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

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the better choice for frequent Delta travelers due to its higher rewards rate and valuable companion certificate. It offers 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotels, making it ideal for maximizing travel rewards.

While the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a lower annual fee and is more accessible initially, its benefits are limited compared to the Platinum card's extensive perks.

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 Card is likely to be better for travelers who fly with Delta occasionally and want to enjoy benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding without a high annual fee. It suits those who spend on groceries and dining, as it offers 2X miles in these categories.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is likely to be better for frequent Delta travelers who can take advantage of its higher rewards rate on Delta purchases and the valuable Companion Certificate. This card is suitable for those who travel often and can justify the $350 annual fee with the benefits it provides. However, it may not be the best choice for individuals who do not travel frequently enough to offset the high annual fee or who do not value the Companion Certificate.

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 example, if you spend heavily on Delta flights, the Platinum card's 3X miles rate may offer more value than the Gold's 2X rate, despite its higher fee.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers better rewards value due to its higher earning rate on Delta purchases and hotel bookings. Both cards earn Delta SkyMiles, valued at approximately 1.4 cents each, making them valuable for frequent Delta travelers.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card earns 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, while the Platinum card offers 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotel bookings. This makes the Platinum card more rewarding for those who frequently fly with Delta or stay at hotels. Below is a table summarizing the bonus categories for each card.

Both the Delta Gold and Platinum cards offer valuable redemption options through the Delta SkyMiles program. Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and more, with no expiration. The Delta Platinum card provides broader redemption choices, making it more versatile for frequent travelers.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers superior benefits for travelers, with standout perks like the Annual Companion Certificate and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit. These features cater to frequent travelers seeking enhanced travel experiences. The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card provides valuable perks like a free checked bag and Delta Flight Credit, appealing to budget-conscious users.

Travel perks

• Free checked first bags for you and a companion
• Priority boarding on Delta flights

Insurance & Protections

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

Credits & Discounts

• $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
• 15% off when booking Award Travel on Delta flights
• $100 back per year as a statement credit after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
• 20% savings on eligible Delta in-flight purchases

All Other Perks

• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership

Travel Perks

• First checked bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 per round-trip per person
• Complimentary Upgrade List eligibility with an eligible ticket
• 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit

Status

• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your card

Insurance & Protections

• Travel delay insurance for trips delayed more than 12 hours, up to $300 per trip
• Rental car reimbursement for damage or theft of a rental vehicle
• Baggage insurance plan for lost, damaged or stolen baggage

Credits & Discounts

• Annual Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central American roundtrip flights
• Up to $120 in statement credits annually for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers
• Up to $120 in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants
• Up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
• Up to $100 credit for airport security program enrollment
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees
• Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights

All Other Perks

• Hertz Five Star® Status for enhanced car rental experiences
• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership for free 2-day shipping and return shipping on eligible items

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.