Delta SkyMiles Gold Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card is best suited for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn Delta miles without committing to a higher annual fee. Its $150 annual fee is waived in the first year, which is the primary reason to choose it over Delta's Platinum or Reserve cards. If you expect to fly Delta only once in the next year, will be traveling solo, and want a quick welcome bonus with minimal ongoing cost, the Gold card can be a good option. Travelers who fly Delta regularly or travel with a companion will generally find more value in the Platinum or Reserve cards.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card can make sense if you fly Delta only occasionally and want a simple way to earn Delta miles. It offers a 50,000 (current special 70,000)-mile sign-up bonus after spending $2,000 (currently $3,000) in the first six months, while the annual fee is waived in the first year.
You also receive $100 in Delta Stays credits annually and $120 in annual rideshare credits, issued as up to $10 each month. Be aware that the rideshare credits are not available until 12 months after account opening. Starting in year 2, both of these can help offset the $150 annual fee beginning in year two.
Additional perks include:
- 15% discount on Delta award travel
- 20% off inflight purchases
- Zone 5 priority boarding
- First checked bag free on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 additional companions on the same reservation.
- Eligible Basic Card Members also get a second checked bag free on qualifying domestic Delta itineraries, but companions do not receive the second bag free unless they also have an eligible Delta Amex.
- $50 off flights (per 5,000 miles redeemed) when using Pay with Miles
Other considerations include:
- American Express allows only one sign-up bonus per card every seven years, and elevated offers appear periodically. If you're not in a rush, it may be worth waiting for a better bonus.
- The advertised $200 flight credit requires $10,000 in annual spending. We generally don't recommend pursuing this benefit, as that spending can often generate more value through a new card's welcome offer.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card may not be ideal if:
- You regularly fly Delta and would gain more from the better perks offered by the Platinum or Reserve cards.
- You’d prefer to wait for an elevated sign-up bonus.
What to Know About Delta SkyMiles
Delta is a good point system for both domestic and international flights.
- Delta offers many cards, making initial collection relatively easy. But the Amex 1/7 Rule limits that ability over time.
- Delta is part of the Amex partner reward system and is a decent transfer value.
- We save Delta points for specific flights, perhaps direct domestic or best value international.
- We use easier-to-collect point systems such as Southwest and American ahead of Delta.
How The Delta SkyMiles Gold Credit Card Fits In The Delta SkyMiles Ecosystem
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card is Delta's entry-level card for travelers who want more benefits than the no-annual-fee Blue card but don't fly often enough to justify the higher annual fees of the Platinum or Reserve cards.
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
- Annual Fee: $350
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 miles
- Who it's for: Our preferred Delta card for most travelers. The annual companion certificate and additional statement credits can easily justify the higher annual fee for anyone who flies Delta at least once per year with a companion.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
- Annual Fee: $650
- Sign-Up Bonus: 70,000 miles
- Who it's for: Frequent Delta flyers who value Delta Sky Club access, premium travel benefits, and a companion certificate that can be used for First Class travel.
- Delta SkyMiles Blue Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Sign-Up Bonus: 10,000 miles
- Who it's for: Travelers who want to earn Delta miles without paying an annual fee. We generally prefer the Gold card because the first-year annual fee is waived and the benefits are substantially better.
Be aware of the Delta Family Rule, which requires you to get Delta cards in the order of Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Reserve if you want to earn the welcome offer on each. We generally recommend skipping the Blue and starting with the Gold.
For most travelers, the Gold card is a solid first-year play thanks to its waived annual fee and welcome offer. However, those who fly Delta regularly, especially with a companion, will often get more long-term value from the Platinum or Reserve cards.
My Experience, No Filter
I actually like flying Delta overall, but I tend to lean toward Southwest for domestic trips because of the companion pass and free luggage. I got this card to give Delta a chance without too much commitment. It let me pick up a bunch of Delta points with no annual fee for the first year.
I used those points to fly to San Diego to visit my brother, checked my first bag free, and took full advantage of priority boarding. Because my return flight was so early, I also used the $100 Delta Stay Credit for a hotel with shuttle service, which made the morning much easier.
Instead of canceling the card when the $150 annual fee approached, I upgraded to the Platinum to get the companion pass without waiting a full year to earn it (you can read more in my Delta Platinum Personal write up).
I don’t think this card is for everyone, but if you want to test an Amex Delta card with minimal commitment, this is the best one to start with.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Delta SkyMiles Gold Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
Amex will decline your application if you already have 5 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a sixth
When applying for Delta personal cards, start with the lowest tiered card in the family to be eligible for the signup bonus on each remaining card
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
