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Side-by-side

Bilt Blue vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Blue comes from Bilt / Cardless 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 ($860 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Blue's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the Bilt Blue after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt BlueDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonus$100 Bilt Cash80,000 bonus miles
Bonus value (est.)$100$960
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerBilt / CardlessAmerican Express
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Rent)1x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1x everywhere, no caps
  • Up to 1.25x on rent
  • Rent Day 2x on the 1st
  • Free first checked bag
  • $200 Delta flight credit
  • Priority boarding
  • 2x on restaurants & groceries
Read the full review
Bilt Blue
$0/yr · $100 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
$150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles

Editorial take: Bilt Blue

The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless. Flat 1x earn (no bonus categories — those live on Obsidian and Palladium). Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor + full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day still doubles everyday earn on the 1st.

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, Bilt Blue 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 $100 Bilt Cash (~$100) on the Bilt Blue.
Is the Bilt Blue's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The Bilt Blue 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 Bilt Blue.
Can I have both the Bilt Blue and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bilt / Cardless and American Express) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Bilt Blue or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Blue: $0 spend in 0 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.