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Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard comes from Bank of America 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 ($710 more in estimated value) than the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 25,000 WorldPoints | 80,000 bonus miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $250 | $960 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Bank of America | American Express |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Norwegian_cruise_line_purchases) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard
$0/yr · 25,000 WorldPoints
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
$150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles
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, Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard 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 25,000 WorldPoints (~$250) on the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard.
- Is the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- The Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard 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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard.
- Can I have both the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bank of America 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 Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard: $1,000 spend in 3 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.