Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express
American Express and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of American Express. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
How we calculate effective rate →
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express from American Express earns up to 2.4% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $150. New applicants may see: AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership..
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 2.4%
- Annual fee
- $150
Best for dining-heavy spend when the $150 fee fits your usage; confirm issuer terms before applying. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
What does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 2.4% effective value (2x miles at about 1.2 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 80% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend. Catalog spend signals highlight.
Dining is the strongest category at 2.4% effective value (2x miles at about 1.2 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 80% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 2x miles | 2.4% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 2x miles | 2.4% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 1x miles | 1.2% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 1x miles | 1.2% |
| Other General everyday spend | 1x miles | 1.2% |
Madeen values Delta SkyMiles at about 1.2 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
What are the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express reward caps and conditions?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express has 2 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates.
- Earn 2x miles at restaurants
- Earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets
Who should get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 80% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Compare it against simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Best for dining-heavy spend when the $150 fee fits your usage; confirm issuer terms before applying.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 2.4% effective (2x miles).
- That dining rate ranks higher than about 80% of cards we track in the category.
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
- Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.
Cons
- $150 annual fee requires enough spend in bonus categories to offset.
- Delta SkyMiles value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
What is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express welcome bonus?
In Madeen's catalog snapshot, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express welcome offer is AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change — confirm on the issuer application page before applying.
- Offer
- 80k Delta SkyMiles (~$960 estimated)
- Terms (catalog snapshot)
- AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. First-year annual fee waived.
- Minimum spend
- $2,000
- Window
- 6Months
Does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express have an annual fee?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express has an annual fee of $150 and a foreign transaction fee of None. Confirm current fees on the issuer page before applying.
- Annual fee
- $150
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
What travel perks does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express include?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express includes Free checked bag, $100 Delta Stays Credit, $200 Delta Flight Credit, 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.
Free checked bag
First Checked Bag Free - Enjoy your First Checked Bag Free on Delta flights.
What benefits come with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?
$200 Delta Flight Credit
$10,000/yrGet a head-start on your next adventure, compliments of your Card. After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
Extended Warranty
$10,000/yrWhat if the color fades on your new flat-screen TV? Or your food processor starts rattling instead of slicing and dicing? Chances are it will happen right after the Manufacturer's Warranty runs out. Fortunately, when you use your Eligible Card to make a Covered Purchase, you can get up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer's Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.
Purchase Protection
$10,000/yrSometimes your favorite new purchase gets stolen or accidentally damaged. But when you use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases, your Membership can help protect them for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date, subject to the Coverage Limits
Baggage Insurance Plan
$2,000/yrTravel more comfortably knowing you can be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage when you purchase the Entire Fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) on an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier.
First checked bag free
$280/yrEnjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
$100 Delta Stays Credit
$100/yrGet up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Gold Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays.
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
$40/yrGetting into your Rental Vehicle can be the start of a great vacation. When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.
20% Back on In-Flight Purchases
$25/yrReceive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
Global Assist® Hotline
$25/yrWhenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, you may be eligible for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services , including medical, legal, and passport referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Priority Boarding
$25/yrBoard early, secure a spot for your carry-on, and enjoy plenty of time to settle in before takeoff on your next Delta flight with Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.
ShopRunner
$25/yrGet free 2-day shipping* on eligible items at a growing network of 100+ online stores with ShopRunner. Enroll in complimentary membership as a benefit of your eligible Card.
TakeOff 15
$25/yrTake 15% off anytime you book Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app.
Related encyclopedia topics
What annual spend bonuses does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express offer?
- $100 Delta Flight Credit - Get inspired for your next trip - after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
Common questions about the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
Where do cardholders spend most with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?
Madeen's RewardsCC catalog snapshot shows the strongest bonus categories on coffee (2x), fast food (2x), groceries (2x) for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express. These are anonymized issuer category signals, not individual cardholder transactions. Route everyday spend through categories that match your habits, then compare effective rates with Madeen at checkout.
Is the AmEx Delta SkyMiles gold card worth it?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express from American Express earns up to 2.4% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $150. New applicants may see: AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership..
Is it hard to get Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express at about 2.4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Is Delta SkyMiles Gold the same as AmEx Gold?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express at about 2.4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express have an annual fee?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express carries an annual fee of $150 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification.
What category earns the most with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express at about 2.4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
How does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express compare to similar cards?
Compare the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express against Hilton Honors American Express Aspire (3.5% on Dining, $550 fee); Hilton Honors American Express Surpass (3% on Dining, $150 fee); Hilton Honors Business (3% on Dining, $195 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express This card | Dining | 2.4% | $150 |
American Express | Dining | 3.5% | $550 |
American Express | Dining | 3% | $150 |
American Express | Dining | 3% | $195 |
American Express | Dining | 2.8% | $250 |
Side-by-side comparisons
Store-specific guides
Madeen publishes merchant guides that rank cards for specific stores and services. Browse guides for dining spend to see which cards win at checkout.
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American Express and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of American Express. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
Madeen compares cards you add to your wallet using published catalog rules — no bank login required. Issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice. Apply links are temporarily hidden on madeen.app. Affiliate disclosure