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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card charges a higher annual fee than other mid-tier airline cards, but the perks alone can make it worth your while. If you fly with Delta at least once or twice a year, this card should be on your radar.

Here are some of the Delta SkyMiles Gold card's more notable features:

Annual Delta flight credit: For each calendar year in which you spend $10,000, you'll receive a $200 Delta flight credit good for future travel. The credit is good for one year from the date you receive it.

Delta Stays credit: Each year, you'll get up to $100 in statement credits when you use your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.

First two checked bags free: You can get your first two checked bags free on domestic flights operated by Delta.

Flight perks: When you fly with Delta, you'll enjoy priority boarding and 20% back as a statement credit on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card.

Baggage insurance: If your luggage is stolen, damaged or lost while traveling on a common carrier, you and others on your itinerary may be eligible for up to $1,250 in coverage for your belongings, up to $10,000 per trip. You'll need to use your card to pay for the entire fare to qualify.

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Related: Delta Gold vs. Delta Platinum — Which offers more Delta savings?

As a new cardholder, the spending requirement for the welcome offer is a relatively easy threshold to achieve compared to other travel credit cards, especially because American Express gives you six months instead of the standard three months.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold card's welcome bonus is also in line with many other mid-tier airline credit cards.

Compare this card's welcome offer and more details with today's best airline credit cards

Earning miles with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is pretty straightforward. The card offers double miles on a few spending categories, including eligible dining and grocery purchases.

However, its base rewards rate is just 1 mile per dollar. While that's standard for airline credit cards, you can earn a higher rate with some general travel credit cards.

The best way to redeem Delta SkyMiles is for award flights. Through Delta and its partners, you can travel to more than 1,000 destinations around the world.

In fact, you'll get 15% off each time you use your miles to book a Delta flight, and those savings can add up over time. Just keep in mind, the 15% savings only apply to flights booked with miles via Delta.com or the Delta app — and it does not apply to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.

You can also use your miles to get a seat upgrade, buy premium drinks at the Delta Sky Club, or cover certain fees.

Non-flight SkyMiles redemption options include:

Book a hotel or vacation rental through Delta Stays

Book a vacation package through Delta Vacations

Bid on exclusive events through SkyMiles Experiences

Donate your miles to a charitable cause

Sign up for a magazine subscription

Keep in mind that these options may not offer as much value as using your miles for award flights.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a higher annual fee than some other, similar airline credit cards. However, if you spend at least $10,000 per year on your card and fly with Delta once or twice a year, the card can be well worth your while.

That said, it might not be the right fit if you don't generally fly with Delta or you prefer a general travel card with higher rewards rates and more redemption flexibility.

Before you plan your next trip, compare our top credit cards for vacations

Valuable perks: The card offers perks with value that exceed the annual fee. Even if you only fly Delta once or twice, the card can essentially pay for itself.

Annual fee waived the first year: While the card's annual fee is a bit steeper compared to other airline cards, you'll get a full year of value before you have to start paying it.

Global reach: Delta partners with several airlines to provide flights to more than 1,000 destinations around the world. Whether you usually travel within the U.S. or want to spend time overseas, Delta is a great airline for both.

Charges an annual fee: The card's annual fee after the first year requires you to put in a little extra work to offset it compared to credit cards with lower fees or no annual fee.

Limited redemption flexibility: While you can redeem your SkyMiles for more than just flights, you likely won't get as much value on hotels and vacation packages. If you're looking for more flexibility, a general travel rewards program may be a better option.

Read more: Amex points vs. Chase points — Who has the best rewards program?

American Express is widely accepted within the U.S., though it's not entirely on par with Visa and Mastercard. In particular, some small businesses may not accept it.

While the card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, American Express can have spotty acceptance abroad, so you may want to bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card as a backup for international spending.

See more of the best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees

American Express offers a few different options for paying your credit card bill:

Online: Log in to your online account or the American Express mobile app.

Phone: Call 800-472-9297 to pay over the phone.

Mail: Send your payment to American Express, P.O. Box 96001, Los Angeles, CA 90096-8000.

Customer service availability: Phone and chat (through your online account) 24/7

Phone number: 800-528-4800

Customer service email: American Express doesn't provide email support

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card login page

If you're not certain if the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is right for you, or if you simply want to consider other options before applying, here are our top choices.

Why we like it: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can be worth considering if you travel frequently and prefer Delta to other airlines. The card offers a higher welcome bonus, as well as higher rewards rates on Delta and hotel purchases.

In addition to a 15% discount on award flights, the card also offers an annual companion certificate each year after renewal, up to $120 in annual credits for Resy restaurants and up to $120 in annual credits for purchases with select U.S. rideshare providers (both up to $10 per month; with enrollment), an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and many other perks.

That said, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card's annual fee is a steep $350 (see rates and fees), so it only makes sense if you fly often enough to get that value back from the card's perks.

Why we like it: Another solid option for frequent Delta flyers is The Platinum Card® from American Express. This premium travel card charges an eye-watering $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), but it offers more than $3,500 in potential annual value.

One of the Platinum Card's most notable features is its airport lounge access, which includes several lounge networks — you'll even get access to the Delta Sky Club every time you fly with Delta (up to 10 visits per year starting Feb. 1, 2025). You'll also get a long list of perks, including up to $200 in annual statement credits for airline fees with your chosen airline, up to $600 in annual statement credits toward eligible prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and many more.

While the card's rewards program isn't the strongest, American Express allows you to transfer your points to the Delta SkyMiles program, giving you flexibility with your redemptions.

Read our full review of the Platinum Card from American Express

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card could be worth considering if you want ultimate flexibility with your travel rewards. The card offers a minimum of 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, so you can rest assured that you're getting great value on all of your spending.

When you're ready to redeem, you can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal, or you can book travel on your own with any travel merchant and request a statement credit for the purchase up to 90 days later. You can also transfer your miles to Capital One's 15+ travel transfer partners.

The card also offers a few perks, including an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, Hertz Five Star status, and no foreign transaction fees. The card's annual fee is just $95.

Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

This article was edited by Kendall Little

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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