Why the Amex Platinum card is great for Delta flyers

Frequent flyers of Delta Air Lines have a bevy of great co-branded cards to choose from – all offering the opportunity to bring in SkyMiles on everyday purchases. With options for both small business and consumer cards and a wide range of annual fees, opting for a Delta credit card can be a good option for loyalists of the airline.

See related: Which Delta SkyMiles card is best for you?

But what if none of these cards align with your spending? Maybe you are hoping to earn points on a wider variety of purchases. Or perhaps you occasionally travel with other airlines and want a card that’s a bit more versatile.

Good news – there is another great option for Delta flyers. The Platinum Card® from American Express is a top-notch rewards card designed with luxury travelers in mind; and it also happens to come benefits that can be particularly attractive to Delta fans.

Read on to learn more about the perks that make the Amex Platinum a great choice for frequent flyers of Delta.

The Platinum Card® from American Express: At a glance

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why get this card? You can’t beat the Amex Platinum’s extensive list of luxury travel perks, including access to exclusive Centurion lounges. Read full review

More things to know: 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel 5 points per dollar on eligible hotels booked with amextravel.com 1 point per dollar on other purchases 60,000 points if you spend $5,000 in first 3 months Extensive airport lounge access $200 airline fee credit for incidental purchases Up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck Up to $200 in Uber credits per year Hilton Honors gold status

Transfer points to SkyMiles

Delta Air Lines is a transfer partner of American Express, meaning you can transfer Membership Rewards points earned on your Platinum card to your Delta SkyMiles balance. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio and are instantly available in your Delta account.

This is great news for Delta flyers for a few reasons. First, it is easy to top off your SkyMiles balance to book the flight you’ve been eyeing – without having to fly to earn miles. Since the Amex Platinum allows you to earn points on all kinds of spending, it is easy to rack up plenty of rewards to allot toward all kinds of purchases.

Second, SkyMiles have a high potential value – depending on how you redeem them. We estimate the value of a SkyMile at 1.61 cents on average.

See related: How much are Delta SkyMiles worth?

In most cases, this is a higher value than you’ll get out of your Membership Rewards points if you don’t transfer. So not only will you be able to apply rewards earned on the Amex Platinum toward Delta redemptions, but you’ll stretch your points farther by doing so.

Delta Sky Club lounge access

The Platinum Card from American Express is well-known for its lounge access, boasting best-in-class membership to thousands of luxurious airport lounges around the world. In addition to Priority Pass Select membership and entrance to plush Centurion℠ Lounges, Amex Platinum cardholders can access Delta Sky Club locations when they are flying with Delta.

See related: Guide to American Express lounges

If you already prefer to fly with Delta, you can gain access to these comfy escapes whenever you travel. There are Sky Club lounges in more than 30 major cities, offering perks like free Wi-Fi, complimentary snacks and beverages, flight assistance and meeting rooms.

See related: A guide to Delta Sky Club membership

Airline fee credit

The Amex Platinum card offers several different credits that can help offset its annual fee, one of which covers up to $200 per year in airline incidentals.

Each year, you can select an airline to qualify for the fee – Delta being one of the many eligible options. Then, you’ll automatically receive statement credits to cover the cost of incidental purchases like baggage fees and in-flight meals.

Since Delta baggage fees start at $30, the airline fee credit can help you cover the cost of three round-trips with some to spare.

Special deals on American Express Travel

American Express and Delta Air Lines have a special partnership, and there is no shortage of great Delta deals on American Express Travel – the issuer’s booking portal. If you prefer not to transfer your Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles, you can still use rewards to book a Delta flight.

See related: Booking a trip with American Express Travel

Often, you can find the lowest available price for a Delta flight without ever leaving the American Express Travel portal. Plus, booking flights this way is the most lucrative way to redeem your Amex Platinum rewards.

Final thoughts

The Platinum Card from American Express has long been a favorite of frequent travelers, thanks to its extensive list of benefits that take the stress out of trips. But there is one kind of traveler that the Platinum card can be especially beneficial for – frequent Delta flyers.

From access to Delta Sky Club lounges to the ability to instantly transfer your points, the Amex Platinum offers plenty of appealing perks for Delta loyalists.