As a frequent Delta flyer running a small business, maximizing travel rewards and perks should be top of mind. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is tailored specifically to meet the needs of regular Delta travelers.
This article will explore 7 key benefits and features of this popular airline card in great detail. We’ll also look at how each perk provides value, so you can determine if the card fits your business and travel needs.
1. A Lucrative Welcome Bonus Gives Your SkyMiles Balance a Head Start
Right off the bat, new cardholders can earn 60,000 Delta SkyMiles by spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Based on typical Delta domestic economy award flight prices, that’s enough miles for 1-2 roundtrip flights in the mainland U.S.
Earning the full 60,000-mile welcome bonus rapidly boosts your SkyMiles account balance. This makes the card a great option if you need a lump sum of miles to book an upcoming business trip or client project.
Just keep in mind you’ll need to spend $3,000 in 3 months to earn the full bonus. If your business has large expenses like equipment, inventory, travel, advertising, or other purchases, you should have no problem hitting the minimum spend. But those with more modest spending may find earning the full bonus challenging.
2. 3x Miles on All Delta Purchases Maximizes Your Rewards Earnings
The Delta Platinum Business Amex offers an excellent 3x miles per $1 spent on all eligible Delta purchases directly made with the airline. This includes purchases like:
- Airfare
- Seat Upgrades
- Delta Vacation Packages
- Baggage Fees
- Inflight Food, Drinks, and Entertainment
- Sky Club Memberships
- SkyMiles Purchases
Most business owners probably spend thousands on Delta travel annually – especially those needing to attend conferences, meet clients, manage remote teams, or inspect locations. You’ll rack up miles quickly with the 3x earnings rate.
To put it in perspective, let’s assume you spend $25,000 on the card each year, with $10,000 of that on Delta purchases. Here is how the miles would tally up:
- $10,000 on Delta purchases: 30,000 miles (3x miles)
- $15,000 on other purchases: 15,000 miles (1x miles)
- Total miles earned: 45,000
Based on Delta’s average domestic economy award flight cost being 10,000 miles, the 30,000 Delta miles alone would equate to 3 free roundtrip flights!
Maximizing the 3x bonus category on Delta expenses is key to getting tremendous value from this airline card.
3. Domestic Companion Certificate Nearly Covers the Annual Fee
The Delta Platinum Business Amex provides a domestic Main Cabin companion certificate each year upon your account anniversary. When redeemed on a domestic roundtrip Delta flight, it only costs you the taxes and fees on the ticket for your companion. Depending on the route, that’s typically under $100.
Let’s break down the potential savings:
- Sample flight cost: $250 base fare + $100 taxes/fees
- You buy your ticket for $350 total
- Redeem the certificate for the companion and only pay $100 taxes/fees for their ticket
In this scenario, you just saved $250 off the second ticket price thanks to the certificate! That more than covers the card’s $250 annual fee in one shot.
This perk alone makes the airline card worth it if you frequently travel with colleagues, team members, or clients who you’d normally have to pay airfare for.
4. First Checked Bag Fee Waived on Delta Flights
Between bulky carry-on suitcases and gear required for business trips, checking a bag is often unavoidable. With most airlines charging $30+ for the first checked bag per flight segment, those fees hurt.
However, the Delta Platinum Business Amex gives you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation a free first checked bag when flying Delta.
Looking at a typical 5-segment trip as an example, here’s how the math works out:
- Normal roundtrip checked bag fees: 5 segments x $30 per segment = $150
- With the card benefit: $0 checked bag fees
- Total savings: $150
For frequent flyers, those savings from waived baggage fees can easily offset the $250 annual fee each year.
5. Priority Boarding and Inflight Discounts Enhance the Delta Experience
This Delta airline card includes complimentary Main Cabin 1 priority boarding on Delta-operated flights for you and up to 8 fellow travelers. By boarding early, you’ll find overhead bin space and extra time to settle in for the flight ahead.
Additionally, expect 20% back as a statement credit when you use the card to pay for Delta in-flight purchases like food, drinks, headphones, and WiFi. For example, a $15 snack box would trigger a $3 statement credit.
Although minor, perks like fee-free checked bags, early boarding, and inflight discounts combine to make the flight experience notably better compared to flying without a business airline card.
6. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credits
When you charge the $85 TSA PreCheck or $100 Global Entry application fee to the card, a statement credit will reimburse you every 4-4.5 years.
Having TSA PreCheck or Global Entry saves precious time through expedited airport screening. You don’t need to remove shoes, belts, liquids, laptops, or light jackets which simplifies getting through security. It’s one less hassle when traveling frequently for business meetings and conferences.
Considering how often the average business flyer is on the road, those application fee credits provide real value.
7. Earn Miles and Save on Delta Flights with the Platinum Business Amex
In summary, the Delta Platinum Business American Express Card packs helpful money-saving perks with bonus miles-earning potential. Between lounge access, free checked bags, an annual companion certificate, and statement credits, you can easily offset the $250 annual fee when traveling frequently on Delta.
That said, this airline credit card naturally makes the most sense for regular Delta flyers as opposed to those who split flights between different carriers. You’ll want to weigh the benefits against the fee to confirm if it aligns with your travel habits.
For other business credit card options, see our reviews of the top business cards for travel. And if you currently hold the Delta Platinum Business Amex, share your experience in the comments!
All information about The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CreditPolice. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card, see this page.