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Amex Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The American Express® Gold Card is a premium rewards card ideal for those who spend heavily on dining at restaurants worldwide and groceries at U.S. supermarkets.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a great no-annual-fee option for occasional Delta flyers who also want to earn rewards on dining.
Terms Apply.
American Express® Gold Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a compelling choice for many cardholders.
The card provides exceptional rewards on everyday spending at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
Valuable monthly statement credits for dining and Uber help you get the most out of the card. Terms apply.
Its flexible points and travel-friendly features, like having no foreign transaction fees, make it a strong choice for travelers. Terms apply.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.
Pros
Generous rewards on popular spending categories like dining, groceries, and airfare.
Flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Annual statement credits for dining and Uber help offset the card's annual fee. Terms apply.
Cons
A significant annual fee requires cardholders to maximize benefits to see value.
Statement credits are distributed in monthly increments, which can be difficult to use fully, and some benefits require enrollment. Terms apply.
American Express has more limited acceptance than Visa or Mastercard, especially internationally.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Below, we’ll break down what makes the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express (See Rates & Fees) card a strong contender for your wallet.
- With no annual fee, it's a risk-free way to start earning Delta SkyMiles.
- You'll earn bonus miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide.
- The miles you earn don't expire, allowing you to save up for a big trip over time.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.
Pros
- There's no annual fee, making it a low-risk option for casual travelers.
- You can earn bonus miles in useful categories, including at restaurants worldwide and on Delta purchases.
- It's a solid choice for international travel, as it has no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- It lacks premium travel perks found on other airline cards, such as free checked bags or priority boarding.
- The rewards program is less flexible than others, as miles are primarily redeemable through the Delta SkyMiles program.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs American Express® Gold Card
Categories
When deciding which is better, Amex Gold or Delta SkyMiles Blue, it's important to understand their core purpose. Each card caters to a different type of consumer, from the premium traveler to the occasional flyer.
- American Express® Gold Card is a premium rewards card best for frequent travelers and those who spend heavily on dining and at U.S. supermarkets. It's designed for users who want to maximize rewards on food and travel and can take advantage of its various credits.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an entry-level airline card for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers. It's a good fit for those who want to earn miles on Delta purchases and dining without needing premium travel benefits.
Redemption
American Express® Gold Card: Membership Rewards points offer significant flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. You can also redeem them for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, providing a wide range of options.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: As a co-branded airline card, the miles you earn are deposited directly into your Delta SkyMiles account. These miles are primarily used for booking award flights with Delta and its partner airlines.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card offers access to The Hotel Collection for benefits on eligible stays booked through American Express Travel. It does not have foreign transaction fees, which is ideal for international use. The card does not include airport lounge access. Terms Apply.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is focused on Delta Air Lines. You can use miles for flights and receive a discount on in-flight purchases. It has a foreign transaction fee and does not provide airport lounge access. Terms Apply.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.
- The ability to 'test drive' credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized projections of potential rewards and net value before you apply.
- Detailed approval odds based on your credit report to help you understand your chances of getting approved.
- Access to Kudos Boost, which allows you to earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
- A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months of approval.
- Personalized card recommendations and tools to monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is an ideal choice for food enthusiasts who frequently dine out or spend a significant amount on groceries. It rewards these habits with 4X points at restaurants globally and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1X thereafter. The card also suits savvy consumers who can take full advantage of the up to $120 annual dining credit and up to $120 in Uber Cash, as these benefits can help offset the annual fee (Terms apply).
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who fly with Delta a few times a year but not frequently enough to justify a card with an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for dining enthusiasts looking to maximize the 2x miles on restaurants and for international travelers who will appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, it serves as a risk-free entry point for those new to the Delta SkyMiles program or for credit card minimalists who want to earn miles without any carrying costs.
Alternatives to Consider
So, you've reviewed the Amex Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison and neither card feels like the perfect match. Let's explore a few other top-tier cards that offer different rewards structures and benefits.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit profile.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.
- Review offer eligibility - Check the issuer’s rules to ensure you qualify for the welcome offer.
Application Strategy
- Leverage soft-pull applications - Some issuers let you see your specific offer before accepting, allowing you to decline without impacting your credit score.
- Evaluate the card’s long-term fit - Look past the initial offer to consider unique perks, like card design choices or its place in a larger rewards ecosystem.
- Be patient for the right offer - Welcome offers fluctuate, so it can be worthwhile to wait for a peak offer, especially with “once-per-lifetime” rules.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for frequent Delta flyers?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is designed for those who fly with Delta, offering benefits specific to the airline. The American Express Gold card provides more flexible travel rewards that are not tied to a single airline.
What is the main difference in the type of rewards earned?
The American Express Gold card earns flexible rewards points that can be used in various ways, including with multiple travel partners. The Delta SkyMiles Blue card earns miles directly within Delta's loyalty program.
Are these cards considered entry-level or premium?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card is generally positioned as an entry-level airline card, while the American Express Gold card is considered a mid-tier premium travel and dining card.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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