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Card reviewAmerican Express
Updated Apr 16, 2026 · research
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
American ExpressDelta SkyMilesEditorially reviewed

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Earn Delta SkyMiles on everyday purchases and enjoy travel benefits including a first checked bag free on Delta flights, a $200 Delta flight credit, and no foreign transaction fees.

Mid TierPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: good
$150
Annual fee
2x miles delta purchases
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

80,000 miles

$960 estimated value

Spend $2,000 in 180 days

issuer website
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Card Offers

public

80,000 miles

$960 estimated value

Spend $2,000 in 180 days

issuer website

Earning Rates

Delta purchases
2xmiles

Purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines

Restaurants
2xmiles

Worldwide restaurant purchases

U.S. Supermarkets
2xmiles

Purchases at U.S. supermarkets

All other purchases
1xmiles

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • First checked bag free for the cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation, saving up to $35 per person per way on Delta flights.
  • Annual fee is waived for the first year, lowering the cost of entry for new cardholders.
  • Earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • No foreign transaction fees, making the card practical for international travel.
  • Welcome bonus of 80,000 miles after $2,000 in spend within the first 180 days, valued at approximately $960.

Cons

  • The $200 Delta flight credit requires $10,000 in annual spend to unlock, which may not be attainable for all cardholders.
  • Miles are locked into the Delta SkyMiles program, limiting redemption flexibility compared to transferable points cards.
  • Priority boarding is mid-level (Zone 4), not top-tier, so Medallion members and premium cabin passengers still board ahead.
  • Car rental and baggage insurance are secondary coverage, meaning personal insurance must be exhausted first.
  • No lounge access benefit, unlike higher-tier Delta American Express cards.

Key Takeaways

  • The annual fee is waived the first year, making the card essentially free to try for 12 months.
  • Free first checked bag for up to nine travelers per reservation can quickly offset the $150 annual fee for Delta flyers.
  • The $200 flight credit requires $10,000 in annual spend to unlock and does not appear automatically.
  • Miles earned are Delta SkyMiles only, with no option to transfer to other loyalty programs.
  • The 80,000-mile welcome bonus requires just $2,000 in spend over 180 days.

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee

Waived first year

$150
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
20.99% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
29.99%
Penalty APR
29.99%May apply if you pay late

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

7 benefits

Travel Insurance

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Statement Credits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

Companion Bag Savings Add Up Fast

The first checked bag free benefit extends to up to eight companions on the same reservation, not just the cardmember. For a family of four taking a round trip, this can translate to over $280 in savings from a single trip.

Trip Delay Insurance for Meals and Lodging

If an eligible Delta flight is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay, the card can reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses like meals and lodging up to $500 per trip. Many travelers overlook this benefit when delays occur.

Baggage Insurance Covers Carry-On Items Too

The card's baggage insurance plan covers not just checked bags but also carry-on luggage for loss, damage, or theft when the fare is charged to the card. Carry-on coverage goes up to $1,250, which is useful for travelers carrying electronics or valuables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?
The annual fee is $150 per year. However, the fee is waived entirely for the first year, so new cardholders pay nothing until year two.
What welcome bonus does this card currently offer?
New cardholders can earn 80,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 180 days of card membership. This bonus has an estimated value of approximately $960.
How does the first checked bag free benefit work?
The primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation can check their first bag for free on Delta-operated flights. Your SkyMiles number must be on the reservation, or the fare must be paid with the card. Note that this benefit does not apply to all fare classes and is limited to Delta-operated flights.
How do I earn the $200 Delta flight credit?
You must spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within a single calendar year to unlock the $200 Delta flight credit. The credit is not automatic and only appears after the spending threshold is reached. It can be applied toward future Delta purchases.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States, making it suitable for international travel.
What credit score is needed to apply for this card?
This card is generally targeted at applicants with good credit. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on a variety of factors assessed by American Express at the time of application.
What are the purchase APR ranges for this card?
The purchase APR ranges from 20.99% to 29.99%, depending on creditworthiness. The cash advance and penalty APR are both 29.99%.
What kind of travel insurance does this card include?
The card includes trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, and car rental loss and damage insurance. Trip delay coverage applies when an eligible flight is delayed by more than 6 hours, reimbursing reasonable expenses up to $500 per trip. Baggage coverage is supplemental and secondary to the carrier's liability.
Does the card offer lounge access?
Based on the available card data, Delta SkyClub lounge access is not listed as a benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. Lounge access is generally a feature of higher-tier Delta Amex cards.
Can I use this card to earn miles at grocery stores?
Yes. The card earns 2 miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, making it a useful option for everyday grocery spending within the Delta SkyMiles ecosystem.

About This Card

This card is best for frequent Delta flyers who check bags regularly and want to offset the annual fee through travel perks. It also suits everyday spenders who want to accumulate Delta SkyMiles on dining and grocery purchases.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a mid-tier travel rewards card issued by American Express in partnership with Delta Air Lines. Cardholders earn Delta SkyMiles on purchases, with elevated rates on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. Key benefits include a first checked bag free on Delta flights, a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees. The card carries a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 per year.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card stands out among mid-tier airline cards by waiving its $150 annual fee the first year and extending the free first checked bag perk to up to eight travel companions on the same reservation, a benefit breadth rarely matched at this price point.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

80,000 miles, worth about $960 estimated value, with a $150 annual fee.

Spend $2,000 in 180 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

Reward Program

Delta SkyMiles

Earns Miles

Learn more

Card Categories

TravelAirlineDeltaNo Foreign Transaction FeeRewards

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

We collect card details from official issuer pages, then verify them through editorial review.

Last updated:

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 0 of 7 benefits rated high confidence
  • 0 of 1 offer verified
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Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

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