Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum Amex: Are more perks worth the higher annual fee?

Now is a superb time to earn some airline miles so you possibly can guide journeys whereas conserving your money.

Through its partnership with American Express, Delta Air Lines provides one in all the most complete airline bank card portfolios on the market, which incorporates entry-level, mid-tier and premium playing cards (in addition to enterprise card variations of most).

If you determine that now’s certainly the time to use, your subsequent query will possible be: How do you choose which Delta bank card is best for you?

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a superb alternative for anybody trying to earn a welcome bonus with a low out-of-pocket value. However, more frequent Delta flyers ought to do some math to determine whether or not the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card may provide them higher journey advantages for its value.

Let’s do a deep dive and evaluate these two Delta playing cards so you may make your resolution primarily based on our evaluation and your wants.

Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum Amex comparability

As you possibly can see, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card provides more (and higher) advantages, and you’ll earn more SkyMiles per greenback spent with Delta and at motels than with the Gold model of the card.

Of these two playing cards, solely the Delta SkyMiles Platinum entitles you to a waiver on the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) threshold whenever you spend $25,000 in a calendar 12 months.

Note that this MQD waiver solely applies as much as Platinum Medallion standing — waiving the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) requirement for top-tier Diamond Medallion requires spending an exorbitant $250,000 on Delta bank cards in a calendar 12 months.

Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum Amex welcome provide

The Delta Gold Amex earns 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases in your new Card in your first six months of account opening. This bonus is worth roughly $564, primarily based on TPG’s most up-to-date valuations.

With the Delta Platinum Amex, you possibly can earn a welcome bonus of fifty,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your new Card in your first six months of account opening. The bonus miles are worth $705, primarily based on TPG’s most up-to-date valuations.

While you are getting more worth out of the welcome provide on the Delta Platinum Amex, make sure you issue the annual price into your equation. You’re instantly on the hook for a $250 price (see charges and charges) by including the Platinum model to your pockets. Meanwhile, the Delta Gold Amex has a $0 introductory annual price for the first 12 months, then $99 (see charges and charges).

Remember that American Express makes use of a once-per-lifetime coverage for awarding welcome bonuses. As a consequence, for those who’ve held one in all these playing cards earlier than — even for those who canceled it years in the past — you possible will not be eligible for these enhanced provides.

Winner: Delta Platinum Amex.

Related: The final information to bank card utility restrictions

Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum Amex advantages

The main long-term advantages that actually set the Delta Platinum Amex aside from the Gold model are the spending-based MQD waiver and Status Boost, plus its annual companion certificates.

The Delta Platinum Amex companion certificates might be put towards a second seat in Main Cabin (L, U, T, X and V fares, however not Basic Economy “E” fares) on a round-trip itinerary on Delta or Delta Connection inside the 48 contiguous United States (residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands can journey to/from there as properly). You simply pay taxes and charges of no more than $80 for the companion. That can quantity to large financial savings for those who put it towards an in any other case costly ticket.

In addition, the Delta Platinum Amex provides a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck price credit score, which is accessible as soon as each 4 to 4½ years. That profit is considerably offset by the potential to earn a $100 flight credit score with the Delta Gold card after you spend $10,000 or more on eligible purchases every calendar 12 months — although there is no spending requirement related to this perk.

The different key distinction between the Delta Gold SkyMiles Card and the Delta Platinum SkyMiles Card is the potential to get a jumpstart on incomes Delta elite standing. You earn MQMs by hitting spending thresholds in a calendar 12 months with the Delta Platinum card. This is an effective way to spice up your account steadiness and likewise aid you qualify for Medallion standing annually.

Winner: Delta Platinum Amex.

Earning miles on the Delta Gold Amex vs Delta Platinum Amex

The Delta Gold and Delta Platinum have equivalent incomes charges, besides the Platinum earns an extra mile per greenback on Delta purchases (3 miles per greenback versus 2) and likewise earns 3 miles per greenback on purchases made straight with motels (versus the customary 1 mile per greenback with the Delta Gold).

If you spend cheap quantities with Delta and at motels, it is smart to go along with the Platinum.

Winner: Delta Platinum Amex.

Redeeming miles on the Delta Gold Amex vs Delta Platinum Amex

With each the Delta Gold and Delta Platinum, the most simple solution to redeem your miles is by reserving award flights on Delta and its companions. Since Delta makes use of a dynamic award pricing system, although, redemption charges fluctuate extensively. This means you possibly can’t actually purpose for a set quantity of miles to guide a particular award.

That stated, the Delta SkyMiles program nonetheless has some candy spots. For instance, one in all the finest methods to redeem Delta SkyMiles is to guide a SkyMiles deal. Delta continuously has mileage flash gross sales with considerably discounted economic system and even Delta One award flights.

You may redeem Delta SkyMiles to fly on Delta associate airways, together with SkyWorkforce alliance companions like Air France and Korean Air and non-alliance companions.

Furthermore, you possibly can redeem SkyMiles for a lot of issues apart from flights — together with premium drinks in Delta Sky Clubs. Most of those redemptions yield a decrease return than when redeeming for flights.

Winner: Tie.

Should I get the Delta Gold Amex or Delta Platinum Amex?

The Delta Platinum card is the more premium of the playing cards. Its annual price is more than twice that of the Delta Gold card — with more advantages to match. That does not essentially imply it is at all times higher to go along with the Delta Platinum, although.

If you are actually solely fascinated by the short-term advantages of the welcome bonus, it is best to think about making use of for the Delta Gold Amex slightly than the Platinum. Opening the Delta Gold Amex is an effective way to spice up your SkyMiles account with none upfront funding since the annual price is $0 for the first 12 months, then $99 (see charges and charges).

If you possibly can reap the benefits of the further perks and advantages prolonged by the Delta Platinum Amex, nevertheless, it is best to go along with it.

Winner: Delta Platinum Amex.

Bottom line

If you fly Delta typically, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is an effective way to spice up your SkyMiles account whereas having fun with a number of wonderful perks, comparable to the annual companion voucher at every renewal. However, even rare Delta flyers will get worth from the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card because of a stable welcome bonus and primary advantages.

Delta has been criticized for its mileage devaluations over the previous a number of years and for not publishing award charts anymore. However, the airline provides common award flash gross sales and cheap redemptions in home economic system, so there are nonetheless some nice methods to get worth out of the program.

To be taught more, take a look at our full card critiques of the Delta Gold and Platinum.

Official utility hyperlink: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
Official utility hyperlink: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex

For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, click on right here.

For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, click on right here.

Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg, Stella Shon, Chris Dong, Eric Rosen, Christina Ly and Jason Stauffer.