Delta Sky Miles Gold American Express Card Review

Delta Sky Miles Gold American Express Card Review

If you’re a frequent traveler looking to quickly rack up miles, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is worth considering. This card offers a higher value for miles than similar cards, making it a great option for those wanting to maximize their rewards. With this card, you’ll earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets, and restaurants worldwide.

Other eligible purchases will earn you 1X miles per dollar spent. Plus, if you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of opening your account, you can earn a whopping 70,000 bonus miles. This card is perfect for those who love traveling with Delta and want to make the most of their purchases.

Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits and features of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. So, if you’re a frequent flyer or just love earning rewards for your everyday spending, this card is worth considering.

Quick Highlights

• Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
• Get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. This discount does not apply to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees.
• After spending $10,000 in yearly purchases, receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit for future travel.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
• Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights allows you to board early, stow your carry-on bag, and settle in sooner.
• New! Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
• Want even more flexibility? Book on delta.com and redeem up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles.
• After using your card, you will receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• Terms Apply.

Rewards rate of Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

• 2X Miles at U.S. supermarkets, on Delta purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases

 Introductory Bonus

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers a compelling welcome bonus: 70,000 miles after spending $3,000 in your first six months, significantly higher than the previous offer. Considering the waived annual fee for the first year ($150 after that) and Bankrate’s valuation of 1.2 cents per mile, this bonus could potentially be worth $840, potentially covering your annual fees for the next five years.

Earning Miles 

Earning miles with the card goes beyond just airline purchases. You’ll get 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta flights, restaurants worldwide, and U.S. supermarkets, with 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases. This structure makes accumulating miles easier, even for infrequent flyers.

How to Redeem Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles earned through your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card can be redeemed for various rewards, similar to miles earned from flying. The most popular option is booking award travel, though Delta’s dynamic pricing system is based on factors like cash price and seasonality, which can affect redemption value.

Beyond flights, your miles can be used for seat upgrades on Delta or Sky Team partner airlines (including Air France, KLM, Aero Mexico, Aerolineas Argentinas, Korean Air, and Kenya Airways), paying for service fees, or even obtaining a Delta Sky Club membership.

Rates and fee

• Intro offer: Earn 70,000 Miles
• Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
• Regular APR: 99%-29.99% variable
• Recommended credit: 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
• Transaction Fees: None
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Benefits of Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers a variety of benefits to its cardholders, making it an ideal choice for frequent travelers. Whether you’re looking to save on flights or enjoy added perks during your travels, this credit card has got you covered.

• TakeOff 15: Save 15% on Award Travel: One of the top perks of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the TakeOff 15 benefit. Cardholders can save 15% off Award Travel booked with miles through delta.com or the Fly Delta app. This discount can be useful for frequent flyers, providing significant cost savings on flights.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: Cardholders who spend $10,000 or more in eligible purchases on their card within a calendar year are also eligible for a $200 Delta Flight Credit. This credit can be used towards future travel, giving cardholders a head start on their next adventure. This benefit alone can offset the card’s annual fee and provide added value to cardholders.
• First Checked Bag Free: The First Checked Bag Free benefit is another Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card perk. Cardholders and up to eight travel companions can check their first bag for free on Delta flights. Over time, this can add up to significant cost savings for frequent travelers.
• NEW $100 Delta Stays Credit: Cardholders can also take advantage of the new $100 Delta Stays Credit. By booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays, cardholders can receive up to $100 back per year as a statement credit. This benefit provides added convenience and savings for those who prefer to book their accommodations through Delta.
• Pay with Miles: The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers a benefit for even more flexibility. This allows cardholders to take up to $50 off the ticket cost for every 5,000 miles redeemed when booking through delta.com. This is a great way to save on flights further and maximize the value of your miles.
• 20% Back on In-flight Purchases: Cardholders can also receive 20% savings on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages with their card. This benefit comes as a statement credit, providing more value to frequent fliers.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: With the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, travelers can enjoy international trips without worrying about additional fees for purchases abroad. This makes it a great card for those who frequently travel abroad.
• Baggage and Car Rental Insurance: The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card provides added peace of mind for travelers with its baggage and car rental insurance benefits. With the Baggage Insurance Plan, cardholders can be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage when purchasing the entire fare with their card. The Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance also provides coverage for damage or theft of rental vehicles when using your card to pay for the reservation.
• Global Assist Hotline: The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers access to the Global Assist Hotline for added security and peace of mind while traveling. This 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination service can help with medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home.

Additional Benefits

Purchase Protection: With the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, you can have peace of mind when purchasing. If your eligible purchase is stolen or damaged within 90 days of the purchase date, you can receive coverage for up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year. This benefit is subject to coverage limits, and terms apply.

ShopRunner: Card members can enjoy free 2-day shipping on eligible items from a growing network of over 100 online stores with ShopRunner. Enrolling in a complimentary membership saves you time and money on shipping costs. A minimum purchase may be required, and terms may apply.

Extended Warranty: Say goodbye to the worry of manufacturer’s warranties running out on your purchases. With the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, you can get up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty on purchases made with your card. This benefit applies to 5-year or less warranties in the United States or its territories, and important exclusions and restrictions may apply.

American Express® Experiences: As a card member, you can stay informed about exclusive events such as ticket presales and Card Member-only events in your city. This includes access to Broadway shows, concert tours, family and sporting events, and more. Don’t miss the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with American Express® Experiences.

Fraud Protection: The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers peace of mind regarding fraud protection. If you notice a charge on your statement that you don’t recognize or are still being billed for a canceled service, American Express can work with you and the merchant to help resolve the issue. Terms apply.

Who should get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?

This card is ideal for Delta SkyMiles members who fly occasionally but not enough to reach elite status. With benefits like a free checked bag on Delta flights, you can save at least $30 per bag on domestic flights within the US (economy class). This means the annual fee is practically covered after just four Delta trips.

Who should skip the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?

Frequent Delta flyers with elite status might find this card redundant. You already get at least one free checked bag and priority boarding with Silver status or higher, so this card’s perks wouldn’t be very valuable. There are better options on the market with different premium benefits.

Applying for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card application process can be completed online or over the phone. The application link is on the American Express or Delta Air Lines websites.

Eligibility Criteria

While American Express doesn’t publish a specific credit score requirement for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, data suggests you’ll generally need a good credit score (around 690 or higher). Along with your credit score, American Express will also consider your income and credit history when making an approval decision.

Here’s a summary of what you might need to apply:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number
• Have a U.S. mailing address
• Meet American Express’ income requirements
• Have a good credit history (generally a score of 690 or higher)

Customer Service

•  Helpline Number: 1-800-528-4800
• Official Website:  American Express

Final Thoughts

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card caters to Delta SkyMiles members who travel occasionally but don’t fly often enough to achieve elite status. With a welcome bonus, an annual fee waiver for the first year, and perks like a free checked bag, savings on award travel, and in-flight purchases, this card can be a valuable addition to your wallet if you fly Delta a few times a year.

However, frequent flyers with Delta elite status might find the card’s benefits redundant. Consider your travel habits and compare this card with others before applying. Remember, American Express typically limits welcome bonuses to once per lifetime, so factor that in if you’ve previously held this card.

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