If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, having a Delta credit card is a no-brainer. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? Well, let me introduce you to the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card. It not only offers perks that everyone can benefit from, but it also comes with a one-year trial period to test its suitability for your lifestyle. And the best part? You can cancel it without any financial loss.
TIME’s Take
For casual flyers, the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card is the perfect choice. While there are more robust Delta credit cards for frequent flyers, they also come with higher annual fees. This card, however, offers valuable benefits such as free checked bags, discounted award flights, and even an enhanced Delta experience.
Pros & Cons
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card:
Pros
- Free first checked bag
- 15% award discount on Delta flights
- Priority boarding
Cons
- Annual fee
- Rewards generally worth less than other airline cards
Who is the card for?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card is a great fit for those who fly Delta once or twice a year. It offers Delta-focused benefits that can save you hundreds of dollars annually, including a first checked bag for free, a yearly $100 Delta flight credit (after spending $10,000), inflight purchase discounts, and travel insurance. However, if you’re a frequent Delta flyer, you might want to consider a more valuable credit card that offers enhanced rewards and perks tailored to Delta loyalty.
Rewards structure
As a new Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx cardholder, you’ll receive a bonus offer of [bonus_miles_full]. While this bonus is certainly valuable, keep in mind that there are occasional offers of 60,000+ miles for this card. It’s always wise to apply for American Express cards during elevated offers to maximize your rewards.
In terms of earning, the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card offers:
- 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
- 2 miles per dollar on dining
- 2 miles per dollar on groceries
- 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
You can use your Delta miles for various redemptions, but the best value often comes from award flights on Delta and its partners. For example, you can book flights from New York to Aruba for 11,000 miles each way or short hops from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for just 4,500 miles each way.
The fine print
The Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card comes with an annual fee of [annual_fees]. There are also standard credit card fees to be aware of, such as interest charges, cash advance fees, late payment fees, and returned payment fees. However, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international travel.
Additional hidden perks
In addition to the above benefits, the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card offers several hidden perks that can enhance your travel experience:
Free checked bags
With this card, you and up to eight companions on the same reservation can enjoy your first checked bag for free. That’s potentially a savings of $270 per trip.
Priority boarding
Get Main Cabin 1 boarding for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. This ensures you’ll have plenty of overhead bin space.
$100 annual flight credit
Each year you spend at least $10,000 on the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card, you’ll receive a $100 Delta flight credit. This credit can be used towards airfare on Delta, including the airfare portion of a Delta vacation package.
15% award discount
Take advantage of the TakeOff 15 feature, which offers a 15% discount on award travel for Delta flights. Please note that this discount applies only to Delta-operated flights.
Insurances
The Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card provides rental car insurance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
Amex Offers
As a cardholder, you’ll have access to Amex Offers, which are targeted rebates, discounts, and bonus rewards for everyday purchases. These offers can save you hundreds of dollars per year on your planned purchases.
What could be improved
While the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card offers decent value for its annual fee, there are a couple of areas that could be improved. The TakeOff 15 perk, which provides a 15% discount on award travel, currently only applies to flights on Delta metal. Expanding this perk to cover any award flights booked with Delta SkyMiles would greatly increase the card’s value. Additionally, the $100 annual Delta credit could be more accessible by reducing the spending requirement.
Card alternatives
If the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card isn’t the right fit for you, consider alternatives such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. However, keep in mind that each card has its own unique set of benefits and rewards.
TIME Stamp: Casual Delta flyers can get big value from the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
With benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and a $100 annual Delta flight credit after meeting minimum spending requirements, even those that only fly Delta once or twice per year will find the card’s $99 annual fee well worth it.
For more information on the Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx card, visit Personal Finances Blog.