Delta SkyMiles Gold Card: Rewards, Perks, Fees, and Who It Fits

Unlock travel value with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card. Earn miles on everyday spending, enjoy priority perks, and pay a $0 intro annual fee in year one, then $150. Terms apply.

,

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express is a solid pick if you’re into flying Delta and want some easy perks. You’ll earn miles on everyday stuff, get your first checked bag free on Delta, and board in Zone 5. With TakeOff 15, your award flights can cost fewer miles. There’s no annual fee the first year, then it’s $150 after that. No foreign transaction fees, which is great for trips abroad.

You also get a yearly Delta Stays credit, and bigger spenders can grab a Delta Flight Credit after hitting the spend threshold. You’ll earn extra miles at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and on Delta purchases. APRs are variable based on your credit. Overall, it’s great for occasional Delta flyers and families who check bags. Next up, we’ll dig into the rewards, fees, and key terms.

A man smiling while working on his laptop in an office environment. He is wearing a dark shirt and is focused on his task. In the top left corner, there is a Delta SkyMiles American Express Gold card with the name "C F Frost" and the card details.

How does the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card work?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card links everyday spending to Delta miles, so when you pay with the card, you automatically earn SkyMiles. Once earned, miles post to your Delta account and can, in turn, fund future Delta travel. Moreover, redemption is flexible for Delta flyers: you can book award flights on delta.com using miles, and you can also use Pay with Miles at checkout to offset ticket costs.

The card carries a $0 introductory annual fee in the first year; afterward, the annual fee is $150. Nevertheless, many travelers offset this fee through regular Delta use. Furthermore, there are no foreign transaction fees on international purchases, which makes the card practical for trips abroad and overseas bookings.

Cardholders can also add authorized users to concentrate household spending, so their purchases earn miles to the same SkyMiles account and can help you reach certain annual thresholds.

For convenience, you can manage your account in the Amex App, and Amex Offers may add targeted savings at select merchants. In some cases, Instant Card Number lets you start using the card immediately.

Meanwhile, travel protections can add peace of mind on trips: eligible purchases may receive baggage insurance protection, and car rental loss and damage coverage can apply when requirements are met.

Finally, financing features offer payment flexibility when needed. Plan It lets you split purchases into monthly installments for a plan fee, while standard variable APRs apply if you carry a balance.

What are the main advantages of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card?

  • A standout welcome offer helps you get flying sooner: earn 80,000 bonus miles after $2,000 in purchases within six months. That jump-starts your Delta balance for award travel.
  • You will save money on every Delta trip with baggage benefits: The first checked bag is free for you and your companions. Zone 5 priority boarding helps you secure overhead space earlier.
  • Your miles go further with TakeOff 15 on award tickets: cardmembers save 15% in miles on Delta-operated flights. The discount appears automatically when you book with miles.
  • Everyday spending earns useful rewards toward future trips: earn 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants. Earn 2X miles on eligible Delta purchases, plus 1X on other purchases.
  • Big spenders can unlock a valuable annual flight credit: spend $10,000 in a calendar year and receive a $200 Delta eCredit. Use it toward future Delta-marketed flights booked on delta.com.

Disadvantages

This card delivers solid Delta value, but it is not perfect. Consider these drawbacks before you apply:

  • No introductory 0% APR offer appears in the terms. Carrying a balance can be costly at variable APRs up to 29.24% for purchases, with a 29.99% penalty APR possible.
  • Limited airline ecosystem flexibility compared to general travel cards. Most value comes when you regularly fly Delta.
  • No airport lounge access is included. Travelers seeking lounges must consider other cards or memberships.
  • Priority boarding is Zone 5, behind elites and premium cabins. The benefit may be modest on crowded flights.

Fees and commissions of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

The annual fee is $0 for the first year; thereafter, it is $150. Additionally, the purchase APR ranges from 20.24% to 29.24%, variable with the Prime Rate, while the cash advance APR is 29.49%, also variable with the Prime Rate. Moreover, a penalty APR of 29.99% may apply for late or returned payments, and variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%, subject to changes in the Prime Rate.

As for billing, your due date is at least 25 days after each billing period closes. Consequently, no interest is charged on purchases if you pay your balance in full. However, interest on cash advances begins on the transaction date.

Furthermore, the Plan It fixed finance charge is up to 1.33% of each purchase moved into a plan, although the plan fee depends on the plan’s duration and other factors. In addition, cash advance fees are either $10 or 5% of each advance, whichever is greater, and there are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. Finally, late payment fees are up to $40 per incident, while there is no listing for an overlimit fee in the terms.

Requirements and eligibility criteria

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and U.S. residents. You must also provide your legal name, address, and date of birth. Amex also typically requires a Social Security Number for verification.

Amex will request your income and employment information and will evaluate creditworthiness and other risk factors before approval. Your application authorizes consumer credit reports for review and may impact your credit score.

How to get a Delta SkyMiles Gold Card?

  1. Confirm eligibility. You must be 18 or older and a U.S. resident.
  2. Gather documents. Have your SSN, income, address, and contact details ready.
  3. Check your SkyMiles number. Create or locate your Delta SkyMiles account.
  4. Visit the Amex application page for the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card.
  5. Submit your application online and wait for an instant decision when available. If not instant, Amex may request additional documents or time to review.
  6. If approved, you may receive an Instant Card Number to start spending. Expect the physical card to arrive in 5–7 business days.
  7. Don’t forget to link your card to your SkyMiles account to ensure miles post correctly.
  8. Add authorized users if needed to consolidate household spending.

Conclusion

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express offers a compelling package for individuals loyal to Delta Air Lines.

It provides a clear path to earning SkyMiles through everyday spending, which you can then redeem for future Delta travel, including the flexibility of “Pay with Miles.” The card’s initial $0 annual fee, followed by $150, is often offset by its practical benefits, such as complimentary checked bags and priority boarding.

Additionally, the “TakeOff 15” feature enhances the value of your accumulated miles. While it excels in providing Delta-specific advantages, it’s worth noting its limitations in broader travel flexibility and the absence of airport lounge access. Overall, it’s a well-suited option for frequent Delta flyers seeking tangible travel perks and a straightforward rewards structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do SkyMiles ever expire?
    No. Delta SkyMiles do not expire, so you can earn and redeem on your own timetable.
  • Do I have to pay with the card to get the free checked bag?
    Yes. To receive the First Checked Bag Free benefit, book your Delta flight with your eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex and include your SkyMiles number on the reservation. The benefit also extends to up to eight companions on the same reservation when the cardmember books the itinerary.
  • How many companions get the free checked bag?
    Up to eight additional travelers on the same reservation as the cardmember get their first bag free (standard weight/size rules apply).
  • Do authorized users get benefits when traveling without the primary cardmember?
    The free checked bag benefit is tied to the eligible card used to book and the SkyMiles number on the reservation. If an authorized user has their own card and books their own ticket with it, they can receive the benefit on their reservation (up to eight companions).
  • When do miles from purchases post to my SkyMiles account?
    Miles typically post after the transaction is processed and your statement cycles; timing can vary slightly by merchant and statement date.
  • Can I carry on a bag even if I check one for free?
    Yes. Delta allows one free carry-on and one personal item for each passenger, separate from the checked bag policy.

Ready to learn more or apply for the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card? Visit the official American Express page by clicking the button below:

VISIT THE OFFICIAL AMEX PAGE

You will leave our site ↗



Read also

Disclaimer Under no circumstances will Sit Series require you to pay in order to release any type of product, including credit cards, loans, or any other offer. If this happens, please contact us immediately. Always read the terms and conditions of the service provider you are reaching out to. Sit Series earns revenue through advertising and referral commissions for some, but not all, of the products displayed. All content published here is based on quantitative and qualitative research, and our team strives to be as impartial as possible when comparing different options.

Advertiser Disclosure Sit Series is an independent, objective, advertising-supported website. To support our ability to provide free content to our users, the recommendations that appear on Sit Series may come from companies from which we receive affiliate compensation. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order offers appear on the site. Other factors, such as our proprietary algorithms and first-party data, may also affect the placement and prominence of products/offers. We do not include all financial or credit offers available on the market on our site.

Editorial Note The opinions expressed on Sit Series are solely those of the author and not of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities mentioned. That said, the compensation we receive from our affiliate partners does not influence the recommendations or advice our writing team provides in our articles, nor does it impact any of the content on this site. While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we believe is relevant to our users, we cannot guarantee that the information provided is complete and make no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or applicability.

Loan terms: 12 to 60 months. APR: 0.99% to 9% based on the selected term (includes fees, per local law). Example: $10,000 loan at 0.99% APR for 36 months totals $11,957.15. Fees from 0.99%, up to $100,000.