certificate
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
Discounted Delta Sky Club access
Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 on purchases in a calendar year (up to two times)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Annual Delta companion certificate, valid for up to first class
Access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta
Access to Amex Centurion Lounges when paying for your airfare with your card and flying Delta
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $30,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year (up to 4 times per year)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
$100 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Review
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card review
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card review
American Express Delta Platinum Business Card vs other small-business airline credit cards
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
United℠ Business Card
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
United℠ Business Card CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Rewards rate
3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
3x miles on eligible purchases made directly with hotels
1.5x miles on single transactions totaling $5,000+ (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year)
1x miles on all other eligible purchases
2x miles on United purchases
2x miles on dining, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit and commuting
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
2x miles on American Airlines purchases
2x miles at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Welcome bonus offer
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
United℠ Business Card
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Travel benefits
Annual Delta companion certificate
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
Discounted Delta Sky Club access
Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 on purchases in a calendar year (up to two times)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Two United Club one-time passes per anniversary year
Free first checked bag on United flights*
Priority boarding on United flights
25% back on United inflight purchases
$100 United credit after making seven or more United flight purchases of $100 or more each card anniversary year
5,000 bonus miles each card anniversary when you have the United Business Card and a personal United credit card
500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) for every $12,000 you spend on purchases (up to two times per calendar year)
Expanded access to United award flights
Free first checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries
Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
25% back on American Airlines inflight purchases
Domestic companion certificate when you spend $30,000 on purchases in a calendar year and renew your card
Review
Chase United Business Card review
CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card review
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Who is eligible for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card?
This is a small-business credit card. If you don’t have a small business, you aren’t eligible to apply. However, you don’t have to run an enterprise, either. If you drive for Uber or DoorDash, if you babysit, or if you freelance, you’ve got a small business.
If you’ve ever had the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, you won’t be eligible to earn the bonus again because of Amex’s one bonus, per card, per lifetime rule across all of its products.
Each Delta credit card is considered a different product, however. If you already have or had other Delta cards, like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, or even the personal Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you could still qualify for this card.
What credit score do you need for the Amex Delta Platinum Business Card?
We generally advise anyone with a credit score below 700 to stay away from travel credit cards until they foster their credit score. However, it’s possible to be approved for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card if you have anywhere from a good to excellent credit score. FICO identifies this range as low as 670.
Read our guides to improving your credit score and how using credit cards can help boost your score.
If you cancel the Delta Platinum Business card, will you lose your miles?
When you earn Delta miles with your credit card, your rewards will automatically deposit into your Delta account. In other words, they won’t stay on your credit card.
If you’ve given this card a try for a year or two and decided its benefits aren’t worth the annual fee for your situation, you won’t lose your miles if you cancel.
Note that canceling a card before you’ve had it for at least one year may result in Amex taking back the welcome bonus offer, so it’s not a good idea to close a card until your first 12 months is up.
Do you need to pay for your ticket with the Delta Platinum Business card to get a free checked bag?
As long as you hold a Delta credit card and your number is attached to the reservation you do not need to pay with your card.
Bear in mind only the primary cardholder (not authorized users) qualifies for these perks. That said, if authorized users are traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardholder, they’ll also receive a free checked bag and priority boarding. These benefits extend to up to eight companions on the same reservation.
Is the Platinum or Gold Delta business card better?
The best Delta card for you depends on how often you fly Delta and if you can use all the perks that come with each card. If you’re a frequent traveler and can use benefits like an annual Delta companion certificate and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, it could be worth paying the higher annual fee on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
For occasional Delta flyers, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is usually the best deal. Here’s our comparison of the personal Delta Gold and Platinum to help you get an idea of which is right for you.
What is the Delta Companion Certificate worth?
If you will pay for at least one domestic round-trip Delta flight for you and a travel buddy each year, the Companion Certificate is almost certainly able to offset the card’s annual fee each year. It’s especially valuable if you fly expensive routes or tend to book pricey last-minute tickets.
For just the cost of taxes and fees, your companion can fly along with you, even if their ticket would normally cost hundreds (or thousands) of dollars.