American Express

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express

Highest earn rate in Dining at 2.4% effective value

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express from American Express earns up to 2.4% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $150. New applicants may see: AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.

Top category
Dining
Effective value
2.4%
Annual fee
$150

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express card art
Reviewed by Madeen editorial review
Catalog snapshot 2026-05-01
Updated 2026-06-03
Data source Madeen catalog analysis

Madeen compares public issuer terms with its card-rule catalog. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice.

Madeen analysis

What does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express earn in each category?

Dining is the strongest category at 2.4% effective value (2x miles at about 1.2 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 63% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Dining is the strongest category at 2.4% effective value (2x miles at about 1.2 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 63% of the 1,547 cards we track in that category.

Category Earn rate Effective value
Dining
Restaurants, cafes, takeout
2x miles 2.4% Top category
Grocery
Supermarkets and grocery stores
2x miles 2.4%
Gas
Gas stations and fuel
1x miles 1.2%
Travel
Flights, hotels, transit
1x miles 1.2%
Other
General everyday spend
1x miles 1.2%

Madeen values Delta SkyMiles at about 1.2 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.

Reward rules

What are the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express reward caps and conditions?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express has 2 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

  • Earn 2x miles at restaurants
  • Earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets
Madeen take

Who should get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 63% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.

Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 2x miles. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.

Compare it against simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.

Best for dining-heavy spend when the $150 fee fits your usage; confirm issuer terms before applying. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Pros

  • Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 2.4% effective (2x miles).
  • No foreign transaction fee listed.
  • Welcome bonus may add value if you can meet spend requirements.
  • Includes travel or statement credits in our benefits snapshot.

Cons

  • $150 annual fee requires enough spend in bonus categories to offset.
  • Delta SkyMiles value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
Fees and bonus

Does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express has an annual fee of $150 and a foreign transaction fee of None. New applicants may see: AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.. Confirm current issuer terms before applying.

Annual fee
$150
Foreign transaction fee
None
Signup bonus
AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. First-year annual fee waived.
Travel perks

What travel perks does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express include?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express includes Free checked bag, $100 Delta Stays Credit, $200 Delta Flight Credit, 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.

  • Free checked bagFirst Checked Bag Free - Enjoy your First Checked Bag Free on Delta flights.
Benefits

What benefits come with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?

  • $100 Delta Stays Credit

    Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Gold Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays.

  • $200 Delta Flight Credit

    Get a head-start on your next adventure, compliments of your Card. After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.

  • 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases

    Receive a 20% 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.

  • Baggage Insurance Plan

    Travel more comfortably knowing you can be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage when you purchase the Entire Fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) on an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier.

  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

    Getting into your Rental Vehicle can be the start of a great vacation. When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.

  • Extended Warranty

    What if the color fades on your new flat-screen TV? Or your food processor starts rattling instead of slicing and dicing? Chances are it will happen right after the Manufacturer's Warranty runs out. Fortunately, when you use your Eligible Card to make a Covered Purchase, you can get up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer's Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.

  • First checked bag free

    Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.

  • Global Assist® Hotline

    Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, you may be eligible for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services , including medical, legal, and passport referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.

Spend bonuses

What annual spend bonuses does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express offer?

  • $100 Delta Flight Credit - Get inspired for your next trip - after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.

Common questions about the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express

Does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express have an annual fee?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express carries an annual fee of $150 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

What category earns the most with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?

Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express at about 2.4% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express charge foreign transaction fees?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express does not charge a foreign transaction fee in Madeen's catalog snapshot, which can make it stronger for purchases outside the U.S. Issuer terms still control international acceptance and other fees. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

What is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express welcome bonus?

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express welcome offer in our snapshot: AS HIGH AS 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.

Is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express annual fee worth it?

Whether the $150 annual fee pays off depends on how much you spend in dining and whether you use the card's benefits. Madeen compares effective rates across the cards you already carry without bank login. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

What credit score do you need for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express?

Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good to Excellent for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.

Compare

How does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express compare to similar cards?

Compare the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express against Hilton Honors American Express Aspire (3.5% on Dining, $550 fee); Hilton Honors American Express Surpass (3% on Dining, $150 fee); Hilton Honors Business (3% on Dining, $95 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.

CardTop categoryEffective valueAnnual fee
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
This card
Dining2.4%$150
Dining3.5%$550
Dining3%$150
American Express
Dining3%$95
Dining2.8%$250
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