Amex Delta Gold Review: Travel Perks for Frequent Flyers

The Delta Gold Amex is an excellent option for frequent airline travelers looking to save funds while enjoying some additional comforts. Whether you’re flying around the world or taking a few short trips each year, this Gold card offers substantial value.

In this review, we break down the card’s benefits, costs, and drawbacks and compare how Delta American Express Gold stacks up against other travel cards. In just a few minutes, you’ll know if this card fits your travel needs!

Key Features of the American Express Gold Card Delta

An American Express Gold Delta comes with features designed to make your travel experience better. Here’s what you can expect from it:

Delta SkyMiles Program

A Delta American Express Gold card is essentially a reward card where the cardholder can accrue miles on purchases made. Delta American Express Gold members get an excellent rate of miles when they spend on their Delta flights, restaurants, and grocery stores. The thing that makes this program stand out is its flexibility—the points can be used for flights, upgrades, and even vacation packages.

The miles are earned by flying Delta or one of its partner airlines, and the number of miles earned depends on the price of the ticket, SkyMiles membership status, and the class of fare paid. A Delta credit card also earns miles for regular purchases, such as groceries and dining. There are also promotions and partnerships, which include hotel stays, car rentals, and online shopping. Plus, you can maximize rewards potential by booking with Delta Vacations and utilizing Delta’s partner network.

First Checked Bag Free

Perhaps one of the most valuable benefits of the Delta SkyMiles program is that your first checked bag will go onto a Delta flight for free, saving you up to $70 on a round-trip flight. For a family of four, that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per flight.

Cardmembers must provide their SkyMiles number during the reservation or check-in process to apply for the benefit. The first bag fee waiver applies for all passengers on the same reservation; however, this benefit cannot be combined with any other free baggage offers or for codeshare flights.

Priority Boarding

Boarding priority for Delta is compartmentalized into zones, factoring in a range of metrics like class of the ticket bought, memberships, and loyalty programs. Preboarding is reserved for customers who need more time to board and active-duty US military personnel. Zone 1 consists of Delta One® and First Class customers, while Zone 2 includes Diamond Medallion® members and Delta Premium Select customers. The boarding process goes like this all the way down to Zone 8 for the Basic Economy customers.

With priority boarding, frequent travelers—especially Medallion® members—can board with less waiting. Then, there are waiting zones for the American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles cardholders, which is a considerable improvement over the regular boarding process. It’s structured in such a way that it makes things easier both for premium travelers and for those who travel frequently.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Foreign transaction fees add up fast for international travelers. With no additional fee above the standard purchase APR, the Amex Gold Delta card is the ideal choice for frequent international flyers.

On a European vacation with $2,000 in spending, you’ll be able to save $60 to $80 on transaction fees.

Travel and Baggage Insurance

Adding travel insurance to flights when booking can be quite pricey, but with a Delta Gold Amex card, you’ll get travel and baggage insurance for free. This could be a lifesaver in case your luggage is late, lost, or stolen, or even for trip interruptions or cancellations.

This feature also includes things like food and lodging in case of a flight delay. This is a wonderful benefit for the flyers, whose plans can change at any moment.

Annual Fees and Costs

The Amex Delta Gold card has an annual fee that should make it look attractive to the middle tier of travelers.

Annual Fee

For cardholders, the first year is free, while later years are $150 annually. This is lower than the $350 annual fee on the Delta Platinum Amex, but the Gold card also doesn’t offer premium perks like free lounge access.

APR and Other Costs

APR for the Delta American Express Gold ranges from 20.49% to 29.49%, depending on your credit score. Balance transfers come with a fee, and you better use the card smartly and avoid hefty charges for interest accruals.

Welcome Bonus and Miles Earning Potential

1. Welcome Bonus: New cardholders can get up to 80,000 miles if they spend $3,000 within the first six months of opening the account. You can redeem this bonus for rewards in flights, upgrades, and even vacation packages.
2. Earning Potential: You earn double miles for purchases through Delta, restaurants, and grocery stores, and one mile on all other spending you do with your Delta SkyMiles Gold card. This can add up over time to some pretty substantial travel rewards.
3. Redeem Delta SkyMiles: You can use miles for flights, upgrades, and vacation packages. A significant advantage of Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles is that the bonuses do not expire, thus allowing you to use your miles at your convenience.

Additional Perks

Beyond the core features, the Amex Delta Gold card offers a few more helpful perks to frequent Delta travelers.

• Cardholders receive a 20% discount on in-flight purchases, such as food, beverages, and entertainment.
• Earn $200 to use toward future travel if you spend at least $10,000 in a calendar year.
• Save 15% every time you book Award Travel with Miles on delta.com and the Fly Delta app.

Drawbacks and Considerations

While the Delta Gold Amex offers a lot of great perks, there are just a few drawbacks to take into account:

Annual Fee after First Year

Admittedly, after the free first year is over, the $150 annual fee can be a turn-off for casual travelers. To those who fly with Delta regularly, though, the savings from being able to take checked bags alone often offset this expense. For example, if one flies several times a year and uses the free checked bag benefit, the $150 fee quickly pays for itself.

Limited Lounge Access

Unlike more premium options, the Amex Delta Gold does not offer free access to Delta Sky Clubs. If this is important to you, consider opting for Delta Platinum Amex or Chase Sapphire Reserve.

How It Compares to Other Delta and Travel Cards

Here’s how the Amex Delta Gold stacks up against similar cards:

• Amex Delta Platinum
  Amex Delta Platinum has a higher annual fee but offers additional benefits, including an annual companion certificate and complimentary Delta Sky Club access. So, if you travel a lot and care about lounge access, you may get more value with the Amex Delta Platinum despite the hefty $350 fee.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred
  With its broader travel rewards and more flexible redemption options, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an overall better option for travelers who don’t always fly Delta. It gives 2x points on all travel and dining, making it an excellent all-around card for travel.
• Capital One Venture Card
  The Capital One Venture is also quite impressive with its 2x miles on any purchase and no airline restrictions. This is great for any traveler who does not want to be restricted to just one airline.

Is the Amex Gold Delta Card Worth It?

The Amex Delta Gold is a strong choice for frequent Delta flyers, offering free checked bags, priority boarding, and one of the most generous welcome bonuses on the market. You’ll earn Delta SkyMiles on everyday purchases and enjoy some pretty good added benefits like no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance.

However, for those seeking more expansive lounge access or a broader set of travel rewards, it may be worth considering higher-tier cards like the Amex Delta Platinum or opting for more versatile options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Overall, the Delta Gold Amex strikes a fine balance between perks and affordability, making it an excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who want to keep their annual fees reasonable.

If you’re a loyal Delta flier looking to enjoy some extra travel perks, the Amex Gold SkyMiles card is a solid option for you.