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Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold Review: High Value for an Affordable Annual Fee

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Our Credit Cards Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a budget-friendly Delta credit card option. It has several useful perks for frequent Delta flyers, including a free checked bag and priority boarding, and it has a $0 annual fee in the first year ($99 thereafter) (terms apply, see rates and fees). Explore our full Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card review to figure out if it's the best Delta credit card for you.

Ratings Methodology
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Great for: Delta frequent flyers

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Credit Score:
Good/Excellent (670-850) Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR

20.74%-29.74% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 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.

1X - 2X miles

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

40,000

  • May be the best card for most Delta travelers, given the balance of a nice welcome offer, premium rewards program, and a low annual fee.

    • Welcome offer
    • Free checked bag
    • Priority boarding
    • Earn a Flight Credit
    • Annual fee
    • No premium travel benefits
    • Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
    • Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
    • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
    • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
    • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
    • $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
    • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
    • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
    • Terms Apply.
Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Full Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold review

This credit card is a good fit for: travelers who fly with Delta Air Lines multiple times per year and want to earn miles with an affordable credit card.

Top perks

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has the features you'd expect from a top airline credit card.

Welcome offer

You'll earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months.

$100 Delta Flight Credit

After spending $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card in a calendar year, you'll receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit. Terms apply. The credit is easy to get if you use your card regularly, as it only requires about $835 in monthly spending, and it balances out the annual fee.

Rewards

The card earns 2X miles on:

  • Delta purchases
  • Restaurants worldwide
  • U.S. supermarkets
  • Take out and delivery

All other purchases earn 1X miles. Terms apply. This is a better rewards rate than it may seem, as experts generally value SkyMiles® at about $0.015-$0.02 each.

Free checked bag

Card Members get a free first checked bag on all Delta flights for themselves. Terms apply. If you usually check a bag, this Delta credit card will save you money on one of the most common travel expenses.

Priority boarding

You'll be in the Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding group every time you fly with Delta. If you aren't familiar with Delta's boarding process, this means you'll board after first class and the "Sky" boarding group, but before the general main cabin (groups 2 and 3). Terms apply.

No foreign transaction fee

Like any good airline credit card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card doesn't charge you an extra fee on foreign transactions. (see rates and fees).

Introductory annual fee

Although this card does have a $99 annual fee, at least it's an introductory $0 fee for the first year you have the card.

Related: Read The Ascent's guide to the Best American Express Credit Cards.

Alternatives to consider

  • If you want a Delta credit card with more benefits: Try the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Its larger set of features include an annual companion certificate and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Terms apply. It has a costlier annual fee, but it offers plenty of value for frequent flyers (see rates and fees).
  • If you want more flexible travel rewards: The American Express® Gold Card earns Membership Rewards points. You can transfer those points to well over a dozen airline and hotel partners, including Delta Air Lines. Terms apply. With more ways to use your rewards, this card is better if you're not loyal to one airline.

Read more: Best Delta Credit Cards

As of Jun. 06, 2023
Image for
Image for
Image for
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card American Express® Gold Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Read Full Review
Read Full Review
Rates & Fees Rates & Fees Rates & Fees

Credit Rating Requirement:

Good/Excellent (670-850) Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Credit Rating Requirement:

Good/Excellent (670-850) Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Credit Rating Requirement:

Good/Excellent (670-850) Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

40,000

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

50,000

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 bonus points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 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.

1X - 2X miles

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

1X - 3X miles

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other eligible purchases.

1X - 4X points

Intro APR:

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Intro APR:

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Intro APR:

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

Regular APR:

20.74%-29.74% Variable

Regular APR:

20.74%-29.74% Variable

Regular APR:

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee:

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

Annual Fee:

$250

Annual Fee:

$250

Highlights:

  • Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
  • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
  • Terms Apply.

Highlights:

  • Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Get access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Highlights:

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Apply Now for American Express® Gold Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

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What could be improved

A couple minor issues are worth noting with this card.

Annual fee

Once you've had the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for a year, there's a $99 annual fee. That's not unreasonable considering what the card offers. Spending at least $10,000 per calendar year gets you a $100 Delta Flight Credit. There's also that free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation.

As long as you use your card often and fly with Delta at least a couple times per year, you should have no problem coming out ahead on this annual fee.

Missing premium travel benefits

This card doesn't offer some of the benefits that premium travel cards do. For example, frequent travelers may prefer a card that offers airport lounge access or the ability to earn Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQM), the miles that help you reach a higher status in Delta's frequent flyer program. In that case, comparing credit cards is a good idea to see whether you should get a Delta card with more features.

Read more: Best Airline Credit Cards

Find the best credit card for your needs

Compare credit card rewards, fees, APRs, and more using our side-by-side comparison tool.

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Suggested credit score

To get the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you should apply with a FICO® Score of at least 670. While approval doesn't depend entirely on your credit score, that is among the most important factors.

The Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold is right for you if:

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a great choice if you like to fly Delta when traveling and take at least a few trips per year.

Considering their value, Delta American Express credit cards are competitive with the best credit cards. It's all a matter of choosing which of the four tiers of Delta cards is the best fit for your needs. For travelers who want a free checked bag and priority boarding, but don't want to pay more than $100 per year for a credit card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the natural choice.

FAQs

Our Credit Cards Expert

Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Writer

Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.