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Amex Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is a powerhouse for earning rewards on everyday spending, particularly at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers, offering accelerated mile earnings and valuable travel perks to enhance their journey.
American Express® Gold Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a detailed look at the rewards, credits, and other benefits that make the American Express® Gold Card(See Rates & Fees) a favorite for foodies and travelers alike.
The card offers exceptional rewards on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, making it a go-to for everyday food spending.
Cardholders receive monthly statement credits for select dining partners and Uber, which adds ongoing value.
It’s a strong choice for travelers, thanks to bonus rewards on flights, no foreign transaction fees, and flexible point transfers.
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 spending at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
Annual credits for select dining and Uber usage can provide significant value.
Strong travel perks, including bonus rewards on flights and flexible point transfers to airline and hotel partners.
Cons
Carries a significant annual fee.
Benefits can be difficult to maximize due to monthly credit distributions, enrollment requirements, and annual caps on some bonus reward categories.
Less widely accepted than Visa or Mastercard.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It's easy to rack up miles with accelerated earning on Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants, and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Each year upon renewal, you'll receive a companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight, a perk that can offer substantial savings.
- For the loyal Delta flyer, the card provides a shortcut to Medallion status and makes travel days smoother with a free first checked bag and priority boarding.
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
- A substantial Welcome Offer and a strong rewards rate on Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets.
- An annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight provides excellent value each year you renew the card.
- A host of travel benefits streamline your journey, including a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and statement credits for services like rideshare and TSA PreCheck®.
Cons
- The card comes with a significant annual fee, and it carries a high variable APR on purchases.
- Key benefits, such as the annual companion certificate, have notable restrictions that can make them less valuable or flexible.
- Complimentary Delta Sky Club® access is not a feature, and as an American Express card, it may not be as widely accepted internationally as a Visa or Mastercard.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs American Express® Gold Card
Categories
Deciding which is better, Amex Gold or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, comes down to your primary spending habits. Each card is built to reward different types of purchases, making one a clear winner depending on your lifestyle.
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is ideal for foodies and home cooks, offering top rewards for spending at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, as well as on flights.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers, providing the best rewards on Delta purchases and hotel stays, with additional rewards for dining and grocery shopping.
Redemption
American Express® Gold Card: This card earns Membership Rewards® points, offering a high degree of flexibility. Points can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel loyalty programs or redeemed for travel, statement credits, and gift cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Rewards are earned as Delta SkyMiles, which are primarily designed for booking flights with Delta Air Lines and its partners. Redemption options are generally centered around the Delta travel ecosystem.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card’s travel benefits are centered on flexibility. It has no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders get access to The Hotel Collection, which provides experience credits and room upgrades at eligible properties. Rewards can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners or used to book travel directly through the American Express Travel portal.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is built around the Delta Air Lines ecosystem. It features no foreign transaction fees and offers a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. A key perk is the annual Companion Certificate for a qualifying round-trip flight. When flying Delta, cardholders receive their first checked bag free, priority boarding, and can access the Delta Sky Club for a fee. Miles are redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and find the best fit for your spending.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Track your progress toward credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
- Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s rewards by shopping with Kudos Boost.
- Unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is a perfect fit for food enthusiasts, whether you're dining out frequently or spending a significant amount at U.S. supermarkets. It also caters to avid travelers who book flights directly with airlines and can take advantage of having no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, the ideal cardholder is someone whose lifestyle allows them to consistently maximize the card's monthly benefits, such as the up to $120 in dining credits and up to $120 in Uber Cash. Terms Apply.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is tailor-made for loyal Delta flyers who travel several times a year and want to elevate their experience. It's particularly valuable for couples and families who can take advantage of the annual companion certificate, as well as for status seekers looking to accelerate their path to Medallion status. Ultimately, this card best serves moderate-to-heavy spenders who can maximize the travel perks and statement credits to easily justify the annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
The Amex Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison highlights two excellent cards, but they may not be the right fit for everyone. If your spending and travel style don't align perfectly with either option, several other compelling alternatives are worth exploring.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer without forcing purchases.
- Review the benefits: Understand how the card’s perks, like travel credits or partner benefits, fit into your lifestyle.
Application Strategy
- Enroll in benefits: Activate all available credits and perks as soon as you are approved to maximize value.
- Check offer eligibility: Be aware of issuer-specific rules, as you may not be eligible for a Welcome Offer if you have had the card before.
- Assess long-term value: Look beyond the initial Welcome Offer to see if benefits, like an annual companion pass or category bonuses, will justify the card year after year.
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 flyers?
The best card depends on your airline loyalty. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is built for dedicated Delta flyers, while the American Express® Gold Card offers more flexible travel rewards that can be transferred to various airline partners.
Can I have both the Amex Gold and Delta SkyMiles Platinum cards?
Yes, it is possible to hold both cards at the same time. Many savvy travelers use both to maximize their rewards, leveraging the unique benefits of each card for different types of purchases.
How do I decide which rewards program is right for me?
Evaluate your primary spending categories and travel preferences. The Amex Gold card may be a better fit if you spend heavily on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, whereas the Delta SkyMiles Platinum is geared toward travelers seeking Delta-specific perks and status boosts.
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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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