Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after your first Card renewal when you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required. ‍
• Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.‍
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

If you want to squeeze the most value out of this card, your best bet is to use it for Delta flights, hotels, and when chasing elite status.
‍

[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Using miles for merchandise or gift cards [.dontreco]
‍
The value here is… rough. You’ll usually get less than 1 cent per mile, which isn’t great.

[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Using miles for Pay with Miles bookings [.sometimesreco]

This gives you about 1 cent per mile, which is decent, especially for last-minute travel, but it’s not the most valuable way to redeem.
‍

[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Booking award flights (especially international or partner redemptions) [.alwaysreco]

You’ll get the best bang for your miles when you redeem them for flights, especially in premium cabins or with partners like Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.

Delta doesn’t use a traditional transferable currency like American Express Membership Rewards, meaning you earn Delta SkyMiles directly. But you can still use your SkyMiles on Delta’s partner airlines through the SkyTeam alliance and other global partners. A few of the airlines you can book using your SkyMiles include Air France, KLM, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, and others.

1. The Delta Fan

‍If you mostly fly Delta and want to save money without going all-in on status, this card could be perfect for you. You’ll get perks like free checked bags and priority boarding without the steep annual fee of Delta’s higher-tier cards. It’s perfect if you want some special treatment without shelling out for lounge access or MQD boosts.

2. The Occasional Traveler

‍If you take a couple of trips a year (maybe a summer vacation, a few holidays, or a weekend getaway) this card can easily earn its keep. The baggage perk alone can save you some solid cash. In short, you don’t need to fly often to get real value here.And maybe you're new to travel cards? The SkyMiles Gold is an easy entry point. The first-year annual fee is waived, the benefits are simple, and you’ll start racking up Delta miles quickly on flights, dining, and groceries. It’s a great way to test the waters without overcommitting.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is low, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Delta Gold Amex, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

A good to excellent credit score of is recommended for the Delta Gold Amex. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. The worst they can say is “no,” and more often than not, we’ve found these people want to help!