Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Superb Travel Benefits and High Rewards

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a reliable option for frequent international travelers. It offers 2X miles for Delta purchases and the same rate for typical expenditure categories like dining and groceries in the U.S. Other notable perks to take advantage of include Zone 5 priority boarding, a free checked bag and a sizable intro bonus. However, it does not include the premium benefits that are often included in this price range.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold is a solid choice for frequent Delta flyers. It offers an 50,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $2,000 in the first six months and notable perks like free checked bags and priority boarding on all Delta flights. Cardholders of this Amex travel card can earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, making it versatile for everyday expenses.

However, after the first year, the $150 annual fee is significant, especially for a card without premium perks like lounge access or TSA PreCheck credits. Those seeking broader rewards might find better value in no annual fee credit cards or cheaper options like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.

While it can deliver value to Delta fans, those who fly less frequently or want more comprehensive rewards might find better options elsewhere. It’s worth comparing this card to other airline cards to see if it aligns with your spending and travel habits.

The Amex Delta Gold Card offers a robust rewards program tailored for frequent Delta flyers. Aside from having good rewards on Delta purchases, it extends the same on U.S. supermarkets and dining:

• Earn 2x miles on Delta and U.S. supermarket purchases
• Earn 2x miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 1x mile on all other eligible purchases.

Redemption Options

Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for award travel, seat upgrades and other benefits offered by Delta and its partners. The best redemption option is typically for award flights. You should aim to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for around 1.4 to 1.5 cents per mile. The best part is that miles don’t expire, allowing you to plan your redemptions without a deadline.

Yes, you can transfer Delta SkyMiles to another SkyMiles member, which is a fantastic way to share the love or pool miles for that reward. Just remember, this service has a fee — typically about $0.01 per mile plus an additional flat fee. If you're moving a lot of miles, those fees can stack up. The cheaper method is to book flights for the person you want to transfer your miles to. This comes with no fee.

Frequent Delta travelers can enjoy substantial benefits with the Amex Delta Gold Card. Earn a generous intro bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first six months, plus 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. Key perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and 20% in-flight savings enhance your travel experience.

Delta credits lets you earn $200 after spending $10,000 in a calendar year. Nifty for those who prefer navigating their destination on the wheel, added protection with car rental loss and damage insurance could make a difference. For baggage insurance, you’re covered up to $1,250 for checked bags and $500 for carry-ons per trip, making it a well-rounded travel companion.

Travel Perks

• Free First Checked Bag: Save up to $70 per roundtrip per person. This can add up to $280 in savings per trip for a family of four.
• Priority Boarding: Enjoy Zone 5 Priority Boarding for you and up to eight companions, giving you a better opportunity to secure ample overhead bin space and a more relaxed boarding experience.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: Earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in purchases within a calendar year. This credit is perfect for offsetting costs on roundtrip flights, like those from Chicago to Los Angeles.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back yearly as a statement credit after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.

Insurance Benefits

• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Provides secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental cars, offering peace of mind and financial protection.
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. Checked baggage is covered up to $1,250 per person per trip, and carry-on baggage up to $500 per person per trip.

Miscellaneous Perks

• 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Enjoy 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Save on currency conversion fees when making purchases abroad, an essential benefit for international travelers.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card certainly has its advantages, but it’s important to consider a few factors. The $150 annual fee after the first year can feel hefty if you’re not a frequent Delta flyer. While the card shines with 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and dining, the 1X rate on other spending might leave you wanting more.

Additionally, the card doesn’t contribute toward earning Delta Medallion Status or offer premium perks like lounge access or TSA PreCheck credits. If you’re after a card with broader benefits, there might be better options tailored to your travel needs.

High annual fee

The Amex Delta Gold Card comes with some solid perks, but the $150 annual fee after the first year might be a bit much if you’re not racking up those Delta flights. If you’re looking for similar rewards without the price tag, check out the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. It gives you 2X miles on Delta purchases and restaurants, all with no annual fee, making it a savvy choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Limited bonus rewards categories

The Amex Delta Gold Card delivers 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and dining worldwide, but outside these categories, it’s just 1X mile on everything else. If you’re after more bang for your buck across different spending areas, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a game-changer. With 2X points on travel, dining and more, it’s much easier to stack up those rewards no matter how you spend.

No access to elite status

The Amex Delta Gold Card is great for racking up miles, but if you’re dreaming of Delta Medallion Status, this card isn’t the card to help you get there. It doesn’t help you earn the MQMs or MQDs needed for those sweet elite perks, so loyal Delta flyers might want to look elsewhere if elite status is on their radar.

Lacks premium perks at this price point

For $150 a year, you might expect swanky perks like lounge access or TSA PreCheck credits, but the Amex Delta Gold Card doesn’t deliver on those fronts. If you’re after those luxury travel benefits, you might find better bang for your buck with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which offers a bit more at this price point.

The Delta Platinum Amex Card offers premium perks, like 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotels, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and an annual companion certificate, but comes with a hefty $350 annual fee.

While these extras are attractive, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card strikes a better balance between rewards and cost. With a lower annual fee, 2X miles on Delta, grocery and dining purchases and essential travel perks like free checked baggage, the Gold card offers solid value without the premium price tag, making it a smarter choice for most travelers.

If you're thinking about other Delta SkyMiles® co-branded cards, here's how they stack up against the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card.

Maximize your rewards by pairing the Delta SkyMiles® Gold with a no-annual-fee option like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express from American Express. While the Gold card shines with 2X miles on Delta, U.S. supermarket and dining purchases, the Blue Cash Everyday® steps in with 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations, U.S. online retail purchases and U.S. supermarkets, then 1%. 

This duo covers a wide range of spending categories, ensuring you earn valuable rewards on your travel and everyday expenses. Plus, with no additional annual fee to worry about, it’s a smart and cost-effective strategy for those looking to maximize value. This combination offers a well-rounded approach to earning rewards without the burden of extra costs.

The Amex Delta Gold Card can be a great fit for frequent Delta flyers who want to take advantage of its travel perks and rewards. However, if you’re looking for lounge access, a pathway to elite status or premium perks, this card might not fully meet your needs. The $150 annual fee after the first year and limited bonus categories may not be ideal for those who don’t frequently fly Delta or prefer more versatile rewards.

For travelers seeking a more comprehensive set of benefits, including lounge access and elite status, it’s worth exploring other great airline credit cards that cater to these needs. You can find more options on MoneyGeek's airline card guide.

We evaluated the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex Card as part of our review of 96 credit cards. Our evaluation focused on several key features, weighted as follows:

• Expected Value to Travelers (40%): Measures the expected monetary value of rewards and perks, adjusted for annual fees, based on a person who travels two to three times per year. This reflects the card’s overall value proposition for frequent travelers.
• Airline Scope (20%): Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which is crucial for understanding the card's value for travelers who frequently visit various locations.
• Offer ROI (15%): Assesses the return on investment of the card's introductory offers and ongoing rewards, measuring how effectively these offers enhance the card’s overall value.
• Effective Rewards Rate (10%): Rates how rewarding the rewards are, using different rewards multipliers to calculate an effective rate.
• Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): Evaluates the card’s foreign transaction fees, if any, which is important for travelers who frequently make purchases abroad.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Considers customer satisfaction with the card issuer, including factors like customer service, ease of account management, and overall user experience.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Assesses the recommended credit score range for applying for the card, helping users gauge if they are likely to be approved based on their credit profile.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card please click here.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express, please click here.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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