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Side-by-side

American Express Schwab Investor Card vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Schwab Investor 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the American Express Schwab Investor Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAmerican Express Schwab Investor CardDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonus10,000 Membership Rewards points80,000 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 (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
  • Free first checked bag
  • $200 Delta flight credit
  • Priority boarding
  • 2x on restaurants & groceries
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
$150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles

Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

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, American Express Schwab Investor 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 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
Is the American Express Schwab Investor Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The American Express Schwab Investor 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card.
Can I have both the American Express Schwab Investor 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Schwab Investor 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.