Pick the Gold Delta if you want Delta miles and a solid signup bonus.
We know that everyone's situation is unique and we aim to help you find the right product for you. We may receive compensation when you visit our partners' sites or are approved for their products. You can read more about how we maintain editorial independence and how we make money here.
- Get this card if… you’re a regular Delta flyer and you’re okay with not earning bonus miles for SkyMiles Medallion status.
- Pick something else if… you don’t fly Delta often, or you want increased earnings for SkyMiles Medallion status.
The Gold Delta SkyMiles is the entry-level offering in the Delta suite of American Express cards. Don’t let that fool you — the card offers a healthy signup bonus, helpful Delta perks and the same mile earnings as its siblings. As a sweetener, the card comes with a $0 annual fee for the first year.
| Product Name | Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Intro APR for Balance Transfer | 16.99% to 25.99%% Intro APR for 60 days of account opening (with whichever is greater, $5 or 3% balance transfer fee) |
| Balance Transfer Rate (not intro) | 16.99% to 25.99% variable |
| APR for Purchases ( Purchase Rate ) | 16.99% to 25.99% variable |
| Annual fee | $0 annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter) |
| Cash Advance Rate | 26.49% variable |
| Card Type | American Express |
| Interest Free Period The interest-free period on purchases is the period or number of days you do not have to pay interest on your card purchases. You will be charged interest either from the day you make a purchase or from the statement date, unless you pay the closing balance in full by the due date (or within the interest-free period) on your statement. | Up to 25 days |
| Returned Payment Fee | $38 |
| Foreign Currency Conversion Fee (AMEX) Foreign currency conversion fees are charged when you make a transaction that is converted by a credit card network, such as MasterCard, Visa or American Express, from Australian dollars to a foreign currency. You’ll also incur a currency conversion fee if you make a purchase or obtain a cash advance in Australian dollars while overseas or shopping online with a foreign merchant or financial institution. | 0% of transaction value |
| Minimum Credit Score | Fair (660-699) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years of age |
| Annual fee | $0 annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter) |
|---|---|
| Returned Payment Fee | $38 |
| Over The Credit Line Fee | $0 |
| Late Payment Fee | $38 |
| Cash Advance Fee | $5 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater |
The basics
When you book Delta flights as a SkyMiles member, you’ll get 5x miles. When you use your Gold SkyMiles card, you’ll get an additional 2x miles. All said, the Gold SkyMiles can bring your total haul up to 7x miles.
The Gold SkyMiles card will also bring you 2x miles on other Delta purchases, such as in-flight food and beverages. And it offers small perks to enhance your Delta flights — first checked bag free, priority boarding and 20% off Delta purchases (which you’ll receive as statement credit).
As you might have guessed, the Gold SkyMiles card is best for regular Delta flyers. You’ll accumulate miles anyway as a regular SkyMiles member, and the card simply sweetens the deal. So, scoop up the Gold SkyMiles card if Delta is your go-to airline; otherwise, consider a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Barclaycard Arrival Plus.
Gold Delta SkyMiles vs. Other Delta Cards
| Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card | Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card | Delta Reserve Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 p.a. | $195 | $450 |
| Signup bonus | 30,000 miles; $50 statement credit | 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles, 35,000 miles; $100 statement credit | 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles, 10,000 miles |
| Delta perks | Free first checked bag, priority boarding, 20% discount on Delta purchases | Free first checked bag, priority boarding, 20% discount on Delta purchases | Free first checked bag, priority boarding, 20% discount on Delta purchases |
| Mile earnings | 2x on Delta, 1x on all other eligible purchases | 2x on Delta, 1x on all other eligible purchases | 2x on Delta, 1x on all other eligible purchases |
| Miles Boost | None | Spend $25,000: 10,000 miles, 10,000 MQMsSpend $50,000: 10,000 miles, 10,000 MQMs | Spend $30,000: 15,000 miles, 15,000 MQMsSpend $60,000: 15,000 miles, 15,000 MQMs |
| Annual companion certificate | None | Domestic main cabin round-trip | Domestic first class or main cabin round-trip |
| Delta Sky Clubs | Reduced-price entry ($29) | Reduced-price entry ($29) | Complimentary entry |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None | None |
Each Delta card gives you similar basic benefits: The miles earnings are the same, and you’ll get small Delta perks like priority boarding.
There are big differences between the cards, though. To decide on one, consider how much you’ll spend on Delta flights and how much you care about SkyMiles status.
SIGNUP BONUS: The Gold card offers bonus miles only. The Platinum card offers bonus miles as well as Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). Curiously, the Reserve has a relatively small mile bonus — although it offers the most MQMs.
- Verdict: If you don’t care about MQMs, the Gold card is a good choice. The Platinum card has a good mix of miles and MQMs. The Reserve offers 10,000 MQMs, but you’d really be getting it for its powerful Miles Boost.
What are Medallion Qualification Miles?
Collect Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) to achieve higher Medallion Status tiers in the Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer program. You can also achieve higher status by collecting Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).
To learn more about Medallion Status, check out the Delta website.
MILES BOOST: The Platinum and Reserve cards pull away from the Gold card with Miles Boost — you’ll get more miles and MQMs based on your spending. But you have to spend a substantial amount to qualify: $25,000 for the Platinum and $30,000 for the Reserve. If you can exceed those spending thresholds, however, you could get to Silver status (which requires 25,000 MQMs) just by using your American Express card.
- Verdict: If you spend less than $25,000 a year, Miles Boost doesn’t matter and you should lean toward the Gold card. If you do exceed that spending threshold, the Platinum and Reserve become contenders. Now it’s just a matter of how much you spend yearly.
COMPANION CERTIFICATE: This perk might make a difference if you’re on the fence between the Gold and Platinum. Each year you renew your Platinum card, you’ll get a complimentary domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate. The Gold doesn’t offer one. Meanwhile, the Reserve gives you a companion certificate too — except you get one for either a main cabin or first class flight.
- Verdict: If you take a guest on a domestic round-trip flight at least once a year, the Platinum makes sense. It alone could make the $195 annual fee worth paying. Of course, the Reserve’s companion certificate is only an upgrade if you plan to take someone on a first class flight.
ANNUAL FEE: The Gold card has an intro annual fee of $0, and it costs $95 annually thereafter. The clearest line is between the Platinum and the Reserve: The former has a $195 annual fee, and the latter costs $450 annually.
- Verdict: Choosing between the Platinum and the Reserve comes down to how much you value MQMs and whether you’ll take advantage of the Reserve’s first class companion certificate.
DELTA SKY CLUBS: This is a cool sweetener that can break the tie. The Gold and Platinum cards offer reduced-price entry for $29, but the Reserve offers complimentary entry.
- Verdict: Consider whether you’ll use the Delta Sky Clubs. Paying $29 here and there might not hurt the wallet too much, but getting free entry could save you tons of money if you’re a Sky Club regular.
The perks
- SIGNUP BONUS: More miles.
Earn 30,000 miles if you spend just $1,000 within the first three months. Also, get a $50 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first three months.
- MILES: More miles on Delta purchases.
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases like flights tickets, food, beverages and movies. That’s on top of the 5x miles you get as a SkyMiles member. Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on other eligible purchases. Redeem miles for flights on Delta and Delta’s partner airlines.
- DELTA BENEFITS: Small perks to enhance your Delta flights.
Check your first bag free and get priority boarding when flying Delta. Get 20% off as statement credit when you make in-flight Delta purchases.
- INTRO ANNUAL FEE: No annual fee for the first year.
You’ll also like…
- Reduced price for Delta Sky Clubs. You can buy reduced-price entry into the Delta Sky Club for $29 — and bring up to two guests for $29 each. (Normally, a Single Visit Pass costs $59.)
You’ll find gems among the Delta Sky Clubs
Delta has been renovating their Sky Clubs, and you’ll find superb lounges in their portfolio. A few of the newer lounges include those at Newark Liberty International Airport and Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. Consider visiting the Sky Club at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which comes with an open-air Sky Deck.
A Single Visit Pass to a Delta Sky Club costs $59. With the Gold Delta SkyMiles card, you can buy a pass for $29.
- No foreign transaction fees. You can use your card internationally without incurring fees.
- Travel protection. You’ll have access to the American Express Global Assist Hotline and Roadside Assistance Hotline, which you can use if you find yourself in a pinch on vacation. Also, get complimentary car rental insurance.
- Purchase benefits. Get extended warranties and return protection on eligible items.
- Cardmember-only entertainment. As a cardholder, you’ll have access to exclusive events and ticket presales.
What to watch out for
- Annual fee. You’ll pay no annual fee for the first year, but you’ll start paying $95 annually starting the second year.
- Not as widely accepted overseas. Because the Gold Delta SkyMiles is an American Express card, you might not have as many opportunities to use it overseas as you would with a Visa or Mastercard.
- It hurts to pay late. Making late or returned payments could saddle you with a penalty APR as high as 29.99%. You may also incur late and returned-payment fees as high as $38.
Consider other cards if…
- You don’t fly often on Delta. The Gold Delta SkyMiles card is a good choice if you’re a regular Delta flyer. But you can only spend miles at Delta and Delta’s partner airlines. If you want flexible travel points, consider cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Barclaycard Arrival Plus. If you regularly fly on an airline other than Delta, consider a co-branded airline card.
- You want cash back. The Gold Delta SkyMiles card offers miles, not cash back. For cash back, go for a card like the Citi Double Cash or the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express.
Compare other American Express credit cards
What to know before you apply
If you want to apply for the Gold Delta SkyMiles card, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- A US resident
Always consider your options and your financial situation before you apply for a credit card.
What credit score do I need?
You’ll have a better chance of being approved for the Gold Delta SkyMiles card if you apply with a good to excellent credit score of 680 or higher.
How to apply for the card
1. On the American Express website, click Apply Now.
2. Fill out the application form. Provide information like your Social Security number, home address, income source and total annual income.
How long will it take to be approved?
Because conditional credit card approval is automated on the website, you can get a decision on your application within 60 seconds.
I got the card. Now what?
- Making payments. Register an account at the American Express website to pay your balance online. You can also enroll in autopay.
- Avoiding interest payments. After the close of each billing cycle, you have a grace period of 25 days to pay your balance. If you do, you won’t pay interest on your purchases.
- Avoiding fees. Late and returned payments come with hefty fees of up to $38. Balance transfers and cash advances also come with fees.
- Customer service. Help documents aren’t easily accessible on the American Express website, but you can call 800-528-4800 for customer service. According to market research company J.D. Power, cardholders give American Express high marks in customer interaction.
Bottom line
The Gold Delta SkyMiles card is a fairly robust entry-level airline card. Pick it if you’re a frequent Delta flyer and you don’t need miles for SkyMiles Medallion status.