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American Express issues several co-branded Delta credit cards, including the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card . Both cards offer solid welcome bonuses, reward rates, and travel perks.
We'll compare these two options to help you decide if either is the right pick for you.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the Delta Gold and Delta Platinum Cards
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is best for the occasional or casual Delta flyer. It comes with an annual fee of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, and a welcome bonus offer of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
If you spend at least $10,000 in purchases on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card in a calendar year, you'll get a $100 Delta flight credit, which can help offset the annual fee. The card earns 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, 2x miles on Delta purchases, and 1x on all other eligible purchases.
While there are compelling reasons to get the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for its welcome bonus offer and ongoing benefits, keep in mind that several cards offer better bonuses on spending at restaurants and US supermarkets, and there are also plenty of cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — that offer bonus rewards on travel, including airfare.
If you're a more frequent Delta flyer, you may want to take a look at the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - Product Name Only, which has a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee and offers additional benefits.
New Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - Product Name Only cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, which is well worth the high annual fee.
Unlike the Delta Gold Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can help you earn Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta elite status through its Status Boost benefit.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card also offers up to a $100 credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider. You also get an annual Delta companion certificate each year upon account renewal that allows you to fly a companion with you on a domestic flight for only the taxes and fees.
Another benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the ability to access Delta Sky Clubs when you're flying Delta, at a discounted rate of $50 per visit. Also, keep in mind that the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (with a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card annual fee) offers complimentary Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.
Delta Gold Business Card vs Delta Platinum Business Card
There are also business versions of these two cards:
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offer very similar overall benefits to the personal versions. To qualify for a business credit card, you don't necessarily need to own a full-time business — even freelancing or side gigs could count.
Amex Delta Gold Card vs Amex Delta Platinum Card
| | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card |
Annual fee | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card |
Rewards rate | 2x miles on eligible Delta purchases 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide 1 mile per eligible dollar on everything else | 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases 3x miles on purchases made directly with hotels 2x miles at US supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide 1 mile per eligible dollar on everything else |
Welcome bonus offer | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card |
Travel benefits | Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights $100 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit No foreign transaction fees 15% off Delta award flights with TakeOff 15 benefit | Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights Annual Delta companion certificate 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to two times Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider Discounted access to Sky Club lounges 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit No foreign transaction fees 15% off Delta award flights with TakeOff 15 benefit |
Review | Gold Delta SkyMiles Amex Card review | Platinum Delta Amex Card review |
Which Delta Credit Card is Right for You?
If you're a casual Delta flyer, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is likely going to be a better fit for you. The increased benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card like the annual companion certificate, MQM Boost, and additional earning rates can be valuable for some flyers, especially those working toward Delta elite status.
If you're a frequent flyer who doesn't already have a different card that offers an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, then that benefit might also help you justify the additional annual fee.
