Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold card vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card: Which is a better option for you?

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  • The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card have great welcome bonuses.
  • The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a better option if you only fly Delta occasionally.
  • If you’re a more frequent Delta flyer, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card could be worth it for the benefits.
  • Read Insider’s guide to the best airline credit cards.

Delta and American Express offer sever different co-branded credit cards, and the welcome 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.

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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.

Comparison: Amex Delta Gold Card vs Amex Delta Platinum Card

 

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Annual fee

$99, waived for the first year(See Rates)

$250 (See Rates)

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

70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

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

Discounted access to Sky Club lounges

20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit

Foreign transaction fee

No (See Rates)

No (See Rates)

Review

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card review

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card review

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

American Express Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardAmerican Express Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

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 $550 annual fee(See Rates)) offers complimentary Delta Sky Club access when you’re flying Delta.

New $550 cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

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: 70,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the first 3 months from account opening
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 90,000 bonus miles and a $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

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.

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