Amex Platinum vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express (See Rates & Fees).

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• Cardmembers receive an annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip flight, a valuable perk for those who travel with a partner. Terms Apply.
• Enjoy a more seamless travel experience with benefits like a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights. Terms Apply.
• Save on award travel with a discount on flights booked with miles and get statement credits for everyday purchases like dining and rideshares. Terms Apply.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• A strong Welcome Offer for new cardmembers and an accelerated earning rate on travel, dining, and U.S. supermarket purchases. Terms Apply.
• An annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip flight, plus a free first checked bag and priority boarding to make your travel smoother. Terms Apply.
• Useful statement credits for rideshares and dining, along with travel protections like trip delay and baggage insurance. Terms Apply.

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Cons

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• The card has a significant annual fee, and its benefits are primarily geared toward loyal Delta flyers. Terms Apply.
• It lacks complimentary lounge access, a common perk on other premium travel cards. Terms Apply.
• Key perks like the companion certificate have notable restrictions, and some statement credits are issued in monthly increments that can be difficult to fully utilize. Terms Apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs American Express Platinum Card®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Amex Platinum or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, it's crucial to understand the distinct traveler each card is designed to serve. Both are premium travel cards, but they cater to very different priorities and loyalties.

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• The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card is best for frequent travelers who prioritize luxury perks and are not loyal to a single airline. It offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access and premium benefits across a wide range of hotel partners.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is tailored for loyal Delta Air Lines flyers seeking to enhance their travel experience and earn status with the airline. Its benefits are focused on providing value specifically when flying with Delta.

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Redemption

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The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card earns Membership Rewards points, which offer exceptional flexibility by allowing transfers to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. Redemptions are not tied to a single brand, giving cardholders broad choices for booking travel or even covering charges with statement credits.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card earns Delta SkyMiles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta and its SkyTeam airline partners. The redemption path is more straightforward, focusing on providing value within the Delta ecosystem through award flights and upgrades.

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Travel Perks

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• The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card provides a travel ecosystem built around luxury and flexibility. Cardholders receive extensive airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. The card also offers elite status with major hotel and car rental loyalty programs, enhancing the travel experience. It has no foreign transaction fees, and travel can be booked through the flexible American Express Travel portal. Terms apply.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card’s ecosystem is deeply integrated with Delta Air Lines. Key perks include an annual Companion Certificate upon renewal, a first checked bag free on Delta flights, and Priority Boarding. It offers a path to earning Medallion Status with Delta and provides access to the Delta Sky Club lounge network when flying with the airline. This card also has no foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending habits.

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• Personalized recommendations: Kudos analyzes your actual transaction history to match you with the card that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
• Test drive feature: You can simulate your potential earnings with any card before applying. This feature provides an annual rewards projection and a net value calculation (rewards minus annual fees) without a hard credit pull.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report, not just a generic guess.
• Valuable rewards and guarantees: Members can unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward and are protected by a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and can maximize a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder is someone who regularly takes advantage of extensive airport lounge access, elite hotel status, and various statement credits for dining, entertainment, and retail. Ultimately, it's the ideal choice for individuals whose spending habits naturally align with the card's travel and lifestyle perks, allowing them to easily offset the annual fee through tangible value.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is tailor-made for dedicated Delta flyers who travel several times a year. These travelers, often couples or families, can maximize value through key perks like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags for up to eight companions. It's also a strong choice for status seekers looking to accelerate their path to Medallion status and moderate-to-heavy spenders with good-to-excellent credit who can take full advantage of its reward categories.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Amex Platinum vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect travel companion for you, don't worry. There are other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending. Ensure you can meet the minimum spend for the Welcome Offer without overspending.
• Review Amex's application rules. You may not be eligible for a Welcome Offer if you have or have had the card before.

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Application Strategy

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• Enroll in your benefits. Many perks, especially with American Express, require manual activation.
• Match the card to your lifestyle. Ensure you'll use enough of the credits and perks to make it worthwhile.
• Look for an elevated Welcome Offer. These offers can change, so it pays to be patient for the best deal.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better for someone who isn't loyal to one airline?

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The American Express® Platinum Card offers more flexibility for travelers who fly with various airlines, as its benefits and rewards are not tied to a single carrier. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is tailored specifically for those who frequently fly with Delta.

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What is the difference between the types of rewards earned?

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The American Express Platinum card earns Membership Rewards® points, which can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card earns Delta SkyMiles, which are best used for flights with Delta and its partner airlines.

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How does airport lounge access differ between the two cards?

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Both cards offer lounge access, but to different networks. The American Express Platinum card provides entry to the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card focuses on providing access to Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying with the airline. Terms apply.

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