Delta SkyMiles® Gold vs. SkyMiles® Platinum: Choosing a Travel Card
5 Min Read | Published: December 15, 2025
Wondering if Delta SkyMiles Gold or Delta SkyMiles Platinum is right for you? See how these Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards compare on perks, companion tickets, and Medallion® Status.
At-A-Glance
- The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card transforms hectic travel days into pleasant journeys, offering free checked bags, priority boarding status, and a fast track to collecting miles, all at a lower annual fee.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card offers perks like a companion certificate and head start toward earning Delta’s Medallion® Status.
- The right Card for you can boil down to how often you fly Delta and which perks align with your travel rhythm and loyalty goals.
There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of takeoff, and a Delta credit card can help make your journey even more enjoyable. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card offers a faster lane towards Delta’s elevated Medallion® Status, plus travel companion discounts that just might motivate you to travel more with your loved ones. And then there’s the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card, which can turn an anxious airport experience into a breeze with less waiting, more affordable bags, and a lower annual fee.
Whichever route you take, each Card can make earning miles on every flight feel effortless, so your time in the sky feels less like a chore and more like a reward.
Delta SkyMiles Gold: Key Benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card offers plenty of opportunities to earn miles and additional perks for frequent Delta flyers—with an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $150 each year after.1 Here’s how the Gold Card helps your journeys get off the ground:2
- 2X miles on Delta purchases
Each time you make a purchase directly with Delta, you earn 2X miles to redeem on a future flight. - 2X miles on dining
Dine at your favorite eateries and earn 2X miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. - 2X miles on groceries
Pick up groceries for the week to earn 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets. - 1X miles on other eligible purchases
From streaming subscriptions to last-minute errands, earn miles on other eligible purchase you make with the Delta Gold Card, so you can cash in when it’s your time to fly. - First checked bag free on Delta flights
Tired of paying to check your luggage? Your first checked bag is free on Delta flights with the Gold Card, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. - Zone 5 Priority Boarding
Get a leg up when it comes time to board your flights with Zone 5 Priority Boarding. - TakeOff 15 offers 15% savings when booking Award Travel
Save more of your miles by taking 15% off anytime you book Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. (Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Key Benefits
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card can help your adventure take off faster with more ways to earn miles, climb toward Medallion® Status quicker, and upgrade your experience for an annual fee of $350.3 Whether you’re booking flights, checking bags, or sharing the journey with a companion, this Card helps make every mile feel first class.4
- 3X miles on Delta purchases
Earn 3X miles for every eligible dollar spent when you book your Delta flight with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card - 3X miles on hotels
Need a place to stay when you land? Delta SkyMiles Platinum has you covered. Earn 3X miles when you book your lodging directly with hotels. - 2X miles on dining
Like the Delta Gold, the Delta Platinum gets you double the miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. - 2X miles on groceries
And earn 2X miles when you stock up at U.S. supermarkets. - 1X miles on other eligible purchases
Earn miles on most purchases, when you use your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card. - First checked bag free on Delta flights
As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights. - Zone 5 Priority Boarding
Enjoy more peace of mind by getting on your plane earlier with Zone 5 Priority Boarding. - Companion Certificate
Bring someone along for any valid domestic or select international Delta Main round-trip flight. Each year after renewal, your Platinum Card offers a Companion Certificate that lets a guest fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.
The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit - Fast-track your Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost
Medallion Status provides you with additional flying conveniences, including upgrades and more complimentary checked bags. Each Medallion Qualification Year, the MQD Headstart awards you with 2,500 MQDs to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Plus, the MQD Boost allows you to earn 1 MQD for every $20 in purchases on your Card. - TakeOff 15
When you redeem your miles for Award Travel through Delta.com or the Fly Delta app, get a 15% discount on the miles going toward your next trip. (Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
Side-by-Side Comparison: Gold vs. Platinum
| Delta SkyMiles Gold | Delta SkyMiles Platinum | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 (introductory $0 annual fee for first year)1 | $3503 |
| Checked Bags on Delta Flights | First bag free | First bag free |
| Priority Boarding | Zone 5 Priority Boarding | Zone 5 Priority Boarding |
| Companion Certificate | Not included | Delta Main domestic and select international roundtrip |
| MQD Benefits | Not included | $2,500 MQD Headstart + MQD Boost |
| Miles Earned | 2X on Delta, restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, 1X on other purchases | 3X on Delta and hotels; 2X on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, 1X on other purchases |
| Best For | Occasional Delta flyers who want core perks at a lower cost | Frequent Delta flyers who want extra perks and faster Medallion Status progress |
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Cards reward loyal Delta flyers with ways to earn miles and travel perks, but the Platinum Card takes things a step further for a higher annual fee. It adds benefits like earning miles on hotel bookings, a Companion Certificate for select round-trip flights, and extra opportunities to boost your Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQDs) as you move toward elite status faster.
It depends on how you travel. If you’re a frequent flyer who values faster progress toward Medallion® Status and enjoys premium perks like a Companion Certificate, the Platinum Card’s $350 annual fee3 may pay off in added comfort, convenience, and rewards.
Absolutely. The Platinum Card helps you climb the Medallion® ranks with a built-in Headstart of 2,500 MQDs each Medallion Qualification Year and an MQD Boost that earns you 1 MQD for every $20 you spend on purchases. It’s designed to help your loyalty go further, one trip at a time.
The Takeaway
Both Cards can make every trip feel like you’re flying a little higher—it just depends on how high and fast you want to climb. If you’re looking for solid savings and everyday travel perks, the Gold Card can get you free checked bags, priority boarding, and 2X miles on Delta purchases. But if you're ready for more upgrades and a path to get closer to Medallion Status, the Platinum Card unlocks a Companion Certificate for select round-trip flights, bonus miles on hotels, and MQD fast-track programs. Check out the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, and other American Express Delta Cards today to see which one is right for you.
1 For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Gold Card, click here.
2 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Gold Card, click here.
3 For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum Card, click here.
4 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum Card, click here.
Scott Drueding Hanson is a content writer and copywriter based in Brooklyn. His work focuses primarily on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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