The American Express® Gold Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card are both solid credit card options that offer tons of rewards and benefits.
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 Reserve Amex offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate. While it comes with a high annual fee, frequent Delta flyers can find significant value through its array of travel benefits and ability to boost elite status qualification.
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® Reserve American Express Card
Overview: Amex Gold vs Delta Reserve
Welcome Bonuses
American Express Gold:
The Amex Gold currently offers the following welcome bonus:
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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 Reserve Amex:
The Delta Reserve Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
Spending on the Delta Reserve American Express will also help you earn Delta Medallion Elite status because you will earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQDs) for every $10 on your card. For example, if you spent $20,000 per year on this card, you would earn 2,000 MQDs.
Plus, the Delta Reserve American Express offers an annual $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollar headstart for just holding the card.
Earning Rewards
American Express Gold:
The Amex Gold earns Membership Rewards points and offers some very nice points multipliers to help you earn a lot of points:
- 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.
- 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Delta Reserve Amex:
The Delta Reserve Amex earns the following points for spending:
- 3 SkyMiles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- 1 SkyMiles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Winner:
The Amex Gold is the better option since it offers higher rewards and has more earning categories.
Card Benefits and Perks
American Express Gold:
The American Express Gold card offers the following benefits for its cardholders:
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you pay with the Amex Gold Card at participating dining partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is 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: Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
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 Reserve Amex:
The Delta Reserve Amex offers many travel benefits for frequent Delta flyers, such as:
Access to Delta SkyClub Lounges
Delta Reserve Business cardholders and additional card members will enjoy complimentary Delta Sky Club memberships when flying on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
An individual Delta Sky Club membership typically costs $695 each year. This means having the Delta Reserve card at $650 with lounge access and other travel perks is a money-saving deal.
Plus, you can receive four one-time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
Delta Sky Clubs offer free Wi-Fi, light meals, snacks, and refreshments, and provide a quiet, comfortable place for relaxation before take-off.
Future Changes: Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
Access to American Express Centurion Lounges
You’ll also have complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when you use your Delta Reserve Business Amex to book your Delta flight.
You can invite up to two guests at $50 per person.
Amex Centurion Lounge Locations
Airport
Location
Atlanta (ATL)
Charlotte (CLT)
Dallas (DFW)
Denver (DEN)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
Newark (EWR)*
New York (JFK)
New York (LGA)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
Salt Lake City (SLC)*
San Francisco (SFO)
Seattle (SEA)
International Locations
Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
Delhi, India (DEL)
Hong Kong (HKG)
London, U.K. (LHR)
Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
Monterrey, Mexico (MTY)
Mumbai, India (BOM)
São Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
Stockholm, Sweden (ARN)
Sydney, Australia (SYD)
* Under Construction
Annual Companion Certificate at Renewal
As the primary cardholder, you’ll get a companion certificate every year for a round-trip flight in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, Premium Select, or first class upon renewing your Delta Reserve card.
There are some things you need to be aware of for the Annual Companion Certificate:
- It is only valid for roundtrip travel to all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
- It’s only valid for travel in the I and Z fare classes in first class, the W fare class in Comfort+, and the L, U, T, X, and V fare classes in economy.
- The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
- You must complete the travel by the expiration date of the certificate.
Other Delta Air Lines Benefits
First Free Checked Bag: As a cardholder, your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, a benefit that extends to up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Given Delta’s standard checked bag fee of $35 each way, this perk can lead to substantial savings over time. Remember that the waiver applies to bags weighing 50 lbs or less and within Delta’s standard size limits—any overweight or oversized bags will still incur applicable fees.
Priority Boarding: This Delta card grants you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation the privilege of boarding in Zone 5 ahead of most Main Cabin passengers. This benefit ensures ample overhead bin space for your carry-on bags and provides time to settle in before the flight.
15% Award Discount: One of the more unique perks of Delta credit cards is the TakeOff 15 benefit, which offers a 15% discount on award travel booked on Delta.com when signed into your account associated with your card. This discount applies to the SkyMiles required for an award ticket, not the dollar amount of government-imposed taxes and fees. While limited to Delta-operated flights (not partner airlines), this discount can help your miles go further, especially on more expensive routes or last-minute bookings.
20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: When using your Delta American Express Card for eligible inflight purchases like food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights, you’ll receive a 20% savings as a statement credit. This discount applies to purchases made by primary cardholders and authorized users on domestic and international flights. However, it doesn’t cover inflight Wi-Fi.
Upgrade Priority: If you have Delta Medallion status, you’ll receive upgrade priority over other Medallion members of the same elite status level and fare class grouping.
Potential Complimentary Upgrades: If you don’t have Medallion elite status, you can still qualify for the complimentary upgrades, but you will be prioritized behind elite members.
Pay with SkyMiles: Delta SkyMiles credit cards unlock the ability to ability to “Pay with Miles” allowing cardmembers to pay for flights with SkyMiles at a rate of 1.0 cents per mile (in increments of 5,000 miles per $50).
Special Credits
$200 Annual Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $200 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Reserve Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays.
$240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required.
$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto. Enrollment Required.
Travel Benefits
Hertz President’s Circle Status: The Delta Reserve Amex offers Hertz President’s Circle status upon enrollment. Hertz President’s Circle elite status, which offers benefits such the ability to choose your car at Hertz Ultimate Choice locations when you book an intermediate car or higher, complimentary upgrades, a 50% points bonus, and a free additional driver.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: This card offers a credit for TSA PreCheck (expedited airport security) or Global Entry (expedited airport security and customs).
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.*
Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.*
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.*
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Purchase Benefits
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.
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.*
90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.*
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Winner:
The Delta Reserve Amex has better benefits if you are a frequent Delta flyer.
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 Reserve Amex:
The Delta Reserve Amex has an annual fee of $650 (rates & fees), which you can offset the annual fee by taking advantage of the airport lounge access, annual companion certificate, free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel and purchase protections.
Winner:
The annual fee of the Amex Gold is a better value than the Delta Reserve since the Amex Gold has fee credits that can offset its annual fee, plus it offers great rewards for restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
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 Reserve 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 is the better choice since it offers more ways for redeeming your Amex Points. You can also transfer them to several airline partners, including Delta, for potentially more value.
The Verdict
It’s tough choosing between the Amex Gold and Delta Reserve Amex since both cards offer different perks to different people.
But, the Amex Gold is the overall winner. You get better rewards on various spending categories, and you earn Amex points, which are more valuable than SkyMiles.
The Delta Reserve Amex is still a good choice, only if you’re a traveler who frequently flies with Delta and stays at airport lounges.
Which card are you going to choose?
