Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review 2025
Trending: Affordable Delta Rewards for Occasional Flyers
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a cost-effective choice for casual Delta Air Lines flyers who want practical travel perks without a steep annual fee. With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $150), a generous welcome bonus, and benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, it’s ideal for those who fly Delta a few times a year and want to maximize value on a budget. However, its rewards earning is limited outside Delta purchases, and it lacks premium perks like lounge access. This review, current as of September 9, 2025, details the card’s features, pros, cons, and ideal users to help you decide if it fits your travel and spending habits. Always verify terms with the issuer, as benefits may change.
Key Features and Benefits
Welcome Offer
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Offer ends October 29, 2025.
- Value: Approximately $920 (The Points Guy’s 1.15 cents/mile valuation) to $1,040 (US Credit Card Guide’s 1.3 cents/mile, September 2025). The $3,000 threshold is achievable for everyday spenders, making it one of the best Delta card bonuses for moderate budgets.
Earning Rates
- 2 miles per dollar on:
- Eligible Delta purchases (flights, Delta Vacations®).
- U.S. purchases for restaurants (including takeout and delivery).
- U.S. supermarket purchases.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- Note: No annual caps on bonus categories, but the lack of broader travel or business categories makes it less versatile than cards like the American Express® Gold Card (4x on restaurants/supermarkets) or Chase Sapphire Preferred® (2x on travel).
Annual Fee and Rates
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $150.
- Regular APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable, based on creditworthiness.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None, great for international travel.
- Cash Advance Fee: $10 or 5% of each transaction, whichever is greater.
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% for late/returned payments ($40 fee).
- No Intro APR: Not ideal for carrying balances.
Statement Credits and Perks (Up to $450 in Annual Value)
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: Earn after spending $10,000 in a calendar year, potentially covering the $150 fee.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Up to $100 annually for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays.
- 15% Off Award Travel: Save 15% on Delta award flights booked via delta.com or the Fly Delta app (excludes partner flights, taxes, fees).
- Total Potential Value: Up to $300 in credits, plus ~$150 in free checked bag savings for a family of 4 round-trip ($37.50 per bag).
Travel and Delta Perks
- Free Checked Bag: First bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on Delta flights (~$150 savings for 4 round-trips, assuming $37.50 per bag).
- Priority Boarding: Zone 5 (Main Cabin 1) for you and up to 8 companions, ensuring overhead bin space.
- 20% In-Flight Savings: Statement credit on Delta in-flight purchases (food, drinks, entertainment).
- Amex Offers: Access to rotating discounts, e.g., $10 back on $50+ Delta purchases or $5 back on $15+ streaming services (varies by user).
- No Lounge Access: Unlike the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card, no Delta Sky Club or Centurion Lounge entry.
- No Elite Status Boosts: Lacks Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) accelerators for Delta status.
Protections
- Baggage Insurance: Up to $1,250 for carry-on, $500 for checked bags.
- Car Rental Coverage: Secondary, up to $50,000 for damage/theft (excludes some countries).
- Purchase Protection: Up to $1,000 per item, $50,000/year for damage/theft within 90 days.
- Extended Warranty: Adds 1 year to eligible warranties of 5 years or less.
- Return Protection: Up to $300/item, $1,000/year if merchant refuses returns.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| $0 intro annual fee (then $150), offset by up to $450 in credits/benefits. | Limited earning rates outside Delta, restaurants, supermarkets. |
| Strong 80,000-mile welcome bonus (~$920–$1,040 value). | No lounge access or elite status boosts. |
| Free checked bag and priority boarding for up to 9 travelers. | $10,000 spend for flight credit may be tough for low spenders. |
| No foreign transaction fees; decent protections. | No intro APR; high penalty APR for late payments. |
Who Should Get This Card?
- Ideal For: Occasional Delta flyers (3–6 trips/year) with moderate spending ($3,000–$10,000 annually) who value free bags, priority boarding, and credits. The $300 credits and ~$150 bag savings can yield $450+ in value, exceeding the $150 fee after year one. Perfect for those near Delta hubs (e.g., Atlanta, NYC, Minneapolis) or who book Delta Stays.
- Example: A family flying Delta 4 times yearly, spending $3,000 in 6 months, could recoup ~$1,370 (bonus + credits + bags), making the card a budget-friendly win.
Who Should Skip It?
- Not For: Non-Delta flyers or those seeking flexible rewards. Cards like the American Express® Gold Card ($325 fee, 4x on dining/supermarkets) or Chase Sapphire Preferred® ($95 fee, 2x on travel) offer better earning and transfer options to multiple airlines, including Delta.
- Also Skip If: You fly Delta less than 3 times/year or can’t hit $10,000 spend for the flight credit, as the fee may outweigh benefits.
Application Tips
- Credit Score Needed: Good to Excellent (670–850, FICO).
- Amex Rules: Welcome bonus is once-per-lifetime per card; ineligible if you’ve previously held this card. Amex allows one credit card approval per day and is lenient with hard pulls for established credit (6+ months history).
- Timing: Apply by October 29, 2025, for the 80,000-mile bonus, among the highest historically offered.
Comparison to Alternatives
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: $350 fee, 100,000-mile bonus, annual companion certificate, MQD boosts for status seekers. Better for frequent Delta flyers chasing Medallion tiers.
- American Express® Gold Card: $325 fee, 60,000-point bonus, 4x on restaurants/supermarkets, $240 in dining/travel credits. Suits foodies and flexible travelers.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: $95 fee, 60,000-point bonus, 2x on travel, transferable points to Delta and others. Ideal for low-fee, versatile rewards.
Final Verdict
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card earns a 4.2/5 for casual Delta flyers who can leverage its $300 credits, free checked bags, and 80,000-mile bonus to generate $900–$1,400 in value, easily offsetting the $150 fee after the first year. Its simplicity suits budget-conscious travelers, but limited earning and no lounge access make it less appealing for frequent flyers or non-Delta users. Apply by October 29, 2025, to secure the bonus—terms apply. Pay in full to avoid the high 20.24%–29.24% APR. For details, visit American Express or call 1-800-528-4800.