7 Reasons to Get the AmEx Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a good travel rewards card for fans of the airline. If you're a frequent Delta flyer, it provides an easy way to rack up SkyMiles in exchange for a relatively low annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $99. Terms apply.

Here are some other reasons to give the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card a go.

Welcome bonus

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card comes with the following welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $50 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: Gold Delta SkyMiles Card review: Worth the fee for Delta fans

Free checked bag

There are some advantages to checking your bags when you fly. You don't have to deal with the annoyance of finding a spot in the overhead compartment. You don't don't have to lug your bags around the airport during layovers. You can also pack with (relative) reckless abandon.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card cardholders are granted a free first checked bag for up to nine travelers per reservation. Normally, you'd pay $30 per bag. If you check a bag on just two round-trip flights per year, you'll offset the card's annual fee. If you fly with large groups who also check their bags, the savings increase dramatically. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program: The complete guide

Easy miles

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card gives you plenty of mile-earning power. Miles can be redeemed for flights on Delta or its partners in the SkyTeam alliance. Cardholders can earn 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, like tickets, in-flight food, seat upgrades and Sky Club lounge passes. You will earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply.

The card truly shines when you use it to buy airline tickets: You can earn a total of 7 miles per $1 spent on Delta flights booked directly. You'll get 5 miles per $1 spent through your SkyMiles membership and an extra 2 miles per $1 for using the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for the purchase. Terms apply.

NerdWallet values Delta miles at 1.3 cents each, so the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card will give you plenty of value when you redeem your miles. Terms apply.

Priority boarding

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers cardholders and up to nine companions Main Cabin 1 priority boarding. All you have to do is add your SkyMiles number to the reservation and you’re all set. Similar to the checked bag waiver, this benefit also applies to up to nine companions, as long as they travel on the same reservation as the primary cardholder. Terms apply.

In-flight discount

Use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to purchase in-flight food or entertainment and you'll get a 20% discount. That discount is applied as a statement credit, which will appear on your account within eight to 12 weeks of the purchase. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Should I get an airline credit card?

Free returns and two-day shipping

A fantastic non-Delta perk of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a free ShopRunner membership. Cardholders are granted complimentary access to ShopRunner, which gives you free two-day shipping and returns at more than 100 retailers. As long as your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card account is open, you'll be able to use ShopRunner for free. Terms apply.

The bottom line

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers enough benefits to take the sting out of its annual fee. It's worth a look if you fly Delta often and want a card with an easy reward structure. Terms apply.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2022, including those best for: