Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the better choice for frequent Delta flyers due to its superior rewards and travel perks. It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases, groceries, and dining, plus free checked bags and priority boarding. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, with no annual fee, is a solid option for those seeking basic Delta rewards without extra costs.

MoneyGeek's Delta card comparison breaks down the card details, rewards and perks to help you decide which is right for you.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold is likely to be better for frequent Delta travelers who can take advantage of its travel perks, like a free first checked bag and priority boarding. It also offers high earning potential at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue is likely to be better for those who want to earn Delta SkyMiles without paying an annual fee. It suits budget-conscious travelers who make occasional Delta flights and dine out frequently, as it offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining.

Point-by-point comparisons of APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features help you determine which card best meets your needs. For instance, if you frequently shop at U.S. supermarkets, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card's 2X miles offer may be more rewarding than the Delta SkyMiles Blue card which lacks the supermarket rewards.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold card generally offers better value due to its higher earning potential at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants. Both cards earn Delta SkyMiles, valued at approximately 1.4 cents each, making them valuable for frequent Delta flyers.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue card earns 2X miles at restaurants and on Delta purchases, while the Delta Gold card adds U.S. supermarkets to its 2X earning categories. This makes the Delta Gold card more versatile for everyday spending. Below is a table summarizing the bonus categories for each card.

Both the Delta SkyMiles Blue and Gold cards offer miles that can be redeemed for Delta flights and upgrades, with no expiration. While the Delta Gold card provides more opportunities to earn miles, enhancing redemption potential, both cards are limited by the Delta SkyMiles program, which may not offer as much flexibility as other rewards programs.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers superior perks, especially for those who travel with Delta. It includes a free checked bag and priority boarding, which are valuable for frequent flyers. The Delta SKyMiles Blue card provides savings on in-flight purchases and flexibility with Pay with Miles, appealing to budget-conscious travelers.

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and up to eight companions on Delta flights
• Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights

Status

• Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app
• Take 15% off anytime you book Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app

Insurance & Protections

• Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental car
• Coverage for lost, damaged or stolen baggage

Credits & Discounts

• Earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year
• Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Gold Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays
• 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit

All Other Perks

• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership
• 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services through Global Assist® Hotline

Travel Perks

• Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental car

Credits & Discounts

• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles redeemed with Pay with Miles
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages

All Other Perks

• Stay in the know with exclusive access to ticket presales and Card Member-only events in a city near you
• With ShopRunner, you can get free 2-day shipping and free return shipping on eligible items at 100+ online stores

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.