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Side-by-side

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa comes from Chime 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 ($960 more in estimated value) than the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChime Credit Builder Secured VisaDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonusNone80,000 bonus miles
Bonus value (est.)$0$960
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerChimeAmerican Express
Card categorysecuredairline
Best earning category (All_purchases)0x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • Free first checked bag
    • $200 Delta flight credit
    • Priority boarding
    • 2x on restaurants & groceries
    Read the full review
    Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa
    $0/yr · None
    Read the full review
    Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
    $150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles

    Editorial take: Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa

    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, Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa 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 None (~$0) on the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa.
    Is the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
    The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa 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 Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa.
    Can I have both the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chime 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 Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa: $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.