Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express is a solid choice for many travelers.

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• With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (See Rates & Fees), it's easy to try out the card's perks.
• You'll earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The free checked bag benefit for a family of four can save $280 on a single round-trip flight, more than covering the annual fee after the first year (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{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

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• Your first checked bag is free on Delta flights for you and your companions.
• Receive a discount on award flights when you book with miles through Delta.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like complimentary lounge access or upgrade priority.
• Does not include a companion certificate, a popular benefit on other Delta cards.
• Reward earning rates on non-Delta purchases are less competitive than other travel cards.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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When deciding between these two popular travel cards, the question of which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Delta SkyMiles Gold, often comes down to your specific travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - This card is an excellent entry-level option for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on travel and dining without committing to a premium annual fee. It offers great flexibility for those new to travel rewards cards.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - This card is best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to Delta and want to enjoy airline-specific perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points earned with this card offer great flexibility, as they can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. You can also redeem them for travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Redemption is centered around the Delta ecosystem, with miles being most valuable when used for Delta-operated flights. You can also use miles for upgrades, vacation packages, or with Delta's partner airlines.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card’s ecosystem revolves around the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which allows for flexible travel bookings. It features no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel. Key perks include an annual hotel credit, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: This card is built for the Delta loyalist. Its main benefits enhance the flying experience with a first checked bag free on Delta flights and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. While it doesn't offer complimentary lounge access, cardholders can access the Delta Sky Club for a fee. The card also has no foreign transaction fees and offers a statement credit for eligible in-flight Delta purchases. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial technology platform that helps you compare thousands of credit cards, focusing on maximizing rewards based on your individual spending patterns rather than just generic advice.

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• Test drive credit cards: The platform's standout "Test Drive" feature lets you simulate potential earnings from any card using your actual transaction history, giving you a clear picture of its value before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the company will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your likelihood of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Kudos Kickstart+ and Boost rewards: Earn a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your wallet and get extra rewards on top of your card's earnings when shopping at participating stores.
• Personalized insights: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and discover new cards that align with your financial activity.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. It's also a strong contender for those looking to maximize points on everyday spending categories like dining, select streaming services, and online groceries. Ultimately, this card suits users who value flexible redemption options, robust travel protections, and a generous welcome offer to kickstart their rewards journey.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a strong choice for loyalists who fly with the airline several times a year, as the free checked bag benefit can easily offset the annual fee. It also appeals to those who frequently dine out or buy groceries, rewarding them with 2X miles on purchases at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets. Even casual flyers can find value through perks like priority boarding and the TakeOff 15 benefit, which offers a 15% discount on award travel, as detailed in a comprehensive review of the card.

_{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.}

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card comparison has left you looking for other options, you're in luck. Several other travel rewards cards might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review application rules: Issuers like Chase and American Express have specific restrictions that could affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application around large planned purchases to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
• Be mindful of issuer-specific rules, like Chase’s 5/24 rule or Amex’s welcome offer restrictions.
• Choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and travel patterns to maximize long-term value.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Which card is better for beginners in the travel rewards world?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is often recommended for beginners due to its flexible Ultimate Rewards points. These points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners, offering more options than being tied to a single airline like Delta.

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Can I hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Delta SkyMiles Gold cards?

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Yes, you can absolutely have both cards, and it can be a smart strategy for frequent travelers. This allows you to earn flexible points with Chase while enjoying specific Delta perks like free checked bags.

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How do the travel benefits differ beyond just earning points or miles?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers broad travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a primary auto rental collision damage waiver. The American Express® Delta SkyMiles Gold Card focuses on airline-specific perks, such as a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights; terms apply.

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