The Delta Gold Card charges an annual fee and rewards frequent flyers, not everyday shoppers
The Delta Gold American Express Card is a co-branded travel card issued by American Express and Delta Air Lines. It costs $99 per year and is designed for people who fly Delta multiple times annually and want to earn miles on those flights plus everyday purchases. If you fly other airlines primarily, or fly Delta only once or twice a year, the annual fee will likely cost more than the rewards you earn back.
The card's main benefit is a companion certificate — a free round-trip ticket to fly with someone else — which you receive after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of opening the account. That certificate has real value if you plan to book a paid Delta flight anyway, but it comes with restrictions: you must pay taxes and fees (usually $5 to $50 per segment), the ticket is valid for one year, and you can only use it on flights where a paid ticket is available.
Key Takeaways
- The card costs $99 per year and is worth considering only if you fly Delta at least three or four times annually and will use the companion certificate.
- You earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else, which converts to cash value only if you redeem miles for flights or upgrades.
- The companion certificate arrives after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, but it expires one year later and does not cover taxes, fees, or seat selection.
- American Express charges interest on unpaid balances and may deny the card if your credit score is below 670 or if you have recent missed payments.
What the card earns and what it costs
The Delta Gold Card earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases — flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and in-flight purchases. On all other purchases, you earn 1 mile per dollar. You also earn 10,000 bonus miles after you meet the $3,000 spending requirement in the first three months, plus an additional 10,000 miles every year on your card anniversary.
The annual fee is $99, charged each year on your card anniversary. American Express also charges interest on any balance you carry month to month — the rate varies but typically ranges from 18% to 24% depending on your creditworthiness. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
To decide whether the card makes financial sense, compare the $99 annual fee against the value of miles you expect to earn. One Delta mile is worth roughly 1 cent when redeemed for a flight, though the value fluctuates. If you spend $5,000 per year on the card and $3,000 of that is Delta flights, you earn roughly 5,000 miles from spending plus 10,000 bonus miles on your anniversary — about $150 in value. Subtract the $99 fee and you net $51, plus the companion certificate if you use it.
The companion certificate and how to use it
After you spend $3,000 in the first three months, American Express mails you a companion certificate. This certificate allows one person to fly free on a Delta flight when you purchase a paid ticket on the same flight. The certificate is valid for one year from the date you receive it.
The certificate does not cover taxes and fees, which typically run $5 to $50 per flight segment depending on the route. You also cannot use it to book basic economy fares on some routes, and you must book through Delta directly — you cannot use it on third-party travel sites. Seat selection, baggage fees, and other add-ons are not included.
If you have a spouse or partner you fly with regularly, the certificate can offset the annual fee in a single trip. If you fly alone or rarely travel with someone else, the certificate may go unused and the $99 fee becomes pure cost.
Who qualifies and what credit score you need
American Express typically approves the Delta Gold Card for people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. The company also looks at your payment history — if you have missed payments in the past two years, your chances of approval drop significantly. If you have recently opened many new credit accounts, American Express may deny you or offer you a lower credit limit.
You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. American Express will pull your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion), which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
If you are denied, you can call American Express at the number on the process to ask why. Sometimes the company will reconsider if you explain recent circumstances, such as a job change or a one-time late payment. You can also reapply after six months if you have improved your credit score or payment history.
How Delta miles work and what they're worth
Delta miles are a currency you earn through the card and can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel perks. One mile does not equal one dollar — instead, the value depends on what you redeem it for. A flight that costs $300 might require 25,000 miles, making each mile worth about 1.2 cents. A flight that costs $600 might require 50,000 miles, making each mile worth 1.2 cents as well. On expensive routes or premium cabin seats, miles can be worth more.
You can also transfer miles to Delta partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic or Air France, though the transfer rate is usually unfavorable — you might lose 20% to 30% of your miles in the conversion. Most cardholders get better value by redeeming miles directly for Delta flights.
Miles do not expire as long as you have at least one Delta SkyMiles account activity in a 24-month period. Using the card counts as activity, so as long as you keep the card open and use it occasionally, your miles will not disappear.
Interest rates and how to avoid paying them
The Delta Gold Card carries a variable interest rate, meaning the rate changes based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. American Express does not publish a single rate — instead, you receive a range in the terms and conditions, typically 18.99% to 24.99%. Your actual rate depends on your credit score and payment history at the time you open the account.
Interest accrues daily on any balance you do not pay in full by the due date. If you carry a $2,000 balance at 21% interest, you pay roughly $35 in interest that month alone. Over a year, that becomes $420 — far more than the $99 annual fee. The best strategy is to pay your full statement balance every month, which costs you nothing in interest and maximizes the value of the miles you earn.
If you cannot pay the full balance, the card may not be worth the annual fee. A 0% introductory rate is not offered on this card, so interest begins accruing when ready on any unpaid balance.
Comparing the Delta Gold to other travel cards
Other airline cards charge similar annual fees. The United Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year but includes lounge access and higher earning rates. The American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Select Card costs $99 per year and also offers a companion certificate, but only if you spend $30,000 in a year. The Chase Sapphire Preferred costs $95 per year and earns points that can transfer to multiple airlines, giving you more flexibility if you fly different carriers.
If you fly Delta exclusively and take at least three trips per year, the Delta Gold Card is competitive. If you split your flying between Delta and other airlines, a flexible points card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred may offer better value because you can transfer points to whichever airline you're flying. If you rarely fly or fly only once a year, no annual-fee card makes sense — a no-fee card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns cash back instead of miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the companion certificate without spending $3,000?
No. American Express requires you to spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months to earn the companion certificate and the 10,000 bonus miles. If you do not meet this threshold, you do not receive the certificate, though you keep the card and can continue earning miles on future purchases.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles remain in your Delta SkyMiles account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if you do not have any Delta account activity for 24 months, your miles will expire. Using a different Delta card or flying Delta keeps your account active.
Can I use the companion certificate on a basic economy ticket?
It depends on the route. Delta restricts companion certificates on some basic economy fares, particularly on popular routes. You must check the specific flight before booking to confirm the certificate is allowed. If it is not, you can book a higher cabin class instead, though that costs more in paid ticket price.
What if my credit score drops after I open the card?
American Express may lower your credit limit if your score drops significantly or if you miss a payment. Your interest rate will not change unless you close and reopen the card. Missing payments will damage your credit score further and may result in the card being closed by American Express.
Is there a way to get the annual fee waived?
American Express does not waive the $99 annual fee for the Delta Gold Card. Some cardholders have had success calling to request a retention offer — a bonus or credit — if they threaten to close the card, but this is not may provide and American Express is not obligated to offer one.