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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: A Comprehensive Review
February 6, 2025
Are you a frequent Delta flyer looking to enhance your travel experience? The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card might be the perfect addition to your wallet. This mid-tier travel card offers valuable benefits for Delta loyalists without the premium annual fee of higher-tier options. In this detailed review, we'll explore everything you need to know about this popular airline credit card.
What Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for travelers who frequently fly with Delta Air Lines. With a moderate annual fee and travel-focused benefits, this card helps you earn miles on everyday purchases while enjoying Delta-specific perks that make your journeys more comfortable and affordable.
The Gold card's standout features include first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, priority boarding, and the ability to earn bonus miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. You'll also get access to valuable benefits like a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year and a 15% discount on award travel through the TakeOff 15 benefit.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Pros & Cons
Before diving deeper, let's examine the key advantages and drawbacks of this card.
Pros:
- First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, potentially saving $60 per person roundtrip
- Priority boarding with Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights
- 2X miles on Delta purchases, restaurants worldwide, and U.S. supermarkets
- $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- 15% off award flights with the TakeOff 15 benefit
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- No foreign transaction fees for international credit cards usage
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings
- 20% statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases
- Car rental insurance and purchase protection
Cons:
- No automatic Delta Sky Club access (available for $50 per visit)
- No complimentary upgrade list priority
- Limited luxury travel benefits compared to premium Delta cards
- No companion certificate (available on Platinum and Reserve cards)
- Earning rate not as competitive for non-Delta spending
- Annual fee may not be worth it for infrequent Delta flyers
- Variable APR can be high for carrying balances
Who Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card For?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is ideally suited for:
Delta Loyalists Who Fly Several Times a Year
If you fly Delta at least 3-4 times annually, the free checked bag benefit alone can offset the annual fee. A family of four taking just one roundtrip flight could save $480 in baggage fees, making this card incredibly valuable.
Travelers Who Want Delta Perks Without a Premium Annual Fee
This card offers a sweet spot of valuable Delta benefits without the higher annual fees associated with the Platinum ($350) or Reserve ($650) cards. The $0 introductory annual fee for the first year makes it even more appealing to try out.
People Who Dine Out Frequently
With 2X miles at restaurants worldwide, this card rewards those who enjoy dining out or ordering takeout. This earning structure helps you accumulate miles even when you're not traveling.
Travelers Who Redeem Miles for Award Travel
The TakeOff 15 benefit gives you a 15% discount on miles when booking award travel through Delta, making your miles go further. This is particularly valuable for frequent award travelers.
Casual Delta Flyers Who Want Quality-of-Life Improvements
Priority boarding and free checked bags make your Delta experience more pleasant even if you only fly a few times a year. These perks can significantly enhance your travel experience.
The card is less suitable for:
- Ultra-frequent Delta flyers (who might benefit more from the Platinum or Reserve cards)
- Travelers who rarely check bags
- People who prioritize lounge access
- Those who rarely fly Delta
Comparing the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card With Other Credit Cards
When considering the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the mid-tier travel card category:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X on other purchases
- Standout feature: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase TravelSM
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 2X miles on all purchases, 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Miles transferable to travel partners
American Express® Gold Card [rates & fees]:
- Annual fee: $325
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 4X points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X) and 3X on booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- Standout feature: Up to $120 dining credit and up to $120 Uber Cash annually. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
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.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card excels in helping cardholders earn miles on everyday purchases
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers versatile travel rewards
- Capital One Venture provides simple, flat-rate miles earning
- American Express® Gold Card features strong dining and groceries rewards
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Consider Using Kudos to Maximize Your Credit Card Benefits
While the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers excellent benefits for Delta travelers, managing multiple credit cards to optimize rewards can be challenging. This is where Kudos comes in.
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Here's how Kudos can enhance your experience with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and your entire credit card portfolio:
- Automatic Card Recommendations: Kudos suggests whether to use your Delta Gold card or another card in your wallet based on which will earn the most rewards for each purchase.
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Our Expert Takeaway
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card delivers excellent value for regular Delta flyers who check bags and appreciate priority boarding. With its first-year annual fee waiver and ongoing benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and in-flight discounts, the card can easily pay for itself with just a few Delta flights per year.
The TakeOff 15 discount on award travel adds significant value for those who redeem miles frequently, and the $200 Delta flight credit for high spenders provides a nice bonus for those who use the card regularly.
While it lacks premium benefits like Sky Club access or a companion certificate, its moderate annual fee makes it accessible to a broader range of travelers. For frequent Delta flyers who want core travel benefits without paying for premium features they may not use, the Gold card hits the sweet spot.
When paired with smart tools like Kudos to optimize your overall credit card strategy, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can be a valuable component of your travel rewards arsenal.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card FAQ
What is the welcome offer for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?
The welcome offer typically includes bonus miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. Welcome offers change periodically, so check the current offer on American Express's website.
Does the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card give you access to Delta Sky Club?
No, the card doesn't include complimentary Sky Club access. However, cardholders can purchase access for $50 per visit when traveling on a Delta flight.
How does the free checked bag benefit work?
The first checked bag is free for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. This benefit is automatically applied when you include your SkyMiles number in the reservation and pay with your Delta Gold card.
What is TakeOff 15?
TakeOff 15 is a benefit that gives cardholders a 15% discount on the miles required for award travel when booking through Delta. This makes your SkyMiles go further when redeeming for flights.
Can I use my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card internationally?
Yes, the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel. It's widely accepted wherever American Express is taken.
How do I earn the $200 Delta flight credit?
Spend $10,000 or more on eligible purchases with your card in a calendar year to receive a $200 Delta flight credit that can be applied to future travel.
Do miles earned with this card expire?
No, Delta SkyMiles don't expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 18 months.
Can I use the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card with the Fly Delta app?
Yes, you can link your card to the Fly Delta app for a seamless experience, including tracking your miles, booking flights, and accessing mobile boarding passes.
Does the card offer any credits toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
No, the Delta Gold card doesn't offer statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This benefit is available on higher-tier Delta cards like the Platinum and Reserve.
What is the Pay with Miles feature?
Pay with Miles allows cardholders to use their SkyMiles to partially or fully pay for Delta flights, with each mile worth 1 cent toward the ticket price.
How does priority boarding work with this card?
Cardholders receive Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights, allowing you to board earlier and secure overhead bin space before general boarding begins.
Are there any Hertz Gold Plus Rewards benefits with this card?
Yes, cardholders receive complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status, which includes benefits like skip-the-counter service and potential car upgrades.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
