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
With the Delta SkyMiles Gold card, you can find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
TPG's April 2026 valuations deem this offer as worth up to $960.
Note that you may not be eligible for this welcome offer if you have or previously had a different Delta SkyMiles Amex 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 April 2026 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, amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
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 (that kicks in the second year of card membership). 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
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.