Reviewed by Joseph Hellman-Benjamin, Founder and CEO. Last reviewed: October 10, 2026. Editorial Policy
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card costs nothing the first year and $150 a year after that. For the fee you get a free first checked bag on Delta flights, 15% off award flights booked with miles, and 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. Every figure below is from American Express or Delta, read on October 10, 2026.
The Card at a Glance
| Item | What American Express and Delta publish |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $150 |
| Welcome offer on delta.com | “As high as 80,000 bonus miles” plus a $250 statement credit, with $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Offer ends November 4, 2026 |
| Delta purchases | 2 miles per $1 |
| Restaurants, including U.S. takeout and delivery | 2 miles per $1 |
| U.S. supermarkets | 2 miles per $1 |
| Everything else | 1 mile per $1 |
| Checked bags | First bag free on Delta flights. Second bag free on domestic Delta flights |
| Award discount | 15% off award travel on Delta flights |
| Boarding | Zone 5 |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
Offers change. Check American Express’s page before you apply.
The 15% Award Discount
Cardholders pay 15% fewer miles for award travel on Delta flights booked on delta.com or in the Fly Delta app. A 50,000-mile award costs 42,500. The discount does not apply to flights operated by partner airlines, or to taxes and fees.
Checked Bags
The first checked bag is free on Delta flights, domestic and international. American Express now also lists the second checked bag as free on domestic Delta flights. Neither page says how many companions are covered, so check the card’s terms before a family trip.
The Credits
- Delta Stays. Up to $100 a year back on prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Delta Flight Credit. $200 toward future travel after $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
- Rideshare. Up to $10 a month after your first renewal, with enrollment.
- Inflight. 20% back on food and beverages bought on Delta flights.
If you use the Delta Stays credit in full, the net fee is $50. Do not count the $200 flight credit unless you would put $10,000 a year on this card anyway.
What It Does Not Include
Lounge access. American Express’s own FAQ says this card has none.
Who Should Skip It
- You fly Delta once a year and do not check a bag. From the second year the $150 fee buys you very little.
- You mostly book partner awards. The 15% discount does not apply to them.
- You want lounge access. This card has none.
For other options, see our list of the top airline credit cards. We have also reviewed the Capital One Venture and the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select.
If You Have SkyMiles You Will Not Use
Brokers, including The Points King, buy Delta SkyMiles for cash. Selling them is against Delta’s SkyMiles Program Rules, and Delta says it will deduct miles from, or terminate, the account of a member who sells them. Read the risks of selling miles and points first, then see what Delta SkyMiles sell for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee on the Delta SkyMiles Gold card?
$0 for the first year, then $150.
Is the first checked bag free on international flights?
Yes. Delta says the first checked bag flies free on international and domestic Delta flights.
Does the 15% award discount work on partner airlines?
No. It applies to award travel on Delta flights only, and not to taxes and fees.
Does the Delta Gold card include Sky Club access?
No.
Does it charge foreign transaction fees?
No.
Sources
- American Express: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, read October 10, 2026
- Delta: American Express personal cards, read October 10, 2026
Update Log
- October 10, 2026: rewritten and checked against American Express’s and Delta’s card pages. Welcome offer and bag terms updated.