Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0 introductory first year, then $150
• APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Rewards: 2X miles on Delta, restaurants & supermarkets, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after $2,000 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Frequent Delta flyers, families who value checked bag savings
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (690+)

Overview

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the perfect entry point for frequent Delta travelers who want premium benefits without a hefty annual fee. With 2X miles on Delta purchases, dining, and supermarkets, plus valuable perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, this card can easily pay for itself with just a few Delta flights per year.

Built for travelers who fly Delta regularly but don't need ultra-premium benefits, the Gold Card delivers the essentials that matter most: earning bonus miles on everyday spending, saving on baggage fees, and boarding the plane early. The first-year fee waiver makes it risk-free to try, and the $200 Delta credit after $10,000 spend provides additional value for frequent spenders.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: While this card allows balances, paying in full maximizes rewards value and avoids interest charges.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• Free First Checked Bag: Save $35 per bag per person on domestic Delta flights (up to 9 passengers on same reservation)
• Priority Boarding: Board in Main Cabin 1 on Delta flights
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
• Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage for qualified delays
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Protection for qualified trip disruptions
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage worldwide
• Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage for qualified accidents
• Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency assistance while traveling

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Free Employee Cards: Add authorized users at no cost

Delta-Specific Benefits

• $200 Delta Statement Credit: After $10,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year
• 20% In-Flight Savings: On eligible Delta in-flight purchases
• Earn Toward Medallion Status: Miles earned count toward Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs)

Rewards & Points

• 2X SkyMiles on Delta purchases
• 2X SkyMiles at restaurants worldwide
• 2X SkyMiles at U.S. supermarkets
• 1X mile on all other purchases

Redemption Options:

• Book Delta award flights starting at 6,500 miles one-way for domestic travel
• Upgrade to Comfort+ or First Class using miles
• Book Delta Vacations packages
• Donate miles to charitable causes
• Transfer miles to other SkyMiles members (fees apply)

Miles never expire as long as you have activity in your SkyMiles account every 24 months.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 50,000 SkyMiles is typically worth $500–$700 in Delta award flights, or potentially more for premium cabin redemptions. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0 introductory first year, then $150
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of transferred amount (minimum $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% of cash advance amount (minimum $10)
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent Delta flyers who take 2+ Delta flights per year
• Families traveling together who benefit from multiple free checked bags
• Regular restaurant and grocery shoppers maximizing 2X earning
• Those new to Delta cards wanting to test benefits before upgrading
• Budget-conscious travelers who want premium perks without high annual fees
• Medallion Status seekers building MQDs through card spend

Not Good For

• Infrequent flyers who won't use free checked bags or priority boarding
• Non-Delta flyers who prefer airline flexibility
• Luxury travelers seeking Sky Club access (consider Reserve instead)
• Those wanting companion certificates (available on Platinum and Reserve)
• Balance carriers (high APR makes this expensive)
• Light spenders who can't reach the $10,000 threshold for Delta credit

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• First year free makes it risk-free to try
• Free checked bags save $70+ per round-trip flight for couples
• Priority boarding on all Delta flights
• 2X miles on dining and supermarkets maximizes everyday earning
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• $200 Delta credit after $10,000 spend adds significant value
• Miles count toward Medallion Status qualification
• 20% savings on in-flight purchases
• Miles never expire with regular account activity
• Comprehensive travel protections included

Cons

• $150 annual fee after first year requires justification
• 2X earning rate is modest compared to premium travel cards
• No airport lounge access included
• No companion certificate benefit
• $10,000 spend threshold for Delta credit is high
• SkyMiles are tied to Delta only (no transfer partners)
• Domestic redemptions can offer poor value per mile
• Priority boarding is lower tier than premium cards
• APR is high if you carry a balance

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $25,000 per year on typical expenses:

Benefits Value:

• Free checked bags (4 round-trips): $280
• Priority boarding: ~$100 value
• 20% in-flight savings: ~$40
• Total Benefits: ~$420

Net Annual Fee: $150 (after first year) - $420 in benefits = effectively -$270 (profit if you maximize benefits)

Total Value: 39,000 SkyMiles (worth $390–$550 in Delta flights) + $420 in benefits = $810–$970 in total value, minus $150 annual fee = $660–$820 net value.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly Delta at least 2–3 times per year
• You regularly check bags and value priority boarding
• You spend heavily on dining and groceries (2X categories)
• You want to earn toward Delta Medallion Status
• You appreciate the first-year fee waiver to test the card
• You can reach $10,000 annual spend for the Delta credit
• You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
• You're building SkyMiles for a specific Delta redemption goal

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly Delta less than twice per year
• You only travel with carry-on bags
• You prefer airline flexibility over Delta loyalty
• You want airport lounge access (not included)
• You need a companion certificate (Platinum/Reserve offer this)
• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR)
• You prefer transferable points over airline-specific miles
• You want premium luxury benefits beyond free bags

Apply Now

Apply for Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.