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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase 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

For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($540 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Annual fee$95$150
Sign-up bonus75,000 points80,000 bonus miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$960
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerChaseAmerican Express
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
  • Free first checked bag
  • $200 Delta flight credit
  • Priority boarding
  • 2x on restaurants & groceries
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
$150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles

Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.

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, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 80,000 bonus miles (~$960) on the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 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.