The American Express® Gold Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card are great mid-tier cards for earning points or miles on daily expenses.
The Amex Gold is a great card for earning points at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and flights booked directly with airlines. Cardholders can also enjoy up to $424 in annual credits and nice travel and purchase protections.
The Delta Platinum comes packed with Delta-specific perks like priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounts on award flights. The card's annual companion certificate and ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars through spending make it worthwhile for those chasing Delta elite status.
This article will compare each card based on several factors to help you make an informed decision on which card is the best to add to your wallet.Full Reviews: American Express® Gold Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Overview of Each Card
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 4x Points at U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x points)
- 4x Points at Restaurants Worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x points)
- Up to $424 in Annual Credits
- $325 Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
- Earn up to 100,000 Bonus Miles (80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 6 months and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases within your first 6 months). Offer Ends 07/15/2026.
- 3X SkyMiles on Delta Purchases and Hotel Stays
- 2X SkyMiles at U.S. Supermarkets and at Restaurants worldwide (including takeout & delivery in the U.S.)
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit
- 20% Statement Credit on Delta In-Flight Purchases
- $350 Annual Fee (Rates & Fees)
Welcome Bonuses
Amex Gold
The Amex Gold currently offers the following welcome bonus:
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Welcome Bonus Eligibility
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer on the American Express Gold card if you have or have had:
- American Express Gold
- American Express Platinum Card®
- The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
- Platinum Card® from American Express for Charles Schwab
- Previous versions of the above cards.
Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus:
Earn up to 100,000 Bonus Miles (80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 6 months and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases within your first 6 months). Offer Ends 07/15/2026.
Earning Rewards
Amex Gold
The Amex Gold earns Membership Rewards points and offers some very nice points multipliers to help you earn a lot of points:
- 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1x points).
- 4 points per dollar U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1x points).
- 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly from the airline or booked on AmexTravel.com or via Amex Travel App.
- 2 points per dollar on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex earns:
- 3 SkyMiles per dollar on purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels;
- 2 SkyMiles per dollar on purchases made at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.;
- 2 SkyMiles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets; and
- 1 SkyMile per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Winner:
The Amex Gold is the clear winner since the rewards are higher. Plus, Amex points are flexible and you can always transfer them to several airline partners, including Delta.
Card Benefits and Perks
Amex Gold
The American Express Gold card offers the following benefits for its cardholders:
$120 Dining Credit:Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$120 in Uber Cash: Get up to $10 monthly Uber Cash for U.S. Uber Eats orders and rides when you add your American Express Gold Card as a payment method. Your Uber Cash can be redeemed using any American Express card.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $50 semi-annually in statement credits after you pay with the Amex Gold to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment is required.
$84 Dunkin’ Credit: You can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.
Up to $100 in Hotel Credits: Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. Eligible charges vary by property. The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
No Foreign Transaction Fees (rates & fees): The Amex Gold’s lack of foreign transaction fees makes it an ideal choice for international purchases, especially considering you can earn 4 points per dollar at global restaurants (on the first $50,000 spent per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Travel and Purchase Benefits
Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.*
Baggage Insurance Plan covers your baggage if it is lost, damaged, or stolen and you purchase your ticket with this card.*
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*
Extended Warranty Protection: When you purchase items with your credit card, you’ll get an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items that have original manufacturer warranties of up to five years. This valuable perk means you can protect expensive electronics and appliances that come with longer manufacturer warranties without paying extra for store protection plans*
Return Protection allows cardholders to receive a refund for purchased items within a certain timeframe for items that merchants may not accept for return.*
ShopRunner Membership: As a cardholder, you’ll enjoy a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which provides free 2-day shipping and free returns at over 100 participating online retailers. This benefit can help frequent online shoppers save on shipping costs and streamline the return process.
Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences.
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex offers the following benefits for its cardholders:
- First checked bag free and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions on your reservation when flying Delta.
- Annual Companion certificate for a round-trip flight within 48 contiguous states (terms apply).
- 20% back on inflight purchases as a statement credit.
- 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights (when paying taxes and fees with this card).
- $100 Delta Flight credit after spending $10,000 or more in a calendar year.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Secondary car rental insurance.*
- Lost luggage reimbursement.*
- Purchase protection.*
- Extended warranty.*
- Access to Amex offers.
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership (enrollment required).
Winner:
It depends on your preferences. Both the Amex Gold and Delta Platinum Amex offer unique benefits.
If you fly frequently with Delta, you will likely find Delta Platinum’s free checked bags and annual Companion Certificate a good option.
But if you’re not a Delta frequent flyer, the Amex Gold’s dining and hotel benefits will be more useful.
Value of the Annual Fees
American Express Gold
The American Express Gold has a $325 annual fee (rates and fees), which is offset by up to $424 in annual credits, trip and purchase protections, and extra points on dining, flights, and U.S. supermarkets.
Delta Platinum Amex
The Delta Platinum Amex has an annual fee of $350 (rates & fees).
Winner:
The Amex Gold is the better option. While both cards have the same annual fees, the Gold card offers multiple annual credits that can cover its annual fee. Plus, these credits are easier to maximize compared to the Delta Platinum’s annual companion certificate.
Redeeming Rewards
American Express Gold
American Express Membership Rewards points are a versatile and valuable currency for travelers. The program offers numerous redemption options, with transfers to airline partners being the most lucrative way to use your points.
Amex partners with 18 airlines and 3 hotel chains, allowing you to access a wide range of travel possibilities. Some of the best redemptions include booking business class flights to Europe through Air France-KLM Flying Blue for as low as 50,000 miles one-way. Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club offers excellent value for Delta One flights to Europe at 50,000 points, significantly less than booking directly through Delta.
For those planning a trip to Asia, transferring to ANA Mileage Club can yield incredible value. Round-trip business class flights from the West Coast to Tokyo can be booked for just 90,000 miles. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is another great option, especially for their renowned long-haul flights like New York to Singapore.
Domestic travelers can benefit from transferring to British Airways Executive Club for short-haul American and Alaska Airlines flights, with awards starting at just 8,250 Avios for distances up to 650 miles.
While transferring to airline partners typically offers the best value, Amex also allows direct redemptions for flights through their travel portal. However, this option generally provides lower value at 1 cent per point.
To maximize your Membership Rewards, focus on high-value airline transfers for premium cabin international flights. With strategic planning, you can unlock extraordinary travel experiences and significant savings on your next adventure.
Membership Rewards Transfer Partners [1 to 1]
|
|
|---|---|
Aer Lingus Avios
|
AeroMexico [1 to 1.6]
|
Air Canada Aeroplan
|
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
|
ANA
|
Avianca LifeMiles
|
British Airways Avios
|
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
|
Delta SkyMiles
|
El Al [1,000 to 20]
|
Emirates
|
Etihad Guest
|
Hawaiian Airlines
|
Iberia Avios
|
JetBlue [250 to 200]
|
Qantas
|
Qatar Airways
|
Singapore KrisFlyer
|
Virgin Atlantic
|
Choice
|
Marriott Bonvoy
|
Hilton Honors [1 to 2]
|
Delta Platinum Amex
Delta SkyMiles offers a variety of ways to redeem your hard-earned miles for travel. One of the most straightforward options is booking Delta-operated flights, where award pricing is dynamic. This means flexibility in your travel dates can often lead to better value. Keep an eye out for SkyMiles deals, which can offer significant savings on specific routes.
For international travel, Delta's extensive partner network opens up a world of possibilities. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta allows you to redeem miles on 18 partner airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Korean Air. Additionally, non-alliance partners like WestJet provide more options, especially for travel to Canada.
Partner awards often provide better value than Delta-operated flights, particularly for premium cabin travel. For example, business class flights from the U.S. to Mexico or within Asia can be excellent uses of SkyMiles. However, it's important to note that partner award availability can be limited, so booking in advance is recommended.
Another option is using miles for upgrades on Delta and select partner flights. While this typically provides lower value than booking award flights outright, it can be a good choice if you have a surplus of miles.
Delta Vacations presents another redemption opportunity, often yielding at least 1.15 cents per mile in value. This can be particularly appealing for package deals including flights and luxury hotel stays.
Remember, award prices can change without notice, so it's always wise to book when you find a good deal. With some strategic planning, Delta SkyMiles can be a valuable currency for your travel needs.
Winner:
The Amex Gold wins. Amex points are more valuable because they can be transferred to over 20 airlines, including Delta. Meanwhile, Delta’s dynamic pricing makes it challenging to get the most out of your SkyMiles when redeeming them.
The Verdict
The Amex Gold and Delta Platinum cards both offer solid rewards and benefits.
Overall, the Amex Gold wins. It offers better rewards, and Amex points are more flexible and can be transferred to several airline partners, including Delta.
Choosing the Delta Platinum Amex is also good if you frequently fly Delta.
Which card are you going to choose?
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- 4x Points at U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x points)
- 4x Points at Restaurants Worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x points)
- Up to $424 in Annual Credits
- $325 Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
- Earn up to 100,000 Bonus Miles (80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 6 months and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases within your first 6 months). Offer Ends 07/15/2026.
- 3X SkyMiles on Delta Purchases and Hotel Stays
- 2X SkyMiles at U.S. Supermarkets and at Restaurants worldwide (including takeout & delivery in the U.S.)
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit
- 20% Statement Credit on Delta In-Flight Purchases
- $350 Annual Fee (Rates & Fees)
