Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card from American Express Review

Summary - The Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express is one of the three Delta credit cards that are available (the others being the Platinum version and the Delta Reserve Card). It's features are actually pretty similar to the other cards, in that you can earn double miles. But the one advantage that having a credit card for Delta is that you can also pay your tickets with points or a combination of points and cash.

How You Earn Miles - Cardholder will be able to earn double miles for every dollar spent on Delta tickets. For all other regular stuff you put on the card, you earn one mile per dollar.

Bonus Miles - New cardholders get 30,000 bonus miles after spending $500 within the first three months of card membership

Fees - The annual fee for this card is $95 though the first year fee is waived. Also, note that if you have an American Express charge card, the annual fee is lowered to $45.

First Bag Fly Free - Your first check in baggage is also free (this applies up to 9 passengers booked on your card).

How is this card different from the Platinum and Reserve version? - Delta credit cards are one of the rare breed of airline credit cards that allow you to earn miles that qualify for elite status (in Delta's case, it is called MQMs). Both the Platinum and Reserve version allow you to earn MQMs if you meet certain spending levels. However, the gold version (ie this card) does not allow you to earn MQMs. So yes, there are differences in annual fees and some features. But the main one is the in ability to earn MQMs.

The Platinum Version allows you to earn 20,000 MQMs when you spend $50,000 on the card. Since silver elite status requires 25,000 MQMs, that means that a Platinum cardholder need only earn 5,000 more MQMs. Delta Reserve Card holders who spend $60,000 a year on the card get 25,000 MQMs which automatically qualifies them for silver status.

Verdict - So should you dismiss this card just because you cannot earn MQMs? Absolutely not. What it means is that if you fly enough to qualify for elite status, and you are not too bothered about features like lounge access, concierge service etc that the other cards provide, then the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express is actually the card you should get (which is quite topsy turvy because with other airline cards, it always pays for elite members to get the higher tier card). You will save on annual fees as well, yet enjoy benefits like having your first baggage free, getting an annual $99 companion ticket certificate and the ability to pay with both points and cash.

If you decide to apply and click on the link on this page, it will take you to the application page that looks like this.





Clicking on the apply now button will take you to this page where you have to key in your information. Once you press the submit button, you will know of your application status: Approved or needs further process.



Apply for the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express