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Side-by-side

Capital One Spark Cash vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/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

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureCapital One Spark CashDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Annual fee$95$150
Sign-up bonus$1,000 cash bonus80,000 bonus miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,000$960
Min spend to unlock bonus$10,000 in 3 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerCapital OneAmerican Express
Card categorybusinessairline
Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one)5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • Free first checked bag
    • $200 Delta flight credit
    • Priority boarding
    • 2x on restaurants & groceries
    Read the full review
    Capital One Spark Cash
    $95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
    Read the full review
    Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
    $150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles

    Editorial take: Capital One Spark Cash

    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, Capital One Spark Cash or Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
    The Capital One Spark Cash has the bigger bonus, $1,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $1,000, versus 80,000 bonus miles (~$960) on the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card.
    Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
    At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One 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 Capital One Spark Cash or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 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.