Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Review
Free checked bags and priority boarding at $150 — for anyone flying Delta 2–4 times a year.
Welcome bonus
50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. Elevated offers occasionally hit 65,000–70,000 miles.
Rewards structure
- 2xDelta purchases
- 2xrestaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 2xU.S. supermarkets
- 1xeverything else
Perks & benefits
- First checked bag free for cardholder and up to 8 companions on same reservation
- Priority Zone 5 boarding
- 20% back on inflight purchases as a statement credit
- $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 spend in a calendar year
- No foreign transaction fees
Who this card is for
- Occasional Delta flyers taking 2–4 domestic trips per year
- Anyone who checks a bag on Delta once per year and travels with family
- Delta loyalists not ready to commit to a premium airline co-brand
Pros & cons
Pros
- First checked bag free applies to the whole reservation — real value for families
- $150 fee is easily recovered by one round-trip with 2+ checked bags
- No foreign transaction fees — usable on international Delta flights
- Solid entry point into the SkyMiles ecosystem without the Reserve's $650 fee
Cons
- SkyMiles do not transfer out — locked into Delta ecosystem
- No Sky Club access, no MQD boosts, no companion certificate
- Delta award pricing is unpredictable — sweet spots are rare
- 2x on Delta / dining / groceries is baseline for a $150 card
Our take
The Delta Gold Amex exists for one audience: casual Delta flyers who check bags. If you fly Delta twice a year with a partner and both check a bag, the $150 fee pays for itself before you factor in miles earning or anything else. That is a real product — priced honestly and delivering exactly what it promises.
Where the card falls short is versus higher tiers. The Delta Platinum ($350) adds a companion certificate that saves $300–500 on one trip a year, plus MQD boosts. The Reserve ($650) adds Sky Club access. Each tier meaningfully expands the perk stack, and each is worth its incremental fee for a heavier flyer.
The honest answer: if you fly Delta 6+ times a year, upgrade to Platinum. If you fly 20+ or want lounge access, jump to Reserve. If you fly Delta 2–4 times and check a bag, the Gold is fine — take the welcome bonus, use the perks, and reassess after year one.