Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Delta's Starter Travel Card

Annual Fee $0 intro first year, then $150

Earning Rate 2x flights (Delta) • 2x dining • 2x groceries • 1x everything else

Welcome Bonus 80,000 miles + $250 statement credit after $3,000 spend in 6 months (offer ends 11/4/2026)

Card Material Plastic card with standard finish

Practical Recommendation

Fly Delta a few times a year? This card makes economy trips less annoying: your first checked bag is free worldwide, your second is free on domestic Delta flights (added in June 2026), you board earlier, and award tickets price 15% lower. The $100 Delta Stays credit is easy if you ever book a prepaid hotel through Delta's portal, and the new $120 rideshare credit is close to automatic once you hit your first renewal.

Read that last part twice: the rideshare credit does not start until year two, so first-year value leans on the bags and TakeOff 15. If you can push $10,000 of spend in a calendar year, the $200 Delta flight credit sweetens things. Bottom line: simple and solid for Delta flyers who do not want to chase elite status or lounge perks—and the first year is free right now.

Credits

Practical Advice

This is what makes or breaks a card for you. If you can use these credits in your normal spend, the perks and protections are all bonus for you. We have a calculator at the bottom of this section to help you calculate that. Below we break down exactly what every credit is to show you if it's easy or if they're going to make you jump through 17 hoops to redeem it.

$100 Delta Stays Credit – Up to $100 back per calendar year when you use the card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals via Delta Stays on delta.com. Credit applies automatically after the charge posts. Prices can differ from booking direct, and taxes/fees do not count toward any minimums. Good if you already make one prepaid booking a year—otherwise worth $0.
$200 Delta Flight Credit (after $10,000 calendar-year spend) – Spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year and receive a $200 Delta flight credit for future Delta-issued airfare. It applies to the airfare (and taxes/fees on tickets), not extras like bags or onboard purchases. Posts after you cross the threshold; use on delta.com or by phone. Great if you reliably fly Delta; irrelevant if you do not hit $10,000.
$120 Rideshare Credit (up to $10/month) – New in June 2026: statement credits on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers, up to $10 per month. The catch is timing—this one only kicks in after your first card renewal, so new cardholders get nothing in year one. Enrollment required; no rollovers. Easy $120 in year two if you take a ride a month.

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Credit

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Your Value

Practical Tip

You can edit the amounts in the number fields if you value a credit at less than the full value. For example, if you only use a $10/month Uber credit half the months, you might value it at $60 instead of $120.

Delta Stays Credit

What It Is:	Up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year on prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com with this card.
How It Works:	Book via Delta Stays (delta.com); pay in full at booking; the credit posts automatically after the charge posts.
Gotchas:	Portal-only; must be prepaid; selection/prices can differ from booking direct; taxes/fees may not count toward threshold pricing; refunds can claw back credits.
Who Actually Benefits:	Travelers who make at least one prepaid hotel or vacation rental booking per year and do not mind using the portal.
Practical Value:	Close to a real $100 if you already book this way; otherwise $0.

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Delta Flight Credit (after $10,000 spend)

What It Is:	A $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
How It Works:	Track calendar-year spend on the card; once you cross $10,000, Amex issues a $200 flight credit usable on Delta airfare (including taxes/fees on tickets) at delta.com or by phone.
Gotchas:	Airfare-only (no seat fees, bags, onboard, etc.); expires if unused (check your certificate terms); does not trigger until after you pass $10,000.
Who Actually Benefits:	Delta flyers who can reasonably put $10,000 on the card each year.
Practical Value:	Worth a straight $200 if you hit the spend and buy Delta tickets; $0 if you will not.

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Rideshare Credit

What It Is:	Up to $10 back each month (up to $120 per year) on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
How It Works:	Enroll in the benefit, then pay for eligible U.S. rides with the card; the credit posts after the charge. Available starting after your first card renewal.
Gotchas:	Nothing in your first year—the benefit starts after renewal. Monthly cap, no rollovers; only select providers count; enrollment required.
Who Actually Benefits:	Second-year cardholders who take at least one rideshare a month.
Practical Value:	A real $120 from year two on; $0 in year one.

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Your Value:

Annual Fee: $150

Your Credits: $0

YOUR Annual Fee: $150

This is effectively what you are paying for this card. It is now up to you if the perks, protections, and earning rates are worth this fee to you over other cards.

Perks

Earning structure (quick recap) – 2x on Delta purchases; 2x at restaurants worldwide (including U.S. takeout and delivery); 2x at U.S. supermarkets; 1x on everything else. Straightforward everyday categories that many households hit.
TakeOff 15 (award discount) – Save 15% in miles on Delta-operated award tickets when booking on delta.com or the Fly Delta app (taxes/fees still apply). Helps stretch miles for domestic trips and flash sales.
First Checked Bag Free – The primary cardmember and up to 8 companions on the same reservation get the first checked bag free on Delta-operated flights when the card is used as specified in the terms. That is up to $70 saved per person on a round-trip.
Second Checked Bag Free (new in June 2026) – Amex added a free second checked bag, but read the fine print: domestic Delta-operated flights only, and only for the primary Cardmember—your companions still get just the first bag free unless they carry their own eligible Delta card. Codeshares excluded. Still real money if you travel heavy.
Priority Boarding (Zone 5 / Main Cabin 1) – Board earlier with your travel party so you can snag overhead space without the shuffle. Cardmember plus up to 8 companions on the same reservation.
In-flight savings – Get 20% back as a statement credit on eligible Delta onboard purchases (snacks and drinks; Wi-Fi typically excluded). Handy for a cheaper coffee at 30,000 feet.
Pay with Miles – Use miles to offset the cash cost of Delta tickets at checkout on delta.com; simple and flexible if you prefer cash-like redemptions over award hunting.

Protections

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (secondary) – When you pay in full with the card and decline the rental company's waiver, you are covered for theft or damage to most rentals (secondary to your own insurance); country and vehicle exclusions apply. Good for avoiding the pricey counter coverage.
Baggage Insurance Plan – Coverage for lost or damaged baggage on eligible common-carrier trips paid with the card: up to $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked baggage, in excess of the carrier's coverage. Useful if your bag takes a detour.
Purchase Protection – Covers eligible new items against accidental damage, theft, or loss for 90 days; typically up to $1,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year (benefit levels can vary; check your guide). Helpful on phones and gadgets.
Extended Warranty – Adds up to one additional year on U.S. manufacturer warranties of 5 years or less for eligible purchases made with the card. Can save you from buying store warranties.
Note on trip protections – This card does not list trip cancellation or trip delay insurance; plan accordingly or buy coverage separately if you need it.