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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card from American Express at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($850 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles80,000 bonus miles
Bonus value (est.)$110$960
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Delta)2x2x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free first checked bag
  • $200 Delta flight credit
  • Priority boarding
  • 2x on restaurants & groceries
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
$150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

The entry-level Delta card with no annual fee. Useful for keeping SkyMiles alive at $0/year and locking in 20% off in-flight Delta purchases plus no FX fees. For anyone flying Delta even one round trip a year, the $150 Gold's first-bag-free benefit usually justifies the upgrade.

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

A good choice for Delta loyalists. The free checked bag and $200 flight credit easily offset the $150 annual fee if you fly Delta a few times a year.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has the bigger bonus, 80,000 bonus miles, worth roughly $960, versus 10,000 Delta SkyMiles (~$110) on the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's $150 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's benefits to clear $150 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card: $3,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.