Summary
If you fly Delta a handful of times a year and want to stop paying for checked bags, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the right starting point. This card does not have a Companion Certificate or an MQD Headstart. If those matter to you, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is worth the extra $200.
The first year costs you nothing. After that, the $150 annual fee is easy to offset if you check a bag or two. See your Complete Guide to Delta SkyMiles: Earning, Redeeming, and Sweet Spots before deciding.
Rates& Fees
(Terms Apply)
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Our Rating
Entry-Level Travel Card
Card Details
The Good
- The $0 intro annual fee means your first year is risk-free. You get all the benefits without paying anything upfront. Use that year to decide whether the card earns its keep.
- First Checked Bag Free applies to you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. At $35 per bag each way, two round trips for two people saves you $280. You need to pay with the card and have your SkyMiles number on the reservation.
- The TakeOff 15% Discount gives you 15% off when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta flights. This compounds over time. The more miles you redeem, the more value this adds. It does not apply to partner flights or upgrades.
- Priority Boarding in Zone 5 gets you on the plane before the general boarding groups. It is not Zone 1, but it is enough to secure overhead bin space on most flights.
- The $100 Delta Stays Credit applies to hotels booked through Delta’s hotel portal. Rates are competitive with other OTAs and the credit posts automatically. It can be split over multiple stays. This is free money if you stay in hotels.
- The 20% In-flight Savings applies to food, beverages, and audio headsets purchased on Delta flights. It posts as a statement credit. It is a small perk but easy to use on any flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- The $200 Flight Credit kicks in after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. If you hit that threshold, the credit more than covers the annual fee. If you do not, do not count on it.
- Pay with Miles lets you use SkyMiles to cover the cost of a Delta ticket at a fixed rate. It is not the best value per mile, but it gives you flexibility when cash is tight.
- Extended Warranty
Things to watch out for
- No Companion Certificate means you cannot bring a companion at a reduced rate each year.
- No MQD Headstart or Boost means this card does not help you earn Medallion status faster
- No lounge access is included at any tier. Not even a paid visit option. If Sky Club access matters to you, this is not your card.
- The annual fee jumps to $150 after the first year. Make sure you are checking bags or using the Delta Stays credit before renewing.
Our take
This card falls short if you want status or a Companion Certificate. For those benefits, step up to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. If lounge access and top-tier status are the goal, the Delta Reserve is the one to get.
The Delta Gold is the perfect “entry” card for the casual flyer. The first year is a no-brainer thanks to the $0 introductory annual fee, allowing you to test the benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding without upfront cost.
