All credit cards
Side-by-side
Citi Simplicity Card vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Citi Simplicity Card comes from Citi 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 Citi Simplicity Card's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the Citi Simplicity Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Citi Simplicity Card | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no late fees, no penalty APR, and no rewards program | 80,000 bonus miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $960 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | American Express |
| Card category | airline | |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Citi Simplicity Card
$0/yr · No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no late fees, no penalty APR, and no rewards program
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, Citi Simplicity Card or Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a public bonus (80,000 bonus miles, worth roughly $960), while the Citi Simplicity Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Citi Simplicity Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- The Citi Simplicity Card 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 Citi Simplicity Card.
- Can I have both the Citi Simplicity Card and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi 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 Citi Simplicity Card or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Simplicity Card: no published min spend. 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.