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The Platinum Delta Skymiles® Credit Card was last reviewed on 18th October 2008.
Summary - The Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express will appeal to members and frequent travelers of Delta Airlines. It's key features are :
You can earn double miles no just for Delta or Song purchases but also from "everyday purchases".You get 20,000 bonus miles after your first purchase.Delta Skymiles members face no blackout dates when using miles.
Let us look at this card in greater detail.
Miles Formula - The Platinum Delta Skymiles® Credit Card allows the cardholder to earn doubles for every dollar spent on "everyday purchases". This is defined as qualifying stand-alone supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, home improvement and hardware stores, Delta and Song® purchases and the U.S. Postal Service, and your wireless phone payments. You earn one mile for every dollar you spend on "other purchases". You can also partially pay your ticket with miles and the rest with cash.
Bonuses - You will get 20,000 bonus miles after your first purchase on the card. Furthermore, you will earn an additional 2,500 bonus miles when you add a new cardholder.
Annual Companion Ticket - Cardholders will get one coach class companion ticket for each year that the card is renewed.
You can earn unlimited miles with this card. Delta Skymiles does not expire as long as your accout is active within 3 years. Your account is considered active if you have (a) earn SkyMiles through one of the SkyMiles programs partners including the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, (b) redeem SkyMiles for any SkyMiles Award, or (c) take at least one qualifying flight on Delta, Delta Connection®Delta Shuttle® or Song® purchased with a fare that is eligible for SkyMiles mileage credit.
Delta Skymiles also does not impose any blackout dates.
Fees and APR - The Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card has an annual fee of $150.00. This fee is waived for the first year. Cardholders who are have any American Express Green or Gold charge cards will pay an annual fee of only $95.00. If you transfer a balance, the apr on the balance will be
9.99% for 12 months. The apr is prime rate plus 9.99%. The average daily balance method (including new purchases) is used to calculate monthly balances.
Shopping and Travel Benefits - The Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card has many shopping and travel benefits. Here is a quick look at these benefits.
1. Online Fraud Protection Plan - American Express will protect cardholders against any fraudulent charges when an unauthorized purchase is made online.
2. Buyers Assurance - This program essentially doubles your warranty for products you have purchases up to a limit of one extra year. Coverage is good for up to a purchase of $10,000 and up to $50,000 worth of purchase a year.
3. Purchase Protection Plan - under this plan, you can return any purchase you make if it is accidentally damaged within 90 days. You are covered up to $1,000 per
incident and up to $50,000 per year.
4. Save in the Offer Zone - American Express has partnered with merchants to offer various savings.
5. Car rental insurance - American Express provides car rental insurance when you rent a car.
6. Travel accident insurance - You will also get up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance.
Verdict - We recommend the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express to skymiles members who want to earn faster miles. The advantage of the Platinum version over the Gold version is that you can earn unlimited miles (whereas the Gold version caps you off at 100,000 miles. Hence, if you spend less than $100,000 on your credit card, you might want to consider getting the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card instead as it has a lower annual fee.
Positives
Earn double miles on Delta and Song purchasesEarn double miles on everyday purchasesDelta Skymiles has no blackout datesMiles do not expire if your account is active within 3 years
Negatives
Annual fee (which is common among airline credit cards)
| Platinum Delta Skymiles® Credit Card |
| Reward Benefits |
| Point Accumulation |
Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend
Earn double miles on purchases at stand-alone supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, home improvement and hardware stores, Delta and Song® purchases and the U.S. Postal Service, and your wireless phone payments. |
| Cost/Fees/Interest rates |
| Introductory rate |
9.99% on balance transfer for 12 months |
| Annual Fee |
$150.00 - first year fee waived
Amex charge card holders pay on $95.00 in annual fee |
| Purchase APR |
Prime Rate plus 9.99% |
| Cash Advance APR |
Prime Rate plus 14.99% |
| Penalty/Default Rate APR |
Prime Rate plus 12.99% or 21.99% |
| Min Finance Charge |
$0.50 |
| Grace Period |
20 days |
| Balance Calculation Method |
Average Daily Balance (including new purchases) |
| Balance Transfer Fee |
No balance transfer fee during introductory offer |
| Cash Advance fee |
3%, min $5.00 |
| Over-the-credit-limit fee |
$35.00 |
| Late Payment fee |
$19.00 - less than $400
$39.00 - greater than $40.00 |
Apply for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
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