KEY LINKS

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card – Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See Rates and Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card – Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. $350 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)

There are several different Delta credit cards, co-branded with American Express. By my count, there are currently at least eight different cards that you can sign up for that earn Delta SkyMiles, and sometimes it can be confusing to decide which one is best. American Express generally has a “once per lifetime” rule, which means that if you’ve gotten the signup bonus on one of these credit cards before, you won’t be eligible to get the bonus now.

So since you can (usually) only get the signup bonus once on each Amex Delta credit card, you want to make sure and wait until the offer is high before you apply. Let’s take a look at two of the more popular cards directly, compare the Amex Delta Gold vs. Delta Platinum cards and see which one might be right for you.

American Express Delta Gold Card

Offer details:

• Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See Rates and Fees)
• Earn 2X miles on Delta purchases
• 2X miles on Dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X on all other purchases
• Receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after spending $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year
• 15% off Delta-operated award flights
• 20% Back on In–flight Purchases
• Up to a $100 statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com
• Free first checked bag on Delta flights

This is a great card to pick up if you want Sky Miles for no out of pocket cost, especially since there is no annual fee the first year.

American Express Delta Platinum Card

Offer details:

• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $350 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)
• After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year
• Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and on purchases made directly at hotels
• 2X miles on Dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and on groceries at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1x on all other purchases
• MQD Headstart – get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each Medallion Qualification Year
• MQD Boost – get $1 MQD for each $20 you spend on your card
• Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases, up to $120 per year
• Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants
• Up to a $150 statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com
• Free first checked bag on Delta flights
• Receive a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck
• 15% off Delta-operated award flights
• 20% Back on In–flight Purchases
• Annual companion certificate for domestic main cabin fares (some restrictions)

This welcome offer is worth several hundred dollars, in my opinion.

Amex Delta Gold vs. Delta Platinum – which is best?

Personally, I think for most people (including casual travelers) the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the best option. If you have already gotten a welcome bonus on this card, then consider either the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card.

Remember, that you may have a business even if you don’t think you have a business. The Delta Platinum card is best for people that are already frequent Delta travelers and looking for the ability to get extra MQMs to help with qualifying. The companion certificate is a nice option, but given the $350 annual fee, I would just apply for the Delta Gold card if you haven’t had it before.

Other Delta Credit Card Options

There are a couple of other credit card options for Delta flyers to consider:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card – 55,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months. $0 annual fee the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card – 65,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. $350 annual fee (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in the first 6 months. $650 annual fee (see rates and fees)

While everyone’s situation is different, here is what I would do:

1. If you’ve never had any of these cards, apply for the Amex Delta Gold personal card
2. If you’ve had the personal Delta Gold card before, then consider the Delta Gold Business card (if you have a qualifying business)
3. Otherwise, get the Delta Platinum card
4. If you’re a frequent Delta flyer looking for Delta perks like MQMs or lounge access, and/or if you’ve had all the other Delta cards, consider the Delta Platinum Business or Delta Reserve cards

Remember that if you’ve had the Delta Gold personal card before, you CAN still get the Delta Gold business card – Amex considers them two separate cards. Also another option to consider if you’ve already had the Delta Gold personal card – if you’re playing in two player mode, your spouse or partner can sign up for the Delta Gold as well.

The Bottom Line

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card – Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See Rates and Fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card – Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. $350 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)

Remember that American Express has a once-per-lifetime rule for their card products. So you want to be judicious about when you apply for these Delta cards (or any American Express card). Comparing the Delta Gold vs. Delta Platinum cards, personally I would get the Delta Gold card if you’ve never had it, and consider the Delta Platinum if you’ve previously had the Delta Gold card. But what about you?

Are you planning on signing up for one of these American Express Delta credit card offers? Leave your questions or thoughts in the comment section.

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