Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card — Full Review [2023]

Great Card If

• You travel primarily on Delta Air Lines
• You want a card that will help you earn Delta elite status
• Your business travel includes domestic and international flights

Don’t Get If

• You don’t travel for business
• You are not near a Delta hub
• You prefer to travel on airlines other than Delta

The Ideal Cardholder

The ideal cardholder of the Delta Platinum Business card flies frequently with Delta, will spend enough to meet the welcome offer, and can take advantage of the card’s extensive benefits, including free checked bags and an annual companion certificate.

Delta Platinum Business Card Benefits

Bonus and Earnings Potential

The welcome offer on the card is typically great. See the card snapshot above for current details, and make sure to spend the required amount in the set amount of time to earn it!

You will earn 3 SkyMiles per $1 for purchases made directly with Delta and 3 SkyMiles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels; 1.5 SkyMiles per $1 on purchases larger than $5,000 (up to 50,000 additional SkyMiles per year), and 1 mile per $1 for everything else.

It’s also nice to know that Delta SkyMiles don’t expire, so you don’t have to keep up with expiration dates.

Earning Medallion Qualification Miles

In addition to earning Delta SkyMiles with the card, you can earn status miles that Delta calls Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).

With Status Boost, you have the opportunity to earn 10,000 MQMs after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to 2x per year, getting you closer to Medallion Status.

Platinum Travel Benefits on Delta

As a Delta Platinum Business cardholder, you can take advantage of several great perks.

For example, you can check your first bag free. Then, stay ahead of the crowd by boarding the plane early with complimentary Main Cabin 1 priority boarding.

Free Domestic Companion Certificate

One of the most valuable benefits of the Delta Platinum Business card is the Companion Certificate.

Receive a Main Cabin round-trip certificate for domestic travel when you renew your card each year. It’s good for any domestic flight for which you hold a reservation.

You will be responsible for up to $80 in government taxes and fees for round-trip domestic flights.

Card Perks for Small Business Owners

Earn as many SkyMiles as possible by getting cards for your employees. Not only are employee cards without an additional fee, but you can also rack up the SkyMiles based on purchases your employees make with them (rates and fees).

Ease some of the financial pressure of being a small business owner by having the flexibility of paying for your purchases over time. You will still accrue interest, but the option to not pay in full at the end of the month may sometimes be worth it.

Plus, each Delta business credit card comes with all the benefits designed to simplify your finances.

Access your online statements and other account information with mobile and tablet apps. The apps are a convenient way to keep up with your credit card purchases when you’re on the go.

Set up spending and fraud alerts to get notified when your bill due date is approaching so you don’t incur late fees. Finally, add tags and notes to purchases with ReceiptMatch.

Additional Perks of the Delta Platinum Business Card

Other perks of using the card are shopping and travel-related benefits.

For example, purchase protection protects items you buy from accidental damage and theft for up to 90 days. You also have the option of extending your manufacturer’s warranty up to a year with an extended warranty. Cell phone protection covers your phone in case of theft or damage, like a cracked screen.

You have enough on your plate while traveling. Why not let American Express take over by providing car rental loss/damage insurance, roadside assistance, baggage insurance, and travel accident insurance?

There’s also a Global Assist hotline you can call if you need help when traveling, whether you’ve lost a passport or need medical help.

Best Way To Redeem Delta SkyMiles

Once you’ve collected SkyMiles with the Delta Platinum Business card, the primary method to redeem them is, of course, by booking flights on Delta Air Lines.

But you can also redeem SkyMiles with many Delta partners and codeshare partners, including members of the SkyTeam alliance.

We estimate the value of these airfare redemptions to be at least 2 cents per mile.

Here are some other redemption methods:

Upgrade Your Seat

Enhance your travel experience by upgrading your seat when booking any eligible U.S. flight. Just apply SkyMiles to the difference in cost between Main Cabin fare and a business class, first class, or Delta One fare.

Already have a flight booked? You can redeem SkyMiles for a Mileage Upgrade Award from the Main Cabin to Delta One, first class, or business class.

Become a Sky Club Member

As a cardholder, you have access to the Delta Sky Club at a discounted rate. But did you know you can get a Sky Club membership with unlimited access by redeeming SkyMiles?

Pay With Miles

Pay With Miles to reduce the cost of your flight. For every 5,000 SkyMiles redeemed, you get $50 in credit toward your airfare.

Unfortunately, SkyMiles are only valued at 1 cent each with this option, but it’s a relatively good way to utilize extra SkyMiles.

Non-Travel Redemptions

Redeem SkyMiles to shop the SkyMiles Marketplace, purchase a magazine subscription, or bid on one of the many once-in-a-lifetime SkyMiles Experiences.

Or, you can donate your SkyMiles to a charitable organization through SkyWish.

Best Way To Maximize Delta SkyMiles

Just like with any airline credit card, the Delta Platinum Business card is most valuable when you use it to book airfare. In this case, you’ll earn 3x SkyMiles for flying Delta.

As a member of the SkyMiles loyalty program, you’ll get an additional 5x SkyMiles for Delta flights, equaling a total of 8x SkyMiles!

With a little creativity, you can accrue SkyMiles in other ways, too. We compiled a list of tips to ensure you get maximum value from your card.

Tip #1: Strive to qualify for the big spend bonuses by putting all of your business expenses on the card.

Even though many of your expenses will be non-Delta purchases, you’ll still earn at least 1 mile per $1 for everything.

Tip #2: Qualify for elite status and you’ll rack up the SkyMiles even faster: Silver (2x), Gold (3x), Platinum (4x).

Plus, Platinum members get to select a Choice Benefit and Diamond members get to select 2 Choice Benefits. One of those options is up to 25,000 bonus SkyMiles!

Reach elite status quicker by getting free cards for your employees. Then make sure they are put to good use so you earn tons of SkyMiles!

Tip #3: Use the SkyMiles shopping program or the Delta Dining program to earn SkyMiles for purchases and meals you would otherwise already be spending money on.

Tip #4: One of the great benefits of having a Delta business credit card is that Delta partners with Membership Rewards.

That means if you have a personal or business Amex credit card in the Membership Rewards program, you can transfer points to your SkyMiles account since Delta is an Amex transfer partner.

The following are just 3 of the cards that earn Membership Rewards points transferable to Delta SkyMiles:

• The Business Platinum® Card from American Express
• American Express® Business Gold Card
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express

Keep in mind that getting value from the card is not just about earning points. Be sure to take advantage of perks including the free baggage credit and annual companion certificate to ensure you receive maximum value!

Alternative Cards to the Delta Platinum Business Card

The biggest drawback to the Delta Platinum Business card applies to those who don’t prefer flying Delta Air Lines.

If this is the case, you may be better off with a cash-back card so you can put money back in your business.

To earn more general travel rewards, some of the best Amex credit cards earn Membership Rewards and include the ability to transfer points to any of the 20 loyalty partners may be more your speed.

Consider the Amex Business Gold card. Although it has an annual fee similar to the Delta Platinum Business card, it has tons of perks and benefits.

Overall, the only real earnings category with the Delta Platinum Business card is purchases through Delta. But this lack of categories may be okay with you, as long as you earn the big spend bonus at the end of the year and like to redeem SkyMiles for travel on Delta.

Bottom Line: There may be better cards for you depending on your situation, or you can combine the Delta Platinum Business card with other cards for maximum benefit.

The information regarding the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.