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Delta and American Express offer several co-branded credit cards, and the welcome bonus offers for these cards fluctuate throughout the year.
If you’re a Delta flyer but aren’t sure which card is right for you, two Delta consumer cards make sense for the majority of travelers: the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card .
We’ll compare these two options to help you decide if either is the right pick for you.
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
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is best for the occasional or casual Delta flyer. It comes with an annual fee of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, and a hefty welcome bonus offer of 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
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 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. You can find out more in our Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card review.
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.
Delta SkyMiles are worth, on average, 1.1 cents each based on Insider’s points and miles valuations — but the exact value you’ll receive depends on how and where you redeem your miles.
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 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card annual fee and offers additional benefits.
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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card annual fee) offers complimentary Delta Sky Club access when you’re flying Delta.
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders can earn Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Amex Delta Gold Card vs Amex Delta Platinum Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Rewards rate
2x miles on eligible Delta purchases
2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide
1 mile per eligible dollar on everything else
3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
3x miles on purchases made directly with hotels
2x miles at US supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide
1 mile per eligible dollar on everything else
Welcome bonus offer
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Travel benefits
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
$100 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
Annual Delta companion certificate
10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to two times
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider
Discounted access to Sky Club lounges
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Foreign transaction fee
No
No
Review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card review
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card review
Amex Delta Gold Business card vs Amex Delta Platinum Business card
There are also business versions of these two cards:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
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.
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.