Is the Delta Gold Amex annual fee worth it?
Editor's Note
As a points and miles enthusiast, I have over 10 cards from four issuers. Many of these cards have annual fees, and every year, a few days before that annual fee posts to my account, I have to decide if that card is worth it or if I should downgrade it.
Even if the card charges a low annual fee, you still need to get more value from its benefits than the cost of the annual fee. This can be an especially tough decision for those with cobranded airline cards.
This begs the question: Is the entry-level Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card with its $150 annual fee — $0 introductory annual fee the first year (see rates and fees) — worth it? Let’s jump into it.
Welcome offer
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers new cardmembers the chance to earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
TPG's October 2025 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents apiece, making this offer worth $600.
Note that you may not be eligible for this welcome offer if you have or previously had a different Delta SkyMiles Amex card. Fortunately, American Express will let you know ahead of performing a hard pull on your credit if you aren’t eligible to receive a welcome offer for this card.
Related: The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history
Earning rates
With the Delta Gold Amex, cardmembers are limited to earning Delta SkyMiles. This card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on all Delta purchases and dining at restaurants worldwide and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets. It earns 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Based on TPG’s October 2025 valuations, this is a 2.4% and 1.2% return on spending, respectively.
There are other cards with higher returns on spending, even within the Delta Amex portfolio, but if you’re looking for a card in the SkyMiles family with a low annual fee, this is a reasonable option.
Flight credit
With this card, you’ll receive a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 or more on qualifying purchases in a calendar year. This spending requirement is steep — especially considering it would only earn you $120-$240 in value in SkyMiles on top of the flight credit, depending on which category in which you’re spending.
If you spend large amounts with Delta, this can be an added perk, but there are better cards that earn more. One example is the American Express® Gold Card, which earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com.
Since Delta is a transfer partner of Amex, you can then take those (more valuable) Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Delta.
Realistically, most cardmembers won’t spend that much on their Delta Gold Amex each calendar year, so I don’t recommend considering this benefit when calculating the value you can get out of this card.
Related: The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits
Award flight discount
Delta Gold cardmembers receive 15% off the cost of all award flights operated by Delta (but not partner airlines). This is known as the TakeOff 15 benefit and is my favorite perk of this card.
The nice thing about this 15% off an award flight is that it is valid on all cabins. I have used this card perk many times to take 15% off last-minute transcontinental flights and flights to Central America.
Related: How to use and maximize Delta’s TakeOff 15 feature to save on Delta award tickets
Delta travel perks
Free checked bag
With the Delta Gold card, the cardmember and up to eight people in their party on the same reservation get their first checked bag free. This benefit of the card nets me great value as I am a chronic overpacker.
Given that it usually costs up to $35 each way to check a bag, this benefit easily covers the annual fee if you have multiple people on the same reservation or you fly with Delta multiple times each year.
Related: I always check a bag — and I’m proud to admit it
Priority boarding
The Delta Gold card comes with priority boarding, which is a great way to ensure there’s enough overhead bin space for your carry-on bag.
20% inflight discount
Cardmembers also receive 20% back as a statement credit on prepurchased meals and inflight purchases of food and drinks (excluding Wi-Fi purchases).
Delta Stays statement credit
Delta Gold cardmembers receive an annual up-to-$100 statement credit each calendar year for Delta Stays reservations. This is an online travel agency powered by Expedia that you can use to book hotels and vacation rentals. This is essentially a free night if you can find a room under $100.
Related: Delta Vacations enhances earning rates and redemption value for SkyMiles members
Bottom line
The Delta Gold card is an entry-level credit card in the SkyMiles Amex family that cardmembers can receive outsize value from if they utilize the free checked bag perk, the inflight discounts and the Delta Stays credit. Plus, the perk of 15% off award flights is a solid benefit and can make devalued SkyMiles go slightly further.
However, if you don’t fly Delta at least twice a year or check bags when you fly with this airline, it is difficult to justify the $150 annual fee. Instead, you might want to consider the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (see rates and fees) instead.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Gold Amex card.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Blue Amex click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.