Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

This card may not be ideal if:

• You plan to fly Delta only this year and have no loyalty to the airline afterward. Once the first-year fee waiver ends, the card’s limited benefits may not justify the $150 annual fee.
• 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 targeted offer — Amex currently advertises this card's bonus as high as

80,000 miles, and offers vary.

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.

Delta offers a family of personal co-branded cards, each designed to match different travel patterns and preferences:

• Delta SkyMiles Gold Card($150 annual fee, waived first year)
• Best for occasional Delta flyers (once per year)
• Sign-up offer as high as 80,000 miles with $2,000 spend in first 6 months (offers vary)
• Basic benefits include free first checked bag and priority boarding

The Gold card occupies the middle position in Delta's card lineup, offering more benefits than the no-annual-fee Blue card but fewer perks than the premium options. Here's how it compares to Delta's other offerings:

• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardserves as the flagship product with a $650 annual fee. This premium option targets loyal Delta customers who fly multiple times yearly. It currently offers a fixed welcome bonus of two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates plus bonus miles (not a mileage ceiling) and premium benefits including:
• First-class companion certificate
• Complimentary Sky Club access
• Multiple statement credits to offset the annual fee
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum Cardbridges the gap between Gold and Reserve with a $350 annual fee and a sign-up bonus of up to 90,000 miles (offers vary). This card delivers excellent value for annual Delta flyers, particularly those traveling with companions, thanks to its:
• Annual companion certificate (main cabin)
• Enhanced earning rates on Delta purchases
• Additional travel benefits beyond those offered by the Gold card
• Delta SkyMiles Blue Card represents the entry-level option with no annual fee but offers minimal value with just a 10,000 mile bonus and few meaningful perks. We rarely recommend this card due to its limited benefits.

For most travelers, the Gold card represents a solid entry point into the Delta ecosystem, especially during the first year when the annual fee is waived. However, those who fly Delta more than once annually should carefully consider whether the Platinum or Reserve cards might deliver better long-term value despite their higher annual fees.

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.