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Amex Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
American Express® Gold Card: This card is a powerhouse for foodies and travelers, offering high rewards on dining, U.S. supermarket purchases, and flights. Terms Apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This premium card is for loyal Delta flyers, providing top-tier benefits like lounge access and pathways to elite status. 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 is perfect for food lovers, offering generous rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, plus monthly credits for dining and Uber (terms apply).
- It's also a strong choice for travelers, with bonus rewards on flights, no foreign transaction fees, and flexible points that transfer to airline and hotel partners (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
- Offers high rewards rates on everyday spending categories like restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, plus annual statement credits for dining and Uber (terms apply).
- Strong travel perks include bonus rewards on flights, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners (terms apply).
- A competitive Welcome Offer can provide a substantial initial points boost, and cardholders can choose between two premium metal card designs (terms apply).
Cons
- Carries a notable annual fee.
- Annual statement credits are disbursed in monthly increments, and some perks require enrollment to use (terms apply).
- Acceptance is more limited than Visa or Mastercard, and the top rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets is capped annually (terms apply).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card (See Rates & Fees) stands out as a top choice for frequent Delta flyers.
The card includes an annual companion certificate that can be used for domestic first-class flights.
Cardholders get access to premium airport lounges, including Delta Sky Club® and Centurion Lounges.
It offers a fast track to Medallion® status and provides complimentary upgrade priority on Delta flights.
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
Annual companion certificate valid for domestic round-trip flights, including in First Class.
Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta.
Offers a fast track to Medallion® elite status and gives cardholders priority for complimentary upgrades.
Cons
The card has a high annual fee, making it best suited for those who fly Delta often enough to maximize its benefits.
Bonus miles are primarily earned on Delta purchases, with limited earning potential on other spending categories.
Most of the card’s valuable perks are tied to flying with Delta, offering less value for travelers who use multiple airlines.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs American Express® Gold Card
Categories
When deciding which is better, Amex Gold or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, the choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. Each card is designed to reward different priorities, from everyday purchases to premium travel.
- American Express® Gold Card is best for foodies and home cooks, offering strong rewards for spending at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It's designed for those who want to earn on their everyday dining and grocery purchases.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers seeking premium travel perks. This card is ideal for travelers who want to enjoy benefits like lounge access and accelerate their path to elite status with the airline.
Redemption
American Express® Gold Card: This card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. Points can also be redeemed for travel booked through the Amex portal, statement credits, or gift cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Rewards are earned as Delta SkyMiles, which are primarily used for booking flights with Delta and its SkyTeam partner airlines. Miles can also be redeemed for seat upgrades, lounge access, and other Delta-specific travel benefits.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is geared toward travelers who value credits over lounge access. It offers annual statement credits for dining and Uber Cash, which can be used at home or on the road. While it doesn't include complimentary lounge access, it does provide benefits for hotel stays booked through the American Express travel portal. The card also has no foreign transaction fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Built for the Delta loyalist, this card’s travel ecosystem is centered on the airline. Key perks include complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club and The Centurion Lounge when flying Delta, an annual Companion Certificate after card renewal, and the ability to accelerate your path to Medallion Status through spending. It also offers priority boarding and has no foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best match for your spending habits.
- The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how much you’d earn with a new card using your actual spending data, so you can see the potential rewards before you apply.
- Receive personalized card recommendations based on your transaction history to ensure you’re maximizing rewards.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points by shopping with Kudos Boost at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is tailor-made for foodies and home chefs who want to maximize rewards on their everyday spending. Cardholders earn an impressive 4X points at restaurants worldwide and on the first $25,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each year, after which they earn 1X point. The card's value is further boosted by up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in Uber Cash annually, making it a strong contender for those who can leverage these monthly perks (Terms Apply).
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is tailor-made for the dedicated Delta loyalist who flies the airline several times a year for business or leisure. This traveler values premium experiences, consistently taking advantage of perks like Delta Sky Club access and the annual companion certificate for first-class or comfort-plus travel. Furthermore, it's an excellent tool for those aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status, as the card's spending benefits help fast-track elite qualification.
Alternatives to Consider
If the head-to-head Amex Gold vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison left you undecided, several other cards offer compelling rewards for travel and dining. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better fit.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most premium American Express cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the Welcome Offer.
- Review bonus eligibility: American Express has a once-per-lifetime rule for Welcome Offers on many of its cards.
Application Strategy
- Assess your spending habits: Ensure the card's benefits, like the dining credits on the American Express® Gold Card, align with your lifestyle.
- Time your application strategically: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spend requirement for the Welcome Offer.
- Consider the card's ecosystem: Decide if you prefer flexible points or co-branded perks, like the airline-specific benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card.
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
Can I have both the American Express Gold Card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card?
Yes, it is possible to hold both cards since they cater to different spending habits and reward goals. This strategy can help you maximize earnings across a wider range of categories.
How do I decide which card's rewards program is better for me?
Your decision should be based on your personal spending and travel patterns. The American Express Gold Card offers more flexibility for general travel and dining, while the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is tailored specifically for enhancing the Delta flying experience.
What kind of credit score do I need for these cards?
Both of these premium cards typically require a good to excellent credit history for approval. Issuers will consider your credit score along with other factors when reviewing your application.
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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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