Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card review: Perfect for casual Delta travelers
Editor's Note
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card overview
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card provides valuable benefits at an affordable price point for casual Delta flyers. Perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding can easily justify opening and keeping this card, especially for occasional flyers looking to save on Delta travel. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Delta offers multiple card options, but the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is probably the best option for the occasional Delta flyer.
It offers decent perks, especially for a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($150 annual fee thereafter; see rates and fees).
We recommend a good to excellent credit score to have the best chance of approval for the card. Here's everything you need to know about the card and why it might be worth getting.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex pros and cons
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Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex welcome offer
New Delta Gold Amex cardmembers can earn up to 90,000 bonus miles if they meet two separate spending thresholds:
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership
- Plus, earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $5,000) in the first six months of card membership
This offer ends Apr. 1.
TPG's January 2026 valuations place Delta SkyMiles at 1.25 cents each, making this welcome offer worth up to $1,125.
This is the highest offer we've seen in this card's history, so now is an excellent time to apply.
Due to Amex's once-per-lifetime restriction on welcome bonuses, you won't be eligible for this offer if you already have this card or have had a previous version in the past. When determining your welcome offer eligibility, Amex may also consider other factors, including the number of American Express cards you have opened and closed and whether you've held other Amex-issued Delta cards.
Luckily, Amex will notify you if you aren't eligible for the welcome offer and will allow you to withdraw your application before doing a hard pull on your credit. Make sure to pay close attention to any pop-up notifications or messages you receive as you go through the application process.
Related: Do you have a Delta Amex card? Here are 9 things you need to do
Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex benefits
Delta Gold Amex cardmembers get a first checked bag free and Zone 5 priority boarding when flying Delta. These benefits apply to the cardmember flying and up to eight companions on the same reservation. Additionally, you don't have to pay for the flights with the Delta Amex Gold Card for the free checked bag benefit to be applied.
Delta Gold Amex cardmembers also receive the following benefits:
- 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights
- An up to $200 Delta flight credit (after spending $10,000 in a calendar year)
- An up to $100 annual statement credit every calendar year for Delta Stays, Delta's hotel travel portal (must use your Delta Gold Amex to book)
- 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases (excluding Wi-Fi)
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
- Secondary car rental loss and damage insurance*, baggage insurance**, extended warranty** and purchase protection**
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
While managing an unforeseen charge is never ideal, the protections on this cobranded Delta card could help make a negative situation more tolerable. If you're a Delta loyalist and a high spender, the up to $200 Delta flight credit you can receive after spending $10,000 in a calendar year is a nice perk.
Related: How to maximize the statement credits on the Delta Amex cards
Earning miles on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
With the Delta Gold Amex, you'll earn Delta SkyMiles on purchases charged to your card as follows:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets
- 1 mile per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Based on TPG's January 2026 valuations of Delta miles, you'll get an effective return of 2.5% on eligible Delta purchases, dining at restaurants worldwide (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarket purchases and 1.3% on other purchases.
That's not bad, but not great, considering this card costs $150 annually after the first year $0 introductory annual fee.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees
Redeeming miles on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
The most obvious way to redeem Delta SkyMiles is to book award flights on Delta and its partners. Since Delta uses a dynamic award pricing system, redemption rates fluctuate widely. This means you can't really aim for a set number of miles to book a specific award. That said, the Delta SkyMiles program still has some sweet spots.
For example, one of the best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles is to book a SkyMiles deal. Delta frequently has mileage flash sales with significantly discounted economy and even Delta One award flights.
You can also redeem Delta SkyMiles to fly on Delta partner airlines, including SkyTeam alliance partners like Air France and Korean Air and nonalliance partners like WestJet.
TPG content operations managing editor Madison Blancaflor enjoys the card's benefits when flying Delta, such as discounts on Delta award flight redemptions and savings on inflight purchases.
Furthermore, you can redeem SkyMiles for many things other than flights — including premium drinks in Delta Sky Clubs. Most of these redemptions yield a lower return than when redeeming for flights.
Related: How to visit the Delta Sky Club with credit cards, elite status and more
Which cards compete with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
If getting your first checked bag free and priority boarding when flying Delta for a low annual fee are your main motivators, the Delta Gold Amex is probably your best option. However, another card may be better if you have different goals:
- If you want flexible rewards: The American Express® Gold Card earns American Express Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to Delta (and other loyalty programs). While it doesn't have perks specific to Delta and features a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), it earns bonus points on flights, dining and groceries. To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold Card.
- If you want to earn Delta Medallion elite status: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers similar Delta benefits as the Delta Gold Amex but also offers a fasttrack to status. To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta Platinum Amex.
- If you want Delta Sky Club access: With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you can get access to Delta's network of lounges (subject to limitations) and a companion certificate. For frequent Delta flyers, this card is likely the best fit. To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta Reserve Amex.
For additional options, check out our full list of best travel credit cards and best American Express cards.
Related: What credit score do you need to get Delta SkyMiles cards?
Bottom line
While it doesn't offer the high earning rates, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card can still worth it thanks to its welcome offer and valuable Delta-specific perks.
In fact, if you'd otherwise pay for a checked bag on Delta five or more times a year, this card more than pays for itself.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.