Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Intro bonus: 70,000 Miles
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
- Regular APR: 15.74% to 24.74% Variable
- Recommended credit score: 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card strikes a nice balance for Delta enthusiasts who want to enjoy a few travel perks without paying the annual fees of more premium travel card options (which can cost upwards of $500).
For $99 annually (waived the first year), you can score a great welcome bonus, enjoy benefits like a free checked bag on Delta flights and priority boarding, and earn bonus rewards on everyday spending categories.
At a Glance
- 2x miles on Delta purchases
- 2x miles on dining (including takeout and delivery) and groceries at U.S. supermarkets
- 1x miles on other purchases
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 within three months of account opening (through April 28, 2021)
- First checked bag free and priority boarding on Delta flights
- Annual $100 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000
- 15.74%-24.74% variable APR
- No foreign transaction fees
- $99 annual fee, waived the first year
Pros
Exceptional welcome offer
Earn bonus miles on Delta purchases and everyday spending categories
In-flight and airport benefits for frequent Delta flyers
Option to Pay with Miles when you book Delta flights
Cons
High variable APR
$99 annual fee (waived the first year)
Rewards not as valuable for those who don’t often fly Delta
Additional Card Details
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex offers a handful of frequent flyer benefits you could normally only get with elite status — and which can go a long way in making up the cost of the annual fee. These include a free checked bag on Delta flights for you and up to nine travel companions on your same itinerary, priority boarding, and a 20% discount on in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
Even if you’re not planning to fly much this year, charging your regular spending to this card can help you earn credit toward a future Delta flight. Each calendar year you spend at least $10,000 in purchases with your card, you’ll earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit.
You’ll also get a few additional purchase and travel protections, including car rental loss and damage insurance, access to a Global Assist hotline, purchase protection against damage or theft, and extended warranties on items that come with an eligible manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less.
Should You Get this Card?
If you fly with Delta at least a few times per year or you want to start saving up airline miles for a dream trip, the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex is a solid option. You’ll get a few great perks at a lower cost than many premium travel cards or other co-branded Delta cards.
Delta charges $30 to check a single bag on domestic flights, which means this card’s free first checked bag benefit alone can offset the annual fee after just two round-trip flights. Combined with the valuable welcome bonus and ongoing rewards, even occasional Delta travelers can earn great value despite the fee.
Pro Tip
If you fly with Delta Air Lines often, there are a few reasons to charge your flights and everyday spending to this card. Not only will you earn 2x miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. supermarkets, all restaurant spending and Delta purchases, but you can earn a $100 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 on your card within a calendar year.
Just keep in mind the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex doesn’t give you any shortcut if you’re pursuing elite status within the Delta SkyMiles program, and you won’t get access to Delta Sky Club lounges. If you want either of those benefits, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card instead.
And if you don’t prefer flying with Delta, you may get more mileage out of a more general travel card. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card* and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card*, for example, both charge a similar price to Delta SkyMiles Gold, but you can redeem points and miles toward a broader range of travel purchases.
How to Use the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
When you sign up for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, begin working toward the $2,000 spending minimum within three months of account opening to earn 70,000 bonus miles.
SkyMiles values fluctuate based on when you book and your flight path, but that may be enough for a few round-trip domestic flights or even a round-trip international flight in the main cabin. Plus, you can redeem your SkyMiles at a rate of one cent each using Pay with Miles when you book with Delta, in increments of 5,000 miles. That makes the 70,000-point welcome bonus on this card worth a minimum $700.
Longer-term, use your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card for all your purchases in bonus rewards categories to maximize your SkyMiles. This includes Delta purchases, dining at restaurants, and groceries at U.S. supermarkets. If you can spend $10,000 on your card within a calendar year, you’ll also get a $100 Delta flight credit.
Just remember, these travel benefits only save you money if you use your card for purchases you would have made anyway, not by overspending simply to meet a welcome bonus threshold or score reward miles. Only charge items and expenses you can afford to pay off when your statement is due to avoid carrying a high-interest debt balance.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Compared to Other Cards
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Intro bonus:70,000 Miles
- Annual fee:$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
- Regular APR:15.74% to 24.74% Variable
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more at our partner’s secure site
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Intro bonus:90,000 miles
- Annual fee:$250
- Regular APR:15.74%-24.74% Variable
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more at our partner’s secure site
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Intro bonus:100,000 miles
- Annual fee:$95
- Regular APR:17.24% – 24.49% (Variable)
- Recommended credit:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Learn more at our partner’s secure site
Bottom Line
EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE
As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.
If you’re thinking about future travel and Delta is your airline of choice, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card can provide incredible value — from a valuable welcome bonus to everyday spending rewards and ongoing frequent flyer perks.
Still, evaluate your spending habits and upcoming travel plans to ensure this is the right card for you. Compare your potential value with this card to both other Delta credit cards and more general travel credit cards that may offer a broader range of travel redemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Delta Amex Gold get you?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers a 70,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $2,000 within three months of account opening, and 2x SkyMiles for each dollar you spend on Delta purchases, dining, and groceries. You also get perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a 20% discount on in-flight purchases.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card metal?
No, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is not a metal credit card. However, both the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card are.
What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The annual fee on the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is $99, but it’s waived the first year.
*All information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred has been collected independently by NextAdvisor and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
