Delta Gold vs. AmEx Gold: AmEx Gold Boasts More Glitter

It’s hard to top the American Express Gold Card’s flexibility and high rewards rate for dining and groceries.

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Updated · 2 min read
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They’re both gold and they’re both American Express cards, but these two contenders head in different directions when it comes to their benefits. Like other airline credit cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has more to offer for frequent Delta fliers.

The American Express® Gold Card, on the other hand, is a better fit for anyone looking for more flexibility, since it earns AmEx Membership Rewards. Plus, you’ll earn a higher rewards rate at grocery stores and restaurants, two popular categories that you’ll definitely spend money in (you have to eat, after all).

Both cards charge somewhat steep annual fees, which can chip away at the value you’d get. But unless you’re Delta-loyal, the American Express® Gold Card comes out ahead.

How the cards compare
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Annual fee

$325.

$0 intro for the first year, then $150.

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24. Terms Apply.

Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Rewards
  • 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) on up to $50,000 in purchases per year.

  • 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per year.

  • 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

  • 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

  • Terms apply.

  • 2 miles per $1 on restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)

  • 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets.

  • 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases.

  • 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.

  • Terms apply.

Foreign transaction fee

None.

None.

Still not sure?

The $325 annual fee on the American Express® Gold Card is enough to give anyone pause but if food is a major portion of your budget and you use the card’s other perks, you can offset that cost. The card’s generous welcome bonus helps, too.

Why the American Express® Gold Card is better for most people

Generous rewards

In addition to the welcome offer, here’s what you’ll earn on an ongoing basis:

  • 4 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) on up to $50,000 in purchases per year.

  • 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per year.

  • 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

  • 1 point per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

  • Terms apply.

Valuable redemptions, even on Delta

The American Express® Gold Card earns rewards in the form of AmEx Membership Rewards points. Redeem them for travel, a statement credit, buying gifts cards or using points at checkout with participating merchants. That flexibility alone sets the American Express® Gold Card apart. But even if you're planning on using all your rewards on Delta purchases, the American Express® Gold Card could still be a better option than the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

You'll usually get the most value out of your points by redeeming them towards travel purchases, specifically transferring them to one of AmEx's transfer partners, which includes Delta. Every point you transfer will be worth one Delta mile. So the American Express® Gold Card could earn you 4 Delta miles on grocery store purchases and restaurants, compared to the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card's 2 miles. It's important to note that you will have to pay a $.0006 fee for each point you transfer to a U.S.-based airline (up to $99).

Airlines

  • Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio).

  • AeroMexico (1:1.6 ratio).

  • Air Canada. (1:1 ratio).

  • Air France/KLM (1:1 ratio).

  • ANA (1:1 ratio).

  • Avianca (1:1 ratio).

  • British Airways (1:1 ratio).

  • Cathay Pacific (1:1 ratio)

  • Delta Air Lines (1:1 ratio).

  • Emirates (1:1 ratio).

  • Etihad Airways (1:1 ratio).

  • Hawaiian Airlines (1:1 ratio).

  • Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio).

  • JetBlue Airways (2.5:2 ratio).

  • Qantas (1:1 ratio).

  • Qatar Airways (1:1 ratio).

  • Singapore Airlines (1:1 ratio).

  • Virgin Atlantic Airways (1:1 ratio).

Hotels

  • Choice Hotels (1:1 ratio).

  • Hilton Hotels & Resorts (1:2 ratio).

  • Marriott Hotels & Resorts (1:1 ratio).

For details on transfer ratios, see AmEx's website.

Statement credits

The American Express® Gold Card offers several statement credits with specific merchants:

  • Up to $120 per year (up to $10 per month) at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.

  • Up to $120 per year (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash, which you can use for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.

  • Up to $100 per year ($50 semi-annually) in annual statement credits after enrolling and using your card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com.

  • Up to $7 per month ($84 annually) in statement credits after enrolling and using your card at Dunkin' Donuts locations in the U.S.

  • Terms apply.

Who might prefer the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card?

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card charges an annual fee — $0 intro for the first year, then $150 — which is also on the pricey side for a card in its class. (Competing cards from other airlines tend to charge just under $100 per year.) But the card does offer some compelling perks for Delta fliers, such as a generous checked-bag benefit, various discounts and credits, not to mention a solid welcome bonus. Terms apply.

For the annual cost, however, the card lacks other benefits you see with other general travel cards at this price point, including airport lounge access and statement credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Travel perks

If you're more interested in getting perks while flying with Delta than earning rewards for your spending, then the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a better choice. It offers:

  • A free checked bag for up to nine passengers on the same reservation. This normally would cost $30 per passenger each way for the first checked bag. A family of four flying round trip will save $240, more than offsetting the annual fee.

  • A $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year.

  • A $100 credit when you book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta’s travel portal, Delta Stays. 

  • 15% off when booking award travel on delta.com or the Fly Delta app.

  • 20% off in-flight food and beverage purchases.

  • Terms apply.

Which card should you get?

If you fly Delta multiple times per year and check bags, you’ll get value out of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. But the American Express® Gold Card is the winner in terms of the value of your earned rewards points. Plus you get much more flexibility when you redeem those points, making it a better fit for anyone who isn’t loyal to one specific airline.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.
Cards for Delta from our Partners
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-5x

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000 Points + $300 Travel Credit

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

on Capital One's website

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

2x-5x

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

Miles

Intro offer

75,000

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Miles
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