American Express · Airline miles · Amex

Delta SkyMiles Gold: what it's really worth

The Delta SkyMiles Gold has a $150 annual fee ($0 the first year). For a typical household spending $2,070 a month, it's worth about $1,322 in year one and $292 each year after.

Annual fee$150$0 the first year

Sign-up bonus$88080,000 miles after $3,000 in 6 mo

Net value · year 1$1,322

Net value · each year after$292

Reported as up to 80,000 miles plus a $250 statement credit, ending 11/04/2026. Spend terms vary.

Calculate it with your own spending

Is the annual fee worth it?

Probably not worth the fee after year one for typical spending: the no-fee Hilton Honors Card would net about $214 a year more. It can still make sense if you spend more in its bonus categories or use more of its credits.

How you earn

Category	Rate	Value per $1	Per year*
Dining	2x	2.2¢	$79
Groceries	2x	2.2¢	$132
Hotels	1x	1.1¢	$11
Flights	2x	2.2¢	$26
Gas	1x	1.1¢	$20
Streaming	1x	1.1¢	$5
Everything else	1x	1.1¢	$119

*At typical monthly spending: dining $300, groceries $500, hotels $80, flights $100, gas $150, streaming $40, everything else $900. 2x on Delta purchases, restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.

Credits and perks

$100 Delta Stays credit — On prepaid hotels booked through Delta Stays. We count about $50 a year, since most people don't use every dollar.
First checked bag free
Priority boarding
Foreign transaction fee: none

Who it's for

Delta flyers — a free checked bag saves $70+ per round trip
$0 annual fee the first year
Not ideal: People who don't fly Delta

Can I get it?

Recommended credit: Good
American Express rules: Welcome offers are generally once per lifetime per card. Amex usually tells you before approval if you won't get the bonus.
Amex: Not accepted everywhere: less common abroad and at some small businesses. Not accepted at Costco warehouses.

Check the current offer at American Express

Updated Oct 30, 2026.