When Talking Delta Skymiles, Platinum Wins

Abigail Gaston
Dec 18, 2018
4 min read

A few years back I took the plunge and entered into a credit card relationship with Delta Skymiles through American Express. I started out with the Gold Delta Skymiles credit card; however, about a year into our relationship, I traded up for the Platinum Delta Skymiles credit card.

The Gold card is a really good credit card. The annual fee is $100 less than the Platinum ($0 in the first year/ $95 each year after) and there are plenty of opportunities to earn extra miles using the Gold Delta Skymiles credit card. About 1 year after receiving my Gold Delta card, I got a letter in the mail stating that I was pre-approved for an upgrade to the Platinum Delta Skymiles credit card. For upgrading, I would be awarded 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. $3,000 is a lot of money; however, I use my travel credit cards for every purchase I make; bills, groceries, gas, and so on, and pay them off each month with the cash I would have used, so I figured I would hit that $3,000 no problem. So, I swapped my Gold Skymiles credit card for a Platinum Skymiles credit card and never looked back.

Why I think it is totally worth paying $195 annually to be a card member:

1. It is my favorite among my many travel credit cards.

2. Multiple qualifications for extra Skymiles earnings, as well as Medalion Qualification Miles (MQM's).

3. Multiple perks attached to the Platinum Delta Skymiles credit card

1. My Favorite Travel Credit Card

The Platinum Delta Skymiles credit card is not just my favorite card to use daily for racking up points; it is my favorite credit card to use while traveling too! Why? For starters, there is no foreign transaction fee associated with this credit card. Meaning, I am not charged when using my Platinum Delta card outside the US.

Also, you receive 2x the points when you use your Platinum Delta credit card to buy travel through Delta. With Delta and Delta partners being my favorite airline to fly, that is an added bonus! Card holders also receive 20% off in-flight purchases.

Finally, there is no guesswork or hoops you have to jump through to understand your miles. Delta never tries to keep you from using your miles. In fact, Delta encourages you to use your miles and gives you plenty of opportunity to do so; keep reading to discover more!

2. Multiple qualifications for extra Skymiles earnings, as well as Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM's).

I know we all know what "Skymiles" are, but for a brief cheap thrill, allow me to sum it up. Skymiles is a fancy way for Delta to refer to credit card points. You can earn Skymiles by doing all of the following and the more of the following you do, the more you earn!

First, become a Delta Skymiles member (it is free)
Book travel through Delta or a Delta partner
Shop or utilize a Delta business partner (Lyft, Airbnb, and many more)
Become a Delta Skymiles credit card holder

Medallion Qualification Miles is Delta's way of rewarding customers in addition to Skymiles. Typically those who reach Medallion status are Delta's most frequent customers. When you reach Medallion status, you receive the following benefits.

Unlimited complimentary upgrades
Front of the line boarding
Waived fees
Other "elite benefits"

How to reach Medallion status:

Earning Medallion status is a combination of flying and spending with Delta and Delta partners each year. However, the amount you must fly and spend with Delta and Delta partners is pretty hefty. I myself have not had the luxury of hitting this mark yet, but many do. I know many business people who travel weekly for work and meet their Medallion Qualifications yearly.

3. Multiple perks attached to

There are 25 benefits associated with this credit card. 6 of my personal favorites are listed below.

Annual companion certificate (my favorite perk) - You will receive one free domestic flight for a friend yearly.
Fly now, earn later - Get an advance on your Skymiles, and pay it back later.
You and your guest check your first bag for free
Priority boarding
Discounted Delta Skyclub access
Pay with Miles - Reduce the cost of your travel by paying with your miles. If you do not have enough to cover the total, pay partially with miles and partially with your Delta Skymiles credit card

The above sounds well and good but you may still be wondering why pay the extra $100 annually to have the Platinum credit card over the Gold credit card. Although there are a few reasons, my main reason is the annual companion certificate.

Sure, you are paying an extra $100, but that $100 is giving you a 'free' companion flight! Jeff and I love this feature. Basically, it means that one of us gets to fly for free! Well, we split it, actually, but it basically is a two-for-one to anywhere in the US! Again, there are other reasons to upgrade to the Platinum Delta Skymiles credit card, but the companion ticket alone is reason enough for me.

To check out more info on Delta Skymiles credit cards by American Express or to apply, click here!