Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card review: Perfect for casual Delta travelers

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card overview

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card provides valuable elitelike benefits at an affordable price point for casual Delta flyers. These benefits, which include a first checked bag free and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions on your reservation when flying Delta, can easily justify opening and keeping this card, especially for infrequent 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is probably the best option for the occasional Delta flyer.

It packs in a lot of perks for a low annual fee: A $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 after that (see rates and fees).

I recommend a credit score of 670 or higher 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

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex welcome offer

For a limited time, the Delta Gold Amex offers new cardmembers 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends Oct. 23.

TPG's September 2024 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, making this welcome offer worth $960. This is the best-ever welcome offer we have seen on this card.

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 had a previous version in the past.

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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 messages you receive while going through the application process.

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex benefits

Delta Gold Amex cardmembers get a first checked bag free when they check in with Delta for flights that are both Delta-marketed and -operated, as well as priority boarding. These benefits apply to the cardmember flying and up to eight companions on the same reservation. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

On top of bags and boarding privileges, Delta Gold Amex cardmembers also get the following benefits:

• 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 with Delta Stays, Delta's hotel travel portal
• 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights
• 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases
• Secondary collision damage waiver*, baggage insurance**, extended warranty** and purchase protection**
• Complimentary ShopRunner membership
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

One TPG reader, Mark C, vouched via Facebook for the card's rental car coverage, recalling a positive experience dealt with while traveling: "[My] Amex Delta Gold covered a charge from Enterprise in France. Complete coverage handled quickly."

While managing an unforeseen charge is never ideal, the benefits of this Delta cobranded card could help make a negative situation more tolerable.

*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.

Related: How to maximize the new 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 on purchases made with Delta
• 2 miles per dollar on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S
• 2 miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
• 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases

Based on TPG's September 2024 valuations of Delta miles, you'll get an effective return of 2.4% on eligible Delta, restaurant (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarket purchases and 1.2% on other purchases. That's not bad, but not great, considering this card will cost $150 annually after the first year.

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 amount 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's content operations managing editor, Madison Blancaflor, enjoys the card's elitelike 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.

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 a different goal.

• 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 has a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), it earns bonus points on flights booked directly with an airline and on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. 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 earns 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar toward elite status for every eligible $20 spent. 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* and a companion certificate. For frequent Delta flyers, this card is likely a fantastic 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?

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter

Bottom line

Although it might not have the most lucrative earning rates, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card can still be worth picking up for travelers thanks to its welcome offer and Delta-specific perks. In particular, as long as you would otherwise pay a first checked bag fee to Delta at least five times each year, you'll come out ahead with this card.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Related: The best Delta credit cards

For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Amex, click here
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, click here
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here