Hustlermoneyblog has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Hustlermoneyblog and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Do you fly with Delta Airlines? Are you looking for a great airline credit card? The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is specially designed for travelers who often fly with Delta Airlines.
Enjoy the opportunity to earn a generous welcome offer of 35,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of opening. Plus, make every purchase and every flight with Delta count as you earn SkyMiles rewards for award flights, seat upgrades, and more.
This card comes with a few additional benefits such as one free checked bag per person in your reservation (up to 8 people), priority boarding, and 20% off certain in-flight purchases (movies, drinks, and meals).
Also, you will earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets; while also earning 1X mile on all other eligible purchases. As an added perk, the annual fee of $99 is waived for the first year.
* The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is issued by American Express. They also offer great sign-up bonuses for their credit cards. You can also compare this card with other credit card bonuses!
Table of Contents
- 1 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Summary
- 2 Editor’s Alternate Pick
- 3 Delta SkyMiles Gold Card 35k Bonus Miles
- 4 What Are Delta SkyMiles Worth?
- 5 Earn & Redeem Delta Skymiles
- 6 Why You Should Apply
- 7 Reasons to Consider
- 8 Reason to Reconsider
- 9 Other Delta SkyMiles Gold Benefits
- 10 Delta Skymiles Gold Top Features
- 11 Bottom Line
- 12 What’s The Competition?
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Summary
 |
| Bonus Available | Earn 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. |
| *Bonus Value | $420 |
| Travel Credit | Spend $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year and receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit. |
| Ongoing Rewards/Benefits | Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
Earn 1X mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases First Checked Bag Free on Delta flights for you and up to 8 guests on the same reservation. 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 Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights. 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets. |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | No |
| Airport Lounge Access | No |
| Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99. |
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by HustlerMoneyBlog and not the card issuer.
Recommended Free Credit Score (Get Free Score) 690 – 850 (Good – Excellent)
PROS
- Intro bonus offer
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
CONS
- Has an annual fee
- Good-Excellent credit needed to qualify
Editor’s Alternate Pick
 The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! You'll earn 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide; 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. And when you redeem your points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! |
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card 35k Bonus Miles
Take advantage of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card bonus miles introductory offer of 35,000 bonus miles. To qualify for this offer, you must spend the spend requirement.
Here are some ideas on meeting the minimum spending requirement:
| • Plastiq - Using Plastiq allows you to pay for your personal expenses such as rent, tuition, mortgage, auto lease etc. Although they charge a 2.5% processing fee for using your credit card, this will contribute to the card bonus that you will receive. There is also a referral program that allows you to earn "Free-Free Dollars" that goes towards processing fees as well. |
| • Funding Checking Accounts - When it comes to funding a checking account, opening your initial deposit with a credit card is the usual way to go about it. However, if you want to have more opportunities, you should open a checking account that offers a sign-up bonus. This allows you to work towards bonuses from not one but two different sources instead. Banks like Chase, Huntington Bank, TD Bank and BBVA offers credit card funding, and for your opening deposit, you can often fund anywhere from $50-$1000 with a credit card, depending on the bank. |
| • Gift Card Purchases With Using a Credit Card - Another way to acquire the bonus is using your credit card to purchase gift cards. Buying a a gift card or an individual merchant card typically do not require a purchase fee and are used towards leisure, so gift cards are ideal. However, gift cards such as a Visa or American Express do incur purchase fees because they can be spent anywhere, but gift cards that are specifically for a certain online shopping site such as Amazon or eBay don't. |
| As for a Citi Credit Card, you should call customer service and ask them to lower your Cash Advance limit to $0 before making any purchases because Citi tends to read gift card purchases as a Cash Advance. Ideally, you should do this with any card just to be safe. Lastly, there is such thing as a discounted gift card which can be purchased on Raise or eBay. If you use a credit card often for everyday purchases, it can build your credit score that will contribute towards paying for things such as bills and taxes. |
| |
What Are Delta SkyMiles Worth?
Similar to other airline-branded credit cards, the value of the miles you earn will depend on how you use them. Approximately, one Delta SkyMiles is worth $0.012. This is slightly valued higher than the industry average of $0.01 per point.
Here are some of the best ways to redeem your SkyMiles:
- Flights with Delta
- Flights with partner airlines
- Upgrades
- Hotel stays
- Car rentals
- Vacation packages
- Exclusive experiences
- Merchandise
- Gift cards
- Charity donations
To get the most out of your points, make sure you use them toward award flights through Delta or their partners.
SkyMiles SkyTeam & Non-Alliance Partners Include
- Aeroflot
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Air Tahiti nui
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- China Southern
- Czech Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- GOL
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Jet Airways
- Kenya Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Korean Air
- Mandarin Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudia Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Tarom Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
- WestJet
- Xiamen Airlines
Earn & Redeem Delta Skymiles
Earning miles is straightforward on this card. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Redeem miles for Delta and more than 15 partner airlines. As long as your account remains open and in good standing, miles accumulated with this card never expire.
Why You Should Apply
- Unlimited Discounts on Airport Lounge Access. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card membership entitles you and one traveling companion to unlimited discounts on Delta Sky Club single visit passes, which are good for one day at one Sky Club location. Cardholders and their companions get passes for $29 per person, compared with $59 per person at full price. Comparable airline rewards cards rarely offer such generous airport lounge deals.
- SkyMiles Can Be Valuable When Redeemed for Airfare. SkyMiles can be quite valuable when redeemed for Delta airfare. It’s reliably worth at least $0.075 per mile, often worth $0.01, and sometimes worth as much as $0.02. Keep in mind that point values can vary at redemption, even for the same routes, based on factors such as time, date, season, demand, and more.
- In-Flight Discounts. Delta’s in-flight 20% discount on in-flight purchases is a very nice perk. It’s particularly for travelers craving multiple refreshments or entertainment opportunities on longer flights. Receive savings in the form of a statement credit.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee. This benefit is always nice for frequent overseas travelers.
Reasons to Consider
- First Checked Bag Free. Save money with Delta for up to nine passengers traveling on the same reservation. This is the most generous companion bag policy of any airline credit card. Plus, save $50 or more on your next flight since bag fees start at $25 per person, each way. Even if you don’t travel often, it takes only two round-trip tickets to offset the card’s annual fee.
- Priority Boarding. Enjoy Zone 1 priority boarding on Delta and Delta Connection flights for up to nine passengers in the same reservation.
- Unlimited Discounts on Airport Lounge Access. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card membership entitles you and one traveling companion to unlimited discounts on Delta Sky Club single visit passes, which are good for one day at one Sky Club location. Cardholders and up to two companions get passes for $29 per person, compared with $59 per person at full price. Comparable airline rewards cards rarely offer such generous airport lounge deals.
- In-Flight Discounts. Delta’s across-the-board 20% discount on in-flight purchases is a very nice perk, particularly for travelers craving multiple refreshments or entertainment opportunities on longer flights. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature ($75 annual fee) and Chase United MileagePlus Explorer don’t offer such discounts.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee.
- Points Never Expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
- Travel and Shopping Perks. Get travel accident insurance, secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, 24/7 access global assistance, and shopping benefits purchase protection and extended warranty.
Reason to Reconsider
- Charges an Annual Fee. This card comes with a $95 annual fee, which sets it apart from fee-free travel rewards cards. Plus, it’s waived the first year.
- Has a Penalty APR. If you accidentally miss a payment or two with this card, the high penalty APR is apt to bite you.
- Low Point Values for Non-Airfare Redemptions. When it comes time to redeem your accumulated SkyMiles, Delta airfare is far and away offers the best bang for your buck. The general merchandise and gift cards available at the SkyMiles Marketplace often sell for 2 to 3 SkyMiles per $0.01 – in other words, SkyMiles are worth just $0.003 to $0.005 here.
- Non-Delta Purchases Have Limited Earning Power. If you use this card for general, everyday spending, you won’t rack up the rewards very quickly. Only Delta purchases earn more than 1 SkyMile per $1 spent, raising the investment (both in terms of time and money) necessary to earn a free flight.
- No Bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). In order to achieve Delta’s Medallion status, you need to earn MQMs. While you earn these MQMs by actually flying with Delta. If you want to earn them while on the ground, you will need to use the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express. Delta’s Medallion program is reserved for elite members. You’ll earn Medallion benefits ranging from seat upgrades, early boarding opportunities, to mileage bonuses.
- No Automatic Status Levels or Upgrades. You won’t get any special loyalty status levels. Those typically come with valuable perks such as discounts at partner hotels and accelerated point earnings.
- Not Widely Accepted Overseas. Because the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an American Express card, you may have limited opportunities to use it when traveling abroad. Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted.
Other Delta SkyMiles Gold Benefits
- Priority boarding on Delta Flights when you show your card. Find room for your carry-on bag and settle into your seat sooner.
- Online Year-End Summary organizes your finances. You can analyze your annual expenses in pie or bar charts, by categories like travel and restaurants. With your charges itemized in one place, the Online Year-End Summary is a great tool you can rely on to help prepare your taxes and manage your spending.
- First checked bag is free. It’s worth a saving of up to $50 on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Delta Sky Club access for you and two traveling companions. Get complimentary snacks and beverages, Wi-Fi access, satellite TV, newspapers and magazines, personalized flight assistance, private restrooms and more for a reduced fee.
- Rental coverage when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible auto rental. Just decline the collision damage waiver at the rental car counter. Get covered if the car is damaged or stolen. Exclusions and restrictions apply.
- Travel coverage when you travel more than 100 miles from home. You have 24/7 access to medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services, including medical and legal referrals, assistance with cash wires, passport replacement, missing luggage and more.
- Purchase protection helps protect eligible purchases made with the Card against accidental damage and theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase. Exclusions and restrictions apply.
- Extended warranty adds up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty when you use your American Express Card for eligible purchases. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less. Exclusions and restrictions apply.
Delta Skymiles Gold Top Features
American Express states that when you purchase tickets through Delta with this card, you’ll earn a minimum of 7 miles per dollar spent. Your general SkyMiles membership will earn 5 miles and the 2 extra miles are accrued with using the Gold Delta SkyMiles card for the purchase.
This card also earns 2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.
Spend $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year and receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit.
- Free checked bags. The first bag is free for you and up to 8 other people traveling on your reservation. Depending on the size of your family and how often you fly, this benefit can really be a substantial perk.
- Priority boading. Get Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights with this card.
Bottom Line
When using the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you will be able to earn miles for every dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and each dollar spent on your everyday purchases to later redeem for flights. Flying isn’t cheap and earning miles at such a quick rate can be a wise investment.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is equipped with first free checked bags, early boarding, and more discounts and savings that loyal Delta flyers can appreciate. Travel more with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and enjoy every time you fly Delta.
Due to poor non-Delta rewards and limited earning power outside the Delta universe, it’s not great for infrequent Delta flyers. Those looking for a general-spending credit card, review our complete list of credit card bonuses.
|
What’s The Competition?
 The American Express® Gold Card offers 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months. You'll have the opportunity to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points when you dine at restaurants worldwide & at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X); 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. This card has an annual fee of $250 with no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees). Some benefits including earning up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. In addition, a $100 Airline Fee Credit: up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees at one selected qualifying airline. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! You'll earn 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide; 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. And when you redeem your points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! |
 The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening (equal to $500 in travel). Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018. You're able to earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Plus earn 10X miles on thousands of hotels, through January 2020; learn more at hotels.com/venture. This card does come with a $95 annual fee, however, there is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. |
I applied this card when I saw 30,000 bonus miles. I am don’t know how much it worth when you use it to buy a airplane ticket but I know it worth less than $150 when you try to get cash or buy something online. Many small business do not accept AMEX so I think it is better to apply Freedom or any rewards card from Citi. Citi thank You card will give you $500: 50,000 points worth $500, not $200!
American Express refused to honor their promotion award after I had saved live chat confirmation of my eligibility. They offered a promotion of 50,000 miles, I accepted the offer, card was approved, eligibility confirmed on live chat, I used the card to meet the conditions, American Express benefitted from this usage, live chat confirmed that conditions were met and said miles would be applied to my FF account, and then American Express refused. Their live chat agents are untrained and useless. Any information from live chat is unreliable. It is a waste of time.
I applied for this card and just rec’d- don’t have any delta travel coming up in 3 months to make use of the $50 credit- do you think I can buy a delta gift card and get the credit- any other ideas? thanks!
RE:”do you think I can buy a delta gift card and get the credit- any other ideas? ”
$50 delta gc worked: , received $50 credit within days
Does this (or preferably the 50,000mile offer) work if I’ve had & closed am AMEX DElta card several years ago? thx
Any comment on companion passes with this card. I just got a special offer for this card with 50k bonus miles w/ 1k of purchases in the first three months. I think I’ll do it if they still have the yearly companion pass, but it appears they don’t because I can no longer find any mention of it.
can you please send me a paper order form to fill out?
You can fill it out by going through the application link in the post. Just click on it and apply.