Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of the top features that make the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express card a popular choice.

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• The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (See Rates & Fees), making it easy to try out.
• You'll earn 2X miles on several useful spending categories, including at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
• The free checked bag benefit can easily offset the annual fee if you fly with Delta just a few times per year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Receive a discount on award flights booked with miles through the TakeOff 15 benefit.
• Enjoy a suite of travel perks like a free checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees.
• Earn a Delta flight credit after meeting an annual spending threshold.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like complimentary lounge access and priority on upgrade lists.
• Does not offer a companion certificate, a popular benefit found on other Delta cards.
• The rewards structure is less competitive for everyday spending compared to other travel cards.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals. These two cards serve very different purposes, so the right choice comes down to what you value most in a credit card.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited® - This card is best for cash back seekers looking to earn consistent rewards on everyday spending. It's a straightforward option for those who prefer a simple rewards structure without tracking rotating categories.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers, especially those loyal to Delta Air Lines. It's ideal for individuals who want to earn miles and enjoy travel-specific perks to enhance their flying experience.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel booked through the Chase portal, and gift cards. This provides a high degree of flexibility, catering to users who value multiple redemption options.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Rewards are earned as miles within the Delta SkyMiles program, which are primarily used for booking flights with Delta and its airline partners. Miles can also be redeemed for other travel-related perks like seat upgrades and vacation packages.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card’s travel benefits are primarily accessed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points can be used for travel bookings. It is not ideal for international travel, as it charges a foreign transaction fee. The card does not include premium travel perks such as airport lounge access or free checked bags.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Designed for the Delta loyalist, this card offers several flight-specific benefits. Cardholders get their first checked bag free and receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for spending abroad. Additionally, you can earn a Delta flight credit after meeting a certain annual spending threshold. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the right card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the optimal choice for your unique spending habits.

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• Test Drive a Card: Before you apply, you can test drive a credit card to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual spending history.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed, data-driven analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.
• Personalized Matching: Connect your bank accounts to get matched with cards that will maximize your rewards based on your real transaction history.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders and those new to rewards who want a straightforward way to earn cash back on all their purchases. It also appeals to strategic users who can maximize its value by taking advantage of the 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases and by pairing it with a premium Chase card to pool Ultimate Rewards® points. Ultimately, this no-annual-fee card is best for applicants with good to excellent credit who value a blend of simplicity and powerful earning potential within the Chase ecosystem.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express card is tailor-made for frequent Delta flyers who want to elevate their travel experience without committing to a premium annual fee. This includes families and groups who can save significantly on baggage fees with the first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions, as well as individuals who frequently dine out or shop at U.S. supermarkets. As detailed in a comprehensive review, the card is ideal for the casual but loyal Delta customer seeking valuable perks like priority boarding and discounts on award travel.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our deep dive into the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express® Card didn't point to a clear winner for you, let's look at some other options. Several alternative cards offer compelling rewards that might be a better match for your spending habits.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: You’ll generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement organically.
• Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific application rules and how the card fits into your broader wallet strategy.

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Application Strategy

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• Review issuer rules:Be aware of policies like Chase's 5/24 rule or American Express's welcome offer limitations.
• Time your application:Apply before planned travel or large purchases to help meet spending requirements and maximize immediate benefits.
• Consider card pairings:Evaluate how a new card will complement others in your wallet, such as pairing Chase cards to enhance rewards.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I use Chase Ultimate Rewards points for Delta flights?

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While you cannot transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to Delta SkyMiles, you can book Delta flights through the Chase travel portal. Alternatively, you can transfer points to a SkyTeam partner like Air France/KLM Flying Blue and book Delta-operated flights with their miles.

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Which card is better if I don't travel often?

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For infrequent travelers, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is generally the more practical choice due to its flexible cash back rewards and no annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card's benefits are primarily geared toward enhancing the travel experience with Delta.

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Is the annual fee on the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card worth it?

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The value of the annual fee depends entirely on your travel habits and how much you utilize the card's perks, such as the free first checked bag (Terms apply). If the savings from the benefits outweigh the annual fee each year, it can be a worthwhile investment for regular Delta flyers.

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