Delta Gold vs Delta Platinum
It depends on how you spend: the Delta Gold wins for 2 of our three profiles and the Delta Platinum for 1. Below: what each card pays after fees for three spending profiles, the break-even, and a live calculator for your own numbers. Card terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
Simulated results
Five years, welcome offers counted when the profile's own spending reaches them, points valued as cash (SkyMiles at 1.0¢). Merchant credits like Uber or DoorDash aren't counted for typed profiles; they show up in the break-even instead. Assumes you fly mostly Delta; companion fares and checked bags count once you tell the calculator below you use them.
| Profile | Delta Gold: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years | Delta Platinum: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $1,129 | $179 | $1,844 | $891 | −$9 | $854 |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $1,394 | $444 | $3,170 | $1,222 | $322 | $2,510 |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $1,682 | $732 | $4,610 | $1,660 | $760 | $4,700 |
The break-even
Everyday spender
Delta Platinum trails Delta Gold by $198 a year. It wins only if its companion perks, free checked bags, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $198 a year to you.
Balanced
Delta Platinum trails Delta Gold by $132 a year. It wins only if its companion perks, free checked bags, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $132 a year to you.
This flips if SkyMiles are worth more than 2.35¢ each to you (we're using 1.0¢).
Frequent traveler
Delta Gold trails Delta Platinum by $18 a year. It wins only if its free checked bags and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $18 a year to you.
Try it with your spending
Starts from the Balanced profile. Change any number, or drop in your statements; they're read on this device and never uploaded.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
Side by side
| Term | Delta Gold | Delta Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer and network | American Express, American Express | American Express, American Express |
| Annual fee | $150 ($0 first year) | $350 |
| Requires | Nothing extra | Nothing extra |
| Welcome offer | 80,000 points after $3,000 in 6 months (as high as; offers vary) | 90,000 points after $4,000 in 6 months (as high as; offers vary) |
| Earning | 2x on Delta purchases (flights, seats, upgrades, Delta Vacations, Delta Stays, in-flight food and drink) · 2x at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. · 2x at U.S. supermarkets · 1x on everything else | 3x on Delta purchases (flights, seats, upgrades, Delta Vacations, Delta Stays, in-flight food and drink) · 3x on purchases made directly with hotels · 2x at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. · 2x at U.S. supermarkets · 1x on everything else |
| Rewards currency | Delta SkyMiles | Delta SkyMiles |
| Statement credits | $200 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year · $120 rideshare credit ($10 a month), starting after the first card renewal · $100 Delta Stays credit | $120 Resy credit ($10 a month) · $120 rideshare credit ($10 a month) · $150 Delta Stays credit |
| Lounges | None | None |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Authorized users | No fee | No fee |
| Availability | Open to new applicants | Open to new applicants |
| Verified | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Is the Delta Gold worth its $150 fee? · Is the Delta Platinum worth its $350 fee? · Compare every card with your statements