World of Hyatt 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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This section breaks down why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express.

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• You can earn double miles on several key spending categories, including Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets.
• While there is an annual fee after the first year (See Rates & Fees), the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
• The free checked bag benefit alone can offset the annual fee; for example, a family of four can save hundreds in baggage fees on a single round-trip flight. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• First checked bag is free for you and your companions on the same reservation.
• Accelerated rewards on spending with Delta, at restaurants, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Receive a discount on award flights when booking with miles on Delta.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like complimentary lounge access, priority upgrades, or a companion certificate.
• The rewards earning rate is not as competitive for spending outside of key travel and dining categories.
• Does not offer statement credits for expedited security programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs World of Hyatt

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, World of Hyatt or Delta SkyMiles Gold, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty. Both cards offer distinct advantages for different types of travelers.

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• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Hyatt properties. It is designed to help you earn bonus points on hotel stays and accelerate your path toward World of Hyatt elite status.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: This card is ideal for Delta loyalists who fly several times a year. It focuses on enhancing the flight experience with perks like free checked bags and priority boarding while earning miles on everyday purchases.

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Redemption

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at Hyatt hotels and resorts, but they also offer flexibility for room upgrades and transfers to airline partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: SkyMiles are your ticket to booking flights with Delta and its partners, though you can also use them for upgrades, vacation packages, and other travel-related rewards. Terms apply.

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Travel Perks

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• Both cards are ideal for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• The World of Hyatt card automatically grants you Discoverist elite status, which includes perks like premium internet and preferred rooming at Hyatt properties. The Delta Gold card, on the other hand, focuses on the airport experience, offering a first checked bag free on Delta flights and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding. Terms apply.
• While the World of Hyatt card doesn’t offer complimentary airport lounge access, the Delta Gold card provides access to the Delta Sky Club for a fee for you and your guests when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or operated flight. Terms apply.
• The Hyatt card’s ecosystem is built around its global hotel portfolio, though it also offers flexibility by allowing point transfers to a number of airline partners. Conversely, the Delta Gold card’s ecosystem is centered on Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam alliance partners, providing a vast network for booking award 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.}

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best option based on your personal spending habits.

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• The 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with any card by analyzing your actual spending data, all without a hard credit pull.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months of getting a new card.
• Access to Kudos Boost, which provides extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized card recommendations based on your spending history to ensure you're maximizing your rewards.

Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a natural fit for frequent Hyatt guests who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy enhanced stays. It also appeals to value-oriented travelers aiming for elite status, as the card provides a clear path to higher tiers through qualifying night credits. Additionally, couples or families who travel internationally can benefit from adding authorized users and the card's lack of foreign transaction fees, making this credit card a versatile choice for loyalists.

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 loyal Delta flyers who travel several times a year but don't fly enough to warrant a premium card with lounge access. Its value shines for individuals and families who can offset the annual fee with the free checked bag benefit alone, while also earning double miles on dining and at U.S. supermarkets. Ultimately, this card is for the practical traveler seeking tangible perks like priority boarding and award flight discounts to enhance their Delta experience, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our World of Hyatt vs. Delta SkyMiles Gold comparison didn't settle the debate for you, don't worry. There are plenty of other fish in the sea when it comes to travel rewards cards, and one of them might be the perfect match for your wallet.

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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.

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most successful applicants have good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement organically.
• Review application rules – Be aware of issuer-specific policies like Chase’s 5/24 rule or Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet spending requirements organically.
• Align the card with your habits – Opt for an airline or hotel card only if you’re a frequent customer of that brand.
• Don’t settle for a lesser offer – Some issuers let you view your offer before a hard credit inquiry, allowing you to decline and try again later.

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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Can I transfer points between World of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between World of Hyatt and Delta SkyMiles. They are separate loyalty programs with distinct airline and hotel partners.

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Which program is better for earning elite status?

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Earning elite status depends on your travel patterns; World of Hyatt is often considered more straightforward for achieving top-tier status due to fewer requirements. However, Delta offers more tiers and pathways to status through flying and credit card spending.

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What are the best ways to earn points in each program?

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The primary way to earn World of Hyatt points is through hotel stays and spending on their co-branded credit cards. For Delta SkyMiles, you earn miles by flying with Delta or its partners, as well as through their co-branded American Express cards and other partnerships.

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