Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review
Joy Wallet is advertiser-supported: we may earn compensation from the products and offers mentioned in this article. However, any expressed opinions are our own and aren't influenced by compensation. To read our full disclosure, click here.
JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Having a credit card that earns travel rewards is a must for anyone who travels regularly. Delta is the largest carrier in the U.S. If you fly Delta, it simply makes sense to have a credit card that provides Delta SkyMiles points; the best of the bunch is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
Delta credit cards offer several categories for you to choose from. These categories allow you to turn your spending into rewards and save money. Here is a detailed card review of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for you.
Jump To
What is Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
American Express has several cards with its Delta Sky partnership. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a rewards credit card suitable for occasional or frequent flyers who prefers to fly Delta to earn Delta flight credits, Delta Sky Club access, companion certificates, priority boarding, free baggage, and other travel benefits through its membership rewards points accumulated with the Amex card. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
How does Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Cardwork?
You can find card offers for this Amex through the website of Delta SkyMiles. You need to provide basic information first. This includes your full name, email address, phone number, social security number, annual income, and income source. Once you provide this, the team will review your information, access the credit score, and then make a decision. American Express will access the credit history from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, and Mexico through its partnership with Nova Credit.
It will take less than 10 minutes to submit your application. You will be informed if your application is accepted. If you are an American Express Credit Cardmember from another country, you simply need to log in to the account and follow a simplified application process.
How much does Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card cost?
The Delta card is low maintenance, and you do not have to worry about the fees. When you fly abroad, there are no foreign transaction fees you need to pay. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. The other ongoing cost is the variable APR. It can range from 20.99% - 29.99%.
Features of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Priority boarding
You and up to eight additional travelers on a single reservation can board on a priority basis with the Main Cabin 1 group.
Free first-checked bag
The cardholder and up to eight travelers on the same reservation will have one free checked bag, and this can save $30 per bag per direction.
Flight credit
You can earn a $100 flight credit once you spend $10,000 on your card annually.
Travel protection
With the card, you enjoy travel protection, including damage insurance, car rental loss, and baggage insurance. It also offers shopping protection that includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Rewards
Different cards have different ways you can earn rewards and redeem them.
Earning Rewards
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Reward Redemption
It is possible to redeem the SkyMiles on the website by using your account. It is a simple and quick procedure. Delta has removed the award charts from the website and has moved into a dynamic pricing system. Hence, the redemption rates will be flexible and will fluctuate according to the demand, season, and cash price. You will find more seats to book using miles, but they will come at an exorbitant rate.
The best way you can redeem SkyMiles is through one of the Deals Promotions that the company runs at regular intervals. You will be able to book award flights to different locations using the miles, and you can also book flights operated by other SkyTeam carriers. Further, you can Pay with Miles, but it will only yield 1 cent per mile in value, so it is not recommended.
Your reward value is tied to Delta, and you cannot transfer the miles to any other loyalty programs for a better deal. You can give miles to charity or other accounts or spend them on magazine subscriptions, travel experiences, or merchandise.
What are the miles worth?
The value of miles on your card will vary from one flight to another because Delta does not have a defined awards chart. The miles can only be redeemed for airfare at a 5,000 mile to $50 ratio, making them worth 1 cent when you redeem through Delta.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Who is Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card best for?
- Frequent Delta Travelers. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is ideal for those travelers who regularly fly Delta Airlines. It hits the right notes for a$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- Ideal for those who can align regular purchases. The card is also ideal for those who use the card for regular purchases. It has decent offers and priority boarding.
Who shouldn’t use Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?
- Occasional travelers. If you occasionally fly Delta Airlines or its partner airlines, this card is not for you.
- Travelers who seek lounge access or elite status. The card does not offer lounge access, so if you are keen on relaxing in the lounge, you need to look at other options. The annual fees may not be worth it if you do not use the card for regular purchases. It is also not the right match if you want an elite status with the card.
Pros and cons
Pros
- There are no fees for foreign transactions
- You can choose from a wide range of airline partners
- $0 annual fee in the first year
- Suitable for everyday expenses
- Possible to earn $100 flight credit each year.
- Enjoy priority boarding on Delta flights and get a free first checked bag
Cons
- Annual fee
- You cannot have stopovers on award flights
- No Delta award chart
- High APR
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card vs. competitors
Header | Annual Fee | APR | Rewards |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | 20.99% - 29.99% | Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 95 | 19.99% - 29.99% | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. |
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card | $95 | 21.24% - 29.24% | 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 95 | 21.49%-28.49% | Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Card Name
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Limited-time offer: For a limited time, earn 75,000 Miles
Special Offer Terms
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Rewards Rate
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Terms
Why We Like It
- 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, which is equivalent to $750 in travel
- You can earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
- $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges
- 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Card Name
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
APR
21.24% - 29.24%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points
Special Offer Terms
after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
Rewards Rate
10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Terms
Why We Like It
- Annual Hotel Savings benefit.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Card Name
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.49%-28.49%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards Rate
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus points offered.
- High points for travel and dining purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and points on all purchases.
- Complimentary one-year access to DashPass.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
FAQs
What are the different ways I can redeem the points?
There are two ways you can redeem the points. When you book a flight with Delta Airlines or its partner airlines, you can either Pay with Miles or Pay with Cash and Miles. Apart from that, you can transfer points to another account, give them to charity or spend them on merchandise.
Can I transfer the points to another account?
Yes, it is possible to transfer your miles to another account if you do not want to redeem them yourself.
Will my Delta membership reward points expire?
Delta miles do not expire regardless of whether you take a Delta flight or not. This is a unique benefit of the program.
The bottom line
There is no limit to the miles you can earn but unless you opt for the $100 airfare credit once you spend $10,000 on the card annually, you have better alternatives to consider. The card is more like a middle-of-the-road co-branded card. It is not an ideal option for daily spending and spending $10,000 for a credit of $100 for the next trip might not be worth it. It offers benefits to those who want to check bags and board faster. The annual fee of $99 after the first year proves to be a worthwhile investment but unless you are a pleasure traveler, it is wiser to opt for a non-branded card to enjoy flexible rewards.
Joy Wallet is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor, financial advisor, loan broker, insurance producer, or insurance broker. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide investment advice. Joy Wallet does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information in regard to your individual circumstances. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific investment issues. Featured estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.
Our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market. We are compensated by our partners, which may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on our site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice. Our editorials are grounded on independent research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.
We value your privacy. We work with trusted partners to provide relevant advertising based on information about your use of Joy Wallet’s and third-party websites and applications. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing information about your web browsing activities with Meta (Facebook) and Google. All of the web browsing information that is shared is anonymized. To learn more, click on our Privacy Policy link.
Images appearing across JoyWallet are courtesy of shutterstock.com.
JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Writer
Vandita Jadeja is a financial writer and editorial assistant at Joywallet. She loves to read and write about money and brings 7 years of experience from the financial industry. She loves coffee, mountains and sunsets.
Share this article
