As a frequent flyer, I fly Delta more than any other airline; in fact, in 2025, I logged 112,000 miles in the air, most of them with Delta and its partners in the SkyTeam alliance. Yet, even if you don’t fly nearly that much annually, there is one credit card I always recommend to people who want to avoid luggage fees on Delta and rack up bonus miles on many everyday purchases, but who don’t need all the costly perks of a premium card. It’s the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, and it’s an easy choice for people who aren’t necessarily Delta loyalists but still use the airline a few times a year.

We’ve chosen the Delta Gold Amex credit card not only as one of the best Delta credit cards but as one of the best American Express cards overall. It has an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, and then a $150 annual fee starting at your first renewal (see rates and fees), so you can try it out for a year to see if it fits the way you live and spend money.

Welcome offer: Earn as high as 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for one — you’ll need to apply first to see your personalized offer (with no impact to your credit score unless you’re approved and accepted).