MoneyGeek’s Take

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an ideal choice for frequent Delta flyers looking for a card that offers useful travel perks for a low annual fee. It is also a good option for individuals who want a credit card that will help them earn miles from day-to-day expenses. It offers no international transaction fees and an introductory $0 annual fee for the first year, then $99 for subsequent years.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 1/15/2023
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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Individuals looking for basic flyer perks, such as priority boarding and free first-checked bags, may find the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card benefits suitable for their needs. This credit card allows you to earn double miles from your daily expenses at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. An added benefit is the welcome offer of 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months. If you spend $10,000 in purchases within a calendar year, you get a $100 Delta flight credit.

Card Details to Know Up Front
  • Bonus, Fee or Feature
    Has or Not
  • Has Annual Fee
  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Travel Rewards
Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.
OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card at a Glance

Make the most of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card benefits by practicing good financial habits. You can use it for your everyday purchases at restaurants and supermarkets to earn double miles. This credit card is also good for international travel since it does not have foreign transaction fees.


  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

    A great credit card for individuals looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles

    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
    • $99Annual Fee
    • 1–2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
    • 2xRewards Rate on Dining

    Terms, rates and fees apply

    Compare this credit card with other top–rated cards from our partners.

Pros & Cons Explained

While the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card offers many benefits, it also has drawbacks. Before going through the American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Card application, make sure you understand these pros and cons first.

Pros

  • Benefits
    Description
  • No foreign transaction fee
    This credit card is great for international use because there are no foreign transaction fees.
  • $100 Delta flight credit
    If you spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year using this credit card, you can get $100 off your next Delta flight.
  • Basic Delta perks
    Cardholders can get their first checked bag for free and enjoy priority boarding on every Delta flight.
  • Up to 20% savings
    Making in-flight purchases using the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card allows the cardholder to save up to 20% in the form of a statement credit.

Cons

  • Drawbacks
    Description
  • High interest rates
    The APR for purchases of this credit card is high at 19.99% – 28.99%. Similarly, the APR for cash advances is also high, at 29.49%. The high interest rates can be a drawback if you do not pay your monthly bills in full.
  • High penalty APR
    This credit card also has a penalty APR for accounts with one or more late payments and those whose payments were returned. The interest rate is 29.99%.
  • Annual fee
    The $0 annual fee is only applicable in the first year. After that, you will be paying $99 annually.
  • No luxury benefits
    The travel perks for this credit card are limited to the basics. Other miles rewards cards have better premium benefits.
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

While a great basic miles card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is not among MoneyGeek’s selection for the best credit cards for rewards. If you are looking for a credit card with better travel perks, consider getting competing travel rewards cards.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

The different bonuses and rewards that come with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card make it an appealing option for many individuals. You can enjoy welcome bonuses, opportunities to earn miles and buy tickets by redeeming miles. Familiarize yourself with these features and compare them with other credit cards to ensure you are getting the right card for your needs.

1

Welcome bonus

As a welcome offer, new cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus miles if they make $2,000 worth of purchases within the first six months.

2

Earn and redeem miles

Using the card for day-to-day expenses allows you to earn miles, which can be used for flight ticket payments. Earn 2X miles at restaurants and supermarkets and on direct Delta purchases. For other eligible purchases, you can earn one mile for every dollar.

3

Introductory annual fee

The American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold card has an annual fee of $99. However, this is waived in the first year.

4

Delta flight credit

By spending a total of $10,000 in purchases in one calendar year, you will receive a $100 Delta flight credit that you can use on your next trip.

Other Features Explained

When choosing a credit card, it is important to consider your needs and circumstances. See if the features that they offer are beneficial for you. For instance, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has limited travel perks. However, it has security features and customer support services that can be useful to cardholders.

  • Card Feature
    Description
  • Extended warranty
    If you use the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card for covered purchases, you automatically get a one-year warranty extension added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. This applies to covered purchases in the U.S. with warranties of five years or less.
  • Purchase protection
    Using this credit card to pay for covered purchases gives you protection against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date you purchased the item.
  • Dispute resolution
    If you find a fraudulent or incorrect charge on your statement, American Express will help you resolve the issue.
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

"To get an idea of how many miles you will need to make a redemption with the miles you’ve earned, start searching Delta’s frequent flier program, Skymiles. A bonus goes a long way toward earning a free trip!" - Alene Laney, Credit Card Journalist

Understanding the Fine Print

Aside from the features, bonuses and offers, it is important to understand the fees, interest rates and reward earning rates. This way, you can determine whether it is a good addition to your wallet and will be helpful in managing your finances.

  • Card Feature
    Amount or Rate
  • APR
    19.99% – 28.99% Variable
  • Annual Fee
    $99
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Rewards Rate
    1–2 Miles per $1
  • Airline Benefits
  • This is an icon

    Interest rates

    The annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases made through the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card is 19.99% – 28.99%. The APR for cash advances, on the other hand, is 29.49%. Additionally, the APR for penalties for those with one or more late payments and those whose payments are returned by the bank is 29.99%. These rates are high, so you may want to make sure you can pay your bills in full every month. The APR varies with the market depending on the Prime Rate.

  • This is an icon

    Fees

    There is a $99 annual fee for this card. However, it is waived in the first year. There are no fees for foreign transactions. If you plan on using this card for balance transfers, keep in mind that there is a transaction fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. For cash advances, the transaction fee is either $10 or 5%. Penalty fees for late and returned payments are up to $40.

  • This is an icon

    Rewards rates

    Earning miles is easily achieved through day-to-day purchases. If you use the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, you can earn 2x miles at restaurants and supermarkets and on direct Delta purchases. Other eligible purchases let you earn 1x mile per dollar.

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WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

The different features, fees and offers can be found on the card issuer’s website. If you already have a credit card, you can check your latest billing statement, mobile app or online account. You can also find specific information about different credit cards using the credit card agreement database maintained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?

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Other Considerations for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

There are many factors to consider when choosing a credit card. One of these is how you will use it in the future. There are different drawbacks and advantages of using the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card as your first and only card compared to using it as an additional credit card.

Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

If you are thinking of using the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card as your first or only card, consider the purchases you will be making. You can use it at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets to earn double miles. However, it has a high APR. You can make this card work well for you if you can pay your bills in full monthly. Another option is to not use it for big purchases if you can’t pay it off regularly. If you travel, you can use this for international purchases without worrying about foreign transaction fees. You can also save money as it offers a free checked bag for each flight.

Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

If you have other credit cards, review the rewards and fees and see if there are some expenses you can shift to this credit card. For instance, the miles you can earn at restaurants, supermarkets and other eligible purchases may help you save on flights in the long run. If you need a card with no transaction fee for international purchases, you can also benefit from this credit card. Since this card has an annual fee, consider the pros it offers. Make sure the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card benefits outweigh the cons. For instance, if you plan on using it for many purchases totaling $10,000 in a year, you can get a $100 Delta flight credit. This can be a great way to earn back the annual fee.

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WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS

MoneyGeek’s methodology and review process includes the collection of information from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s database and the credit card companies to ensure accuracy of data. In evaluating each company, standardized points based on fees, bonuses and rewards are used. The process is done regularly to reflect the changes in credit card details and offers.

How Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Compares to Other Cards

Generally, the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card can compete with other cards in its category. It offers many opportunities to earn miles, along with basic travel perks, an affordable annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. However, it is important to shop around and compare features to ensure you are getting the best credit card based on your finances and needs.

In-Depth Credit Card Comparisons:
Quick Comparison of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

  • Annual Fee: $0 in the first year and $99 in subsequent years
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
  • Regular APR on Purchases: 19.99% – 28.99% variable
  • Welcome Bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus miles by spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months
  • Best For: Delta travelers looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles
creditCard1

United Gateway℠ Card

  • Annual Fee: $0
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
  • Regular APR on Purchases: 20.74% – 27.74% variable
  • Welcome Bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • Best For: United travelers looking for a no-annual-fee rewards card

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

Understanding all features of a credit card is crucial in making a decision. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to help you decide if it is right for you.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

Frequent travelers who think basic flight perks are enough and are more concerned about earning miles may find the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card a great option. However, other users may have other priorities when choosing the best credit card. Other types of credit cards, such as cash back cards, offer more rewards for consistent use. If you plan on using the credit card for your business, then a business credit card is more suitable for you.

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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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