Delta Gold vs Delta Platinum
By Alex Compton · Updated
The Delta Gold and Delta Platinum are separated by $200 in annual fee, and the whole decision compresses to one question: will you use a companion certificate every year? The Gold is a utility card for bags and boarding. The Platinum adds the certificate and a real path toward Medallion status.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
American Express
- Our rating
- 7.6/10
- Welcome bonus
- 90,000 points
- Bonus value
- ≈$1,035
- Annual fee
- $150
- Credits, max/yr
- $300
- Foreign txn fee
- None
Top earning rates
- 2x Delta, restaurants, US supermarkets
- 1x All other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex
American Express
- Our rating
- 8.0/10
- Welcome bonus
- 100,000 points
- Bonus value
- ≈$1,150
- Annual fee
- $350
- Credits, max/yr
- $390
- Foreign txn fee
- None
Top earning rates
- 3x Delta purchases
- 2x Restaurants and US supermarkets
- 1x All other purchases
Where Each Wins
Annual fee
Delta GoldThe Gold runs $150; the Platinum runs $350. Both waive foreign transaction fees and carry the core Delta flyer perks.
Companion certificate
Delta PlatinumOnly the Platinum issues one: an annual Main Cabin companion certificate that alone can cover the $350 fee on a single trip. This is the headline reason the Platinum exists.
Path to status
Delta PlatinumThe Platinum starts you with a $2,500 MQD headstart toward Medallion status. The Gold contributes nothing toward status.
Earning
Delta PlatinumThe Platinum earns 3x on Delta and 2x at restaurants and US supermarkets. The Gold earns 2x on Delta, restaurants, and supermarkets, and 1x elsewhere.
Credits
TieThe Gold carries a $100 Delta Stays credit plus a $200 Delta flight credit that requires $10,000 in annual card spend. The Platinum carries $390 across Delta Stays, Resy, and rideshare, but the Resy and rideshare pieces drip monthly and take attention.
Current offers
Delta GoldThe Gold's 90,000-mile offer after just $2,000 in spend is a new all-time high and the easiest big bonus in the Delta lineup. The Platinum asks $4,000 for 100,000.
The Compound Verdict
Pick by honesty about your travel. If you fly Delta a few times a year and mostly want free bags, priority boarding, and the 15% award discount, the Gold covers it for $150, and its current 90k all-time-high offer is the best on-ramp the lineup has offered. If you and a companion fly together at least once a year, the Platinum's certificate flips the math: used annually it settles the $350 fee by itself, and the MQD headstart matters if status is in play. Whichever you hold, earn your everyday points on a better earner and treat the Delta card as a perks card.
Our ratings give it to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex (8.0 vs 7.6). On current welcome offers, the Delta Platinum brings the bigger first-year haul at ≈$1,150. The fee gap is $200 a year, so make sure the extra credits and multipliers actually fit your spend.
Read the full reviews for the complete math: Delta Gold review and Delta Platinum review, or put them side by side in the comparison tool.
Common Questions
Is the Delta Gold or Delta Platinum worth it?
The Gold earns its $150 if you check bags on Delta a few times a year: bags plus the TakeOff 15 award discount cover the fee for regulars. The Platinum earns its $350 only if you use the annual companion certificate; used once a year, it typically pays for the card by itself.
Should I get the Amex Gold instead of a Delta card?
For earning SkyMiles, yes. The Amex Gold earns 4x Membership Rewards at restaurants and US supermarkets, and those points transfer 1:1 to Delta, out-earning any Delta card on everyday spend. The Delta Gold and Platinum are perks cards, for bags, boarding, certificates, and status, not earning machines.
Does the Delta Gold have a companion certificate?
No. In the current lineup the companion certificate starts at the Delta Platinum (Main Cabin) and upgrades to First Class-capable on the Reserve. The Gold's marquee perks are the free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 15% off award flights.