Delta SkyMiles Gold Card vs. Amex Gold
Key takeaways
- The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and American Express® Gold Card each offer different perks, with the Delta card focusing on airline benefits and the Amex card having a broader range of travel and dining bonuses.
- While the Amex Gold has a higher annual fee, it also has the potential for higher earnings, especially for those who spend a lot on dining and groceries.
- Both cards have welcome bonuses, but the Delta SkyMiles Gold requires a lower spending threshold to earn it.
Picking a new credit card isn’t always easy, and that’s especially true when you’re trying to decide between the best airline credit cards and the best travel credit cards. With co-branded airline cards, you may have the chance to score frequent flyer perks, such as free checked bags and priority boarding. However, flexible travel cards tend to come with more general benefits, and you can use your points in a multitude of ways.
One common airline vs. travel card comparison is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card versus the American Express® Gold Card. Both of these credit cards can be lucrative in their own right. However, they both shine (and fall short) in different areas.
If you like the idea of both cards but can’t seem to decide between them, read on to learn more — including how each one could help you score free travel and other exciting perks.
Main card details
| Card | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of Card Membership. | Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening. |
| Rewards rate |
|
|
| Annual fee | $0 the first year, then $150 | $325 |
Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Amex Gold highlights
As you try to decide which one of these cards might work better for your needs, consider how each one stands out in the following categories:
Delta SkyMiles Gold
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At first glance, it might seem as if the Amex Gold card’s 60,000-point welcome offer would win out over the Delta SkyMiles Gold’s 50,000 miles. American Express Membership Rewards can be worth up to 2.0 cents each, making the American Express Gold Card’s 60,000-point welcome offer (earned after spending $6,000 in the first six months) worth $1,200.
Comparatively, the SkyMiles Gold card offers a 50,000-mile welcome bonus (after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months). This is worth about $600, based on our valuation of miles earned in the Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer program of 1.2 cents, on average.
However, it’s worth noting that SkyMiles Gold cardholders only have to spend $2,000 within their first six months of card opening to earn the welcome bonus, rather than spending $6,000 for the Amex Gold. That comes out to about $334 per month, compared to the Amex Gold’s much higher $1,000 monthly spending requirement. Because Delta SkyMiles Gold cardholders can earn back up to 30 percent of the spending requirement in miles value ($600/$2,000), compared to the Amex Gold’s 20 percent ($1,200/$6,000), this card has a slight advantage in this category.
Amex Gold
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The earning rate on the American Express Gold Card is far superior, considering this card gives you 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 spent (then 1X points) and on up to $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year (then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com and 1X points on everything else.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers a maximum of 2X miles in its bonus categories, which include Delta purchases, spending at U.S. supermarkets and purchases at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
Delta SkyMiles Gold
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The Delta SkyMiles Gold wins in this category, considering it charges a $150 annual fee, which is waived the first year.
While the rewards categories above are important, you’ll spend a lot more to carry the Amex Gold Card than you will the Delta SkyMiles Gold. And, the Amex Gold Card’s $325 annual fee isn’t waived the first year.
Tie
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Both cards tie in this category; neither one charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States.
Which card earns the most?
The amount of rewards you can earn depends on your spending habits and the way you use your card. However, the following spending example shows how much an average family might earn with either card:
Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Amex Gold spending example
Imagine you’re the average family of four with two kids ages 12 and 13. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), you might spend an average of $17,436 per year ($1,453 per month) on groceries while following a moderate budget. Let’s also imagine you spend $4,800 per year ($400 per month) on dining out (including takeout and delivery), $4,000 on flights booked directly with Delta each year and $12,000 per year ($1,000 per month) on miscellaneous purchases. Plus, you only use the Delta SkyMiles Gold or Amex Gold for all of your spending.
With the Delta SkyMiles Gold, you would earn 64,472 miles—worth approximately $774 within a year — at a 1.2 cents average point valuation:
- 34,872 miles on U.S. supermarket spending
- 9,600 miles on dining out
- 8,000 miles on Delta flights
- 12,000 miles on other spending
With the American Express Gold Card, you would earn 112,944 Membership Rewards points — worth up to $2,259 — within a year, at a 2.0 cents average point valuation:
- 69,744 points on U.S. supermarket spending
- 19,200 points on dining out
- 12,000 points on Delta flights
- 12,000 points on other spending
Even after accounting for the Amex Gold’s $325 annual fee, your annual earnings could still be worth up to $1,934, notably higher than the Delta SkyMiles Gold’s $774 amount.
Why should you get the Delta SkyMiles Gold?
With the prior spending example set aside, there are other compelling reasons to pick up the Delta SkyMiles Gold. Consider the following benefits and how they might work in your favor.
Why should you get the Amex Gold?
While it charges a $325 annual fee, there are plenty of reasons the Amex Gold is well worth it. Consider the following perks the card offers:
The bottom line
There are plenty of reasons to consider either of these popular travel credit cards, but the right option for you boils down to the annual fee you’re comfortable with and the perks you want the most. While the Delta SkyMiles Gold stands out in terms of the Delta-specific benefits and welcome bonus, the Amex Gold offers a better earning rate on everyday purchases, more flexible rewards and dining-related perks.
Note that if you haven’t had these cards already, you could potentially sign up for both and get the best of both worlds. There are also other American Express credit cards to check out, as well as a handful of Delta Air Lines credit cards worth exploring.
