Bottom Line

We highly recommend this card, but wait until there is a "limited time offer" so you're getting significantly more than the regular 35,000 point bonus. Remember that Amex cards will give you just one bonus "per lifetime" (at least ten years) so be patient until you get a juicier bonus offer. You can also roll up points by referring friends, so it might be one worth getting this card for the referral bonuses alone. And with the 10,000 anniversary points, this card is just about break even against the annual fee.

Why You Might Want This Card

Look For A Special Offer To Add This Card

We like this card as one of the top two options for the Delta Amex family. You get a bunch of perks with no annual fee for the first year. That includes the sign-up bonus points after reaching your minimum spending requirement, plus a $50 statement credit after making any Delta purchase within the first 3 months. Then add on one free checked bag, priority boarding for you and up to 8 companions, discount Sky Club Access, and a 10,000 point bonus on your anniversary date (which basically pays for your $99 annual fee). This is a card you'll want to jump on when there is a limited time offer. You'll normally earn 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months, but special offers are usually double that.

Check out our Delta SkyMiles page for more details on how to best use Delta Points.

Exceptions To The Rule

About Delta SkyMiles

• Delta SkyMiles are super easy to accumulate with American Express cards, whether they're specific for earning SkyMiles or American Express cards that have completely transferable and instant 1:1 ratio Amex points.

Redeeming SkyMiles isn’t difficult, but you might find that their value isn't as high as you'd think -- especially if you do a side-by-side comparison with our personal favorite, United. Delta’s redeeming quality, however, is the fact that they fly to over 325 locations. So sometimes when you want to go somewhere that United doesn't, you’ll find Delta’s got your back.

When Delta removed its online reward charts in 2015, no one was happy. Now, the more flexible you are, the more value you can squeeze out of your Miles -- especially when Delta runs one of its regular award sales that offer some deep discounts in economy and Delta One.

But the real ace up the sleeve here is booking international Business or First Class using alliances like China Eastern or one of their non-alliance partners like Virgin Atlantic. This can be done for fewer points than if you booked directly through the Delta website -- as long as the flight is operated by Delta, Delta Connections or Virgin Atlantic. Searching around for Delta’s flash sales based on region or utilizing one of their partners can get you a pretty impressive trip.

Where Delta SkyMiles Gold Fits In This Point Ecosystem

Personal Experience