Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card: Free Checked Bags & Double Points

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Delta is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers a range of different credit cards that allow customers to earn frequent-flier miles in the SkyMiles program, as well as benefits when traveling. The Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express comes with lots of rewards for cardholders.

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Card Details
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Ongoing Apr:

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Annual Fee:

Credit Needed:
Snapshot of Card Features

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Its cardholders earn double miles for Delta purchases, and one mile per dollar spent elsewhere. Other benefits include a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight others traveling on the same itinerary. When traveling on Delta, cardholders also receive priority boarding and reduced fee access to Delta SkyClubs for themselves and up to two guests.

As an American Express card, customers also receive access to roadside assistance and global assistance hotlines, car rental loss and damage insurance, and travel accident insurance. Shoppers also enjoy extended warranty coverage and a purchase protection policy. There are no foreign transcation fees and the card has a And unlike some American Express cards, the Gold Delta SkyMiles card allows cardholders to carry a balance from month to month.

What’s the Current Welcome Offer?

New cardholders can earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.

Gold Delta SkyMiles’ Advantages

This card offers valuable benefits, like the ability to check your first bag for free — that’s a savings of up to $240 per round trip for a family of four. The other primary benefits include priority boarding and the chance to earn double SkyMiles on Delta purchases. Priority boarding is now especially important as more people are carrying on their luggage to avoid checked baggage fees, which means that late boarders may find no space left in the overhead bins and may have to place their bags under the seat in front of them, or be forced to check them. In addition, this card offers a nice welcome offer (offer subject to change) that includes bonus miles and a statement credit. 

Gold Delta SkyMiles’ Disadvantages

The card carriers a comparatively high APR on purchases and balance transfers (see above), which is fine if you intend to pay off your balance every month, but can eat into the card’s rewards quickly if you don’t. Plus, if you don’t travel enough to earn a significant amount of rewards, then the annual fee may not be worth it.

Is This Card a Good Match for You?

Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express makes sense for frequent Delta travelers who are trying to avoid checked baggage fees, while earning some extra SkyMiles. Delta is a major airline that provides essential service for people who live in its hubs, which includes Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit and Salt Lake City. Frequent Delta travelers will crave the chance to enjoy the benefits this card offers. Finally, this card is an excellent product for international use, since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Gold Delta SkyMiles requires applicants to have excellent credit. If you’re not sure of your credit standing, you may want to check your credit before you apply. There are many ways to check your credit scores for free — one way to do that is through Credit.com, which offers you two of your scores for free so you can track your progress and look for any big changes.

If you meet the issuer’s general credit requirements and fully understand the card’s terms, this card may be a good match for you. If your credit standing doesn’t yet meet the card issuer’s requirements, there are steps you can take to work on your credit so you can improve your credit score, and apply once you do. These steps include paying down high credit card balances, disputing errors on your credit report and shoring up any outstanding collection accounts. 

Gold Delta SkyMiles FAQ

How many miles are needed to book an award flight?

Customers must go to Delta’s website to search for an award seat to find out its price at that moment. However, there is no expectation or guarantee that an award seat will be available in the future for the same price.

How does priority boarding work?

The primary cardholder will receive Zone 1 priority boarding on flights operated by Delta and Delta Connection, which will be indicated on their boarding pass. This benefit is also offered to others traveling on the same reservation (maximum of nine companions), but not to additional authorized cardholders traveling without the primary cardholder.

Alternatives to the Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card

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on 's secure website
Card Details
Intro Apr:

Ongoing Apr:

Balance Transfer:

Annual Fee:

Credit Needed:
Snapshot of Card Features

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Why We Picked it: This card also has a welcome offer:  Earn 10,000 welcome offer miles after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of Card Membership.  Also, unlike the Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card, this card has a annual fee, although it does come with fewer rewards. You still earn two miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, and one mile per dollar on all other card purchases, as well as a 20 percent  savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.

For rates and fees of the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the of the Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card, please click here.

This article was last updated on September 25th, 2017. It was first published November 16, 2015.

At publishing time, the Gold DeltaSkyMiles Card from American Express and the Blue Delta SkyMiles from American Express is offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply and ultimately sign up for this card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment. This content is not provided by the card issuer(s). Any opinions expressed are those of Credit.com alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer(s).

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This article last updated on September 28th, 2017.

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