Who Can Benefit Most From the Gold Delta SkyMiles AmEx?

Lissa PoirotDecember 19, 2019
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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card works well for anyone simply hoping to collect miles for use on future travel, as well as entertainment and shopping. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $99. Here we take a look at who this card is ideal for.

The miles stacker

The U.S. is home to the world’s busiest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, which happens to be the home base of Delta Air Lines. Thousands of flights take passengers around the world aboard Delta, so it can make sense for frequent flyers out of Atlanta and frequent Delta passengers to go for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The card earns 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per $1 on everything else. Terms apply.

And as of January, 2020, cardholders also earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, making the miles stack up even quicker.

By the way, if you want to add a partner or child (13 or older) as an authorized user, you can earn miles on their purchases, too.

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

The Delta lover

Frequent Delta flyers will especially love double the rewards, as American Express spending earns 2 miles per $1 when you use your card on Delta purchases, including flights, inflight purchases and seat upgrades.

Plus, when you fly on Delta, you won’t pay for your first checked bag. Cardholders and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation get their first checked bag free. Cardholders also save 20% on in-flight purchases.

Effective Jan. 30, 2020, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card now provides a $100 Delta flight credit after $10,000 in purchases. Terms apply.

The international traveler

Not only will you earn miles by using the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you won’t incur foreign transaction fees while using it abroad.

If you aren’t flying on Delta directly, the airline's membership in the SkyTeam alliance gives you access to 18 other partners you can redeem miles with.

The welcome bonus seeker

Some other travel cards offer a similar welcome bonus but higher spending requirements. For example, here's the offer on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Enjoy a one-time bonus of 60,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $600 in travel.

Compare that with the current offer on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Terms Apply.

You could easily spend that amount on a cross-country Delta flight to San Diego, a weekend in a hotel near the beach and a meal in the Gaslamp Quarter — all while earning your welcome bonus as well.

» Learn more: Capital One Venture review: Easy earnings, effortless redemptions

The safety seeker

Several American Express cards provide car rental insurance for loss and damage, and that includes the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. Keep in mind coverage is secondary and applies when your primary insurance company refuses to cover a loss.

Additionally, cardholders can utilize a 24/7 Global Assist Hotline for help with emergencies, from lost luggage to medical help. Terms apply.

The travel redeemer

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers more than just travel rewards. It comes with a wealth of shopping deals and amazing entertainment promotions. Providing pre-sale tickets for concerts, sporting events and more, the card is your early access to entertainment for all ages.

When it comes to shopping, AmEx says “Amazon Prime who?” by offering Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card holders a complimentary ShopRunner membership. You can shop at stores such as Neiman Marcus, Brooks Brothers and Lord and Taylor and receive free two-day shipping as well as free returns. The program includes more than 100 participating retailers. 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 2021, including those best for:

Planning a trip? Check out these articles for more inspiration and advice: Find the best travel credit card for you Which Delta Air Lines credit card should you get? Is the Gold Delta AmEx right for me?

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