Is the Delta Platinum Card Worth an Extra 10,000 Points?

UPDATE: This offer has expired.

Maybe!! Right now there is a limited time sign up bonus for the four co-branded Delta credit cards which is ending on July 5, 2017. While all four have a higher than normal offer (and a best ever offer), the Platinum version of the card is offering 10,000 more miles then the Gold version of the card. And while the Platinum card also comes with extra benefits, it does come with a significantly higher fee.

Key Links:

Personal:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Earn 60,000 miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 4 months. You can also earn a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $0 introductory offer annual fee, then $95. *Terms Apply.
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 4 months. Earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $195 annual fee. *Terms Apply.

Business:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 4 months. Additionally, earn a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 4 months. Earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $195 annual fee.

So is the Platinum card giving out 10,000 more miles and extra benefits worth the higher annual fee?

As you can see from the offer, the two Gold cards are giving out 60,000 bonus miles, while the two Platinum cards are giving out 70,000 bonus miles – with both of them you must meet the minimum spend requirement. I currently value Delta miles somewhere between 1-1.5 cents per mile. So the 10,000 extra miles is worth between $100-$150. The annual fee for the Gold card is waived for the first year, then $95 every year thereafter, where the annual fee for the Platinum card is $195 (and not waived the first year). But, both cards give a statement credit after making a Delta purchase within the first 4 months on the card – the Platinum card comes with a $100 statement credit, while the Gold card comes with a $50 statement credit. *Terms Apply. 

So if you are looking at the annual fee of just the first year, assuming you’ll use the statement credit benefit, you can think of the Platinum card costing you $95 ($195 annual fee minus $100 statement credit) and the Gold card giving you a $50 profit ($0 annual fee minus $50 statement credit). Between the two cards that is a $145 spread which is right in the ballpark of what your 10,000 bonus miles is worth. Ultimately, if you just take into consideration the annual fee, the bonus miles, and the statement credit, you are pretty much breaking even – for the first year that is! Every year thereafter the Platinum card will cost you $100 more.

So then why would you get the Platinum card?

Even though you might break even on the sign up bonus, the Platinum cards still come with some extra benefits. If you think you’ll take advantage of them, then the $100 difference on an annual basis can definitely be worth it.

Extra MQMs

A huge benefit is that the Platinum card will give you 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you meet the minimum spend requirement. This can be huge if you think you might be slightly shy to meet your desired status. If you get both the personal and business version of the Platinum card, that can get you 20,000 MQMs. Additionally, the Platinum cards will give you an annual MQM boost. Spend $25,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll get an extra 10,000 MQMs. Spend $50,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll get an additional 10,000 MQMs. That means you can earn a total of 20,000 MQMs every single calendar year per Platinum card – that is if you are able to put that much on the card!

Companion Certificate

With the Platinum card you’ll receive a companion certificate upon account renewal (so you won’t receive it the first year, it starts the second year you have the card and every year thereafter). This will give you a domestic economy class ticket that can be used within the 48 contiguous states. While you will have to pay applicable taxes/fees they are minimal. Essentially, the companion ticket can be used for anyone and is not limited to just the Delta cardmember. You are allowed to gift the companion pass to two friends to fly together if you desire. However, the tickets must be purchased with your Delta credit card.

If you already have the Gold card

Although American Express has a once in a lifetime sign up bonus rule, all four cards serve as their own product. This means, you are eligible to receive the sign up bonus for every single card. If you have already received the sign up bonus for the Gold card, you can now move onto the Platinum card. Or vice versa! Same holds for the personal vs. business versions of the cards.

So which card should you get?

If you are just interested in the sign up bonus, then go for the Gold. If you are trying to earn status and need some extra MQMs, go for the Platinum. If you believe you’ll use the companion certificate and get more then a $195 value, then go for the Platinum. If you are looking to earn as many miles as possible, then apply for both!

Which card will you be getting?

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