Last Updated: July 16, 2025

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has long been a popular choice for frequent Delta flyers seeking solid travel benefits without breaking the bank. With its current 80,000-mile welcome bonus and first-year fee waiver, this mid-tier Delta card presents compelling value for the right traveler.

But is it worth the $150 annual fee that kicks in after year one? We'll break down everything you need to know about this card's benefits, drawbacks, and whether it deserves a spot in your wallet.

Current Welcome Bonus: 80,000 Miles Worth $920

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card currently offers its best-ever welcome bonus: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This matches the highest offer in the card's history, making now an excellent time to apply.

With Delta miles valued at approximately 1.15 cents each, this bonus is worth roughly $920 in travel value. The spending requirement is reasonable at just $500 per month over six months, making it achievable for most cardholders.

Apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Annual Fee and Introductory Offer

One of the card's strongest selling points is its $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. This gives you a full year to test the card's benefits and determine if the annual fee provides enough value for your travel patterns.

Compared to other airline credit cards in this category, the $150 fee sits on the higher end but comes with more comprehensive benefits than many competitors.

Earning Structure: Bonus Categories That Matter

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card shines in everyday spending categories that extend well beyond airline purchases:

2x Miles Per Dollar

• Delta purchases made directly with the airline
• Restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• U.S. supermarkets

1x Mile Per Dollar

• All other eligible purchases

This earning structure makes the card valuable even when you're not flying. The restaurant and supermarket categories are particularly useful for accumulating miles through daily spending.

Key Benefits: What Makes This Card Stand Out

Free Checked Bag for You and Companions

First checked bag is free for you and up to 8 other passengers traveling on the same reservation. This benefit alone can save a family of four $280 on a round-trip Delta flight, easily justifying the annual fee for families who check bags regularly.

Priority Boarding

Enjoy Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights, giving you early access to overhead bin space and time to settle in before the main boarding groups.

15% Discount on Award Redemptions

15% off award redemptions for Delta flights (when paying taxes and fees with this card and booking through delta.com or the Fly Delta app). This discount doesn't apply to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees, but it can provide meaningful savings on Delta-operated award flights.

$200 Delta Flight Credit

After spending $10,000 in purchases during a calendar year, you'll receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit toward future travel. While the spending threshold is high, frequent spenders can benefit from this valuable credit.

In-Flight Purchase Discounts

Save on in-flight purchases like Wi-Fi, food, and beverages when you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

Notable Limitations and Drawbacks

No Lounge Access

Unlike previous versions of this card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card also no longer offers access to Delta Sky Club lounges. For lounge access, you'll need to upgrade to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

Limited Transfer Partners

Delta SkyMiles have a reputation for limited redemption flexibility compared to transferable point currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express® Membership Rewards. While Delta's own award chart offers good value, you're locked into the Delta ecosystem.

Foreign Transaction Fees

The card charges foreign transaction fees, which can add up for international travelers. If you frequently travel abroad, consider pairing this with a no foreign transaction fee credit card.

High Spending Requirement for Flight Credit

The $10,000 spending threshold for the $200 Delta Flight Credit means many cardholders won't reach this benefit, limiting its practical value.

Who Should Consider This Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card works best for:

• Frequent Delta flyers who can maximize the checked bag benefit and priority boarding
• Families who regularly check multiple bags and travel together
• Restaurant and grocery spenders who want to earn bonus miles on everyday purchases
• Travelers seeking value without paying premium card annual fees

Consider looking at the Delta Platinum vs. Reserve comparison if you're debating between Delta's mid-tier and premium offerings.

Alternatives to Consider

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Offers more transfer flexibility with valuable partners and better overall value for non-Delta loyalists. Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review for details.

American Express® Gold Card

Provides higher earning rates on dining and groceries with transferable points. Our American Express® Gold vs Platinum comparison breaks down the differences.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Offers a companion certificate and enhanced benefits for frequent Delta travelers. Check our guide on choosing the best Delta credit card for a comprehensive comparison.

How to Maximize Your Delta Gold Card Value

Leverage Dining and Grocery Spending

Use this card for all restaurant and supermarket purchases to maximize your 2x earning rate. These are high-frequency spending categories for most people.

Book Award Flights Strategically

Always book Delta award flights through delta.com or the Fly Delta app using your card to earn the 15% discount. This can save hundreds of miles on expensive redemptions.

Take Advantage of Companion Benefits

The free checked bag benefit extends to up to eight companions on the same reservation, making this card particularly valuable for group travel.

Monitor Delta Promotions

Delta frequently offers bonus mile promotions that can accelerate your earning when combined with card spending.

The Bottom Line: Is the Delta Gold Worth It?

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card delivers solid value for Delta loyalists, especially with its current elevated welcome bonus and first-year fee waiver. The free checked bag benefit alone can justify the annual fee for families, while the bonus earning categories help accumulate miles on everyday spending.

However, this card works best as part of a broader points and miles strategy rather than your sole travel card. The lack of lounge access and limited transfer options mean you'll want to complement it with more flexible earning cards.

Apply now to take advantage of the historic 80,000-mile welcome bonus while it's available.

Get the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Want to dive deeper into Delta's loyalty program? Check out our complete guide to Delta SkyMiles or explore Delta's newest lounge offerings.