Insider’s experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Delta and American Express offer several co-branded credit cards, and right now, both the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card are offering excellent limited-time welcome bonus offers. So if you’re considering getting one of these cards, now is a great time. Amex is an Insider advertising partner.
We’ll compare these two options to help you decide if either is the right pick for you.
Insider’s Featured Rewards Credit Cards
Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases.
30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 3x ThankYou® points at restaurants and supermarkets. Earn 3x ThankYou® points at gas stations, air travel, and hotels. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases
80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the Delta SkyMiles Gold and Platinum cards
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Intro offer
65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22)
Rewards
Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 2x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Annual Fee
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Intro offer
65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22)
Rewards
Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 2x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Annual Fee
On American Express’s website
This card is a great pick for frequent and occasional Delta flyers who want elite-like perks without paying an exorbitant annual fee. Cardholders receive a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on Delta flights, but if you’re looking for upscale benefits like airport lounge access, you’ll want to look at Delta’s premium cards instead.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 2x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Intro offer
65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
18.74%-27.74% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Intro offer
80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22)
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Intro offer
80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22)
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Delta’s mid-tier card is a good choice for frequent flyers who can take advantage of money-saving benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, and a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. However, if you’re unlikely to maximize these perks or you don’t fly Delta that often, a travel credit card with a lower annual fee is a better choice.
Card Details
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular APR
18.74% – 27.74% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is best for the occasional or casual Delta flyer. It comes with an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $99, and a limited-time welcome bonus offer of 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22).
If you spend at least $10,000 in purchases on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card in a calendar year, you’ll get a $100 Delta flight credit, which can help offset the annual fee. The card earns 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, 2x miles on Delta purchases, and 1x on all other eligible purchases.
While there are compelling reasons to get the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for its welcome bonus offer and ongoing benefits, keep in mind that several cards offer better bonuses on spending at restaurants and US supermarkets, and there are also plenty of cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — that offer bonus rewards on travel, including airfare.
If you’re a more frequent Delta flyer, you may want to take a look at the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, which has a $250 annual fee and offers additional benefits.
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders can earn a limited-time welcome bonus of 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months from account opening (offer ends 11/9/22), which is well worth the high annual fee.
Unlike the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can help you earn Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta elite status through its Status Boost benefit.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card also offers up to a $100 credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider. You also get an annual Delta companion certificate each year upon account renewal that allows you to fly a companion with you on a domestic flight for only the taxes and fees.
Another benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the ability to access Delta Sky Clubs when you’re flying Delta, at a discounted rate of $39 per visit. Also, keep in mind that the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (with a $550 annual fee) offers complimentary Delta Sky Club access when you’re flying Delta.
Amex Delta Gold Business card vs Amex Delta Platinum Business card
There are also business versions of these two cards:
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offer very similar overall benefits to the personal versions. To qualify for a business credit card, you don’t necessarily need to own a full-time business — even freelancing or side gigs could count.
Amex Delta Gold Card vs Amex Delta Platinum Card
Which American Express Delta card is right for you?
If you’re a casual Delta flyer, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is likely going to be a better fit for you. The increased benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card like the annual companion certificate, MQM Boost, and additional earning rates can be valuable for some flyers, especially those working toward Delta elite status.
If you’re a frequent flyer who doesn’t already have a different card that offers an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, then that benefit might also help you justify the additional annual fee.
