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Gold Delta SkyMiles          Credit Card from American Express
Review: Gold Delta Skymiles Card from American Express
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Review of the

Gold Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express

Editor's Choice: Best GOLD AIRLINE Rewards Credit Card

Editor's Choice

Review Criteria

Score

Credit Card Rewards Earnings:

18/20

Rewards Program Award Selection:

18/20

Incentive and Bonus Programs:

9/10

Annual Fee Cost:

8/10

Card Benefits Score:

15/15

Probability of Card Approval Score:

14/15

Interest Rate & Balance Transfer Cost Score:

8/10

TOTAL: BEST GOLD AIRLINE CARD

90

Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express
Click to Apply

 

We recommend the Gold Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express as the Best Gold Airline Rewards Credit Card to those who would like to maximize the opportunity to earn frequent flyer miles on Delta Air Lines and its Airline, Hotel, Rental Car, and other Travel partners.

Top Three reasons to apply for the AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card:

  1. Generous Application Bonus: Complete an application and earn 15,000 bonus SkyMiles after your first purchase with the Card. Earn 2,500 bonus miles for adding an Additional Cardmember with their application.
  2. Bonus Miles for Spending: Always Double Miles on every eligible dollar you spend at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations and more. Earn one SkyMile for virtually every dollar you spend
  3. Express Approval: Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.

If You Charge ___ per month

Annual Points Accumulated in First Year

Value of Points earned for Free Hotel Rooms

Value of Points earned for Free Coach Airfare

Value of Points earned for Free Business Class Airfare

$100

16,440

$246

$329

$493

$500

22,200

$333

$444

$666

$1000

29,400

$441

$588

$882

Using this card can be worth more than $882 per year! Point Accumulation and Reward values are based on normal redemption and spending patterns derived from award charts provided by the Delta Skymiles Frequent Flyer Program.

     
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     

Earn Miles Toward Your Next Vacation
To get off to a flying start, you'll earn 15,000 bonus SkyMiles the first time you make a purchase with your Card. Earn another 2,500 miles just for adding a second Cardmember to your account. And that's just the beginning. You'll always earn Double Miles on every eligible dollar you spend at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, home improvement and hardware stores, and the U.S. Postal Service. You can also earn Double Miles when you use your Card to pay your wireless phone bill and for Delta purchases. Plus, you'll earn one mile for every eligible dollar on virtually every other purchase you make with the Card. And it's easy to ensure your miles never expire.

Benefits of the Card
For your added convenience, your Delta Frequent Flyer number is printed right on your Card, so you'll have your frequent flyer information handy whenever you need it. The Card has no annual fee for the first year and a fee of $95 thereafter ($55 is waived, annual fee reduced to $40 if you have a qualifying American Express Consumer Charge Card), a competitive APR and a grace period up to 20 days. Additional Cards are fee-free, so you can share virtually all the benefits and services with your friends or family members. Use your Card everywhere American Express Cards are accepted, and watch those SkyMiles add up!

Transfer Balances Fee-Free
Transfer balances from your higher-rate MasterCard, Discover, and Visa cards to your American Express Card account with no transaction fee! Then enjoy the low APR: a fixed rate of 9.99% for the life of the balance (until the balance is completely paid off), on BT requests submitted with this application.

Dedicated Customer Service
American Express is here to help you around the clock, with the kind of Customer Service that keeps Card members loyal for a lifetime. For immediate service, call the phone number on the back of your Card.

Access Your Account Online
You can view up-to-date billing information online, including transactions, charges, and payments.

Your Year End Summary: Available Online
Your Online Year End Summary of Charges gives you access to important information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Flexible features make organizing your expenses a snap - download the Summary and print it out; sort by date, merchant name, or charge amount; review charges made within a category, such as Travel and Restaurant. Your Year End Summary is an indispensable tool for preparing taxes and budgeting. You may also receive a paper Year End Summary in the mail by calling the number on the back of your Card.

     
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     
When you shop
  • Fraud Protection Guarantee: Covers you against unauthorized or fraudulent charges.
  • Return ProtectionVI: Guarantees your satisfaction on designated items within 90 days from the date of purchase.
  • Buyer's Assurance Plan: Mirrors manufacturers' warranties for covered products purchased entirely with your Card account, for up to one additional year.
  • Purchase Protection Plan: Protects covered items for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if it is stolen or accidentally damaged.
When you travel
  • American Express Online Travel: Find competitive, low prices on air, hotel, and car rental reservations, vacation packages, cruises, and last-minute deals, too.IX
  • Emergency Check-In: Check into a hotel and charge your stay with the Card, even if your Card has been lost or stolen.
  • Assured Reservations: Guarantee your hotel reservations with your Card and your room will be waiting for you even if you arrive late, or the hotel will provide you with a comparable room nearby, along with transportation to your new location.
  • Travel Accident InsuranceX: Provides up to $100,000 in accidental death and dismemberment insurance while traveling.
Emergency Services
  • Emergency Card Replacement: Receive a new Card if yours has been lost or stolen in as little as 24 hours.
  • Global Assist Hotline: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, we'll provide you with emergency assistance 24/7, including medical and legal referrals, visa/passport help, cash access, lost luggage and more.
Account Management
  • Access your account online 24/7: Pay your bill or view up-to-date billing information, including transactions, charges, and payments.
  • Online Year-End Summary: Organize your expenses in a snap - download and print the Summary; sort charges by date, merchant name, amount or category, such as Travel and Restaurant.XIII
Dedicated Customer Service
  • Around-the-clock Customer Service to help you with all your account needs.
     
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     
Shopping with the Card


Buyer's Assurance Plan
With the Buyer's Assurance Plan, you can shop worry-free knowing that the terms of the original manufacturer's warranty will be matched up to one additional year, on warranties of five years or less that are eligible in the U.S.

Fraud Protection Guarantee
Use the American Express Card online or off, and you won't be held responsible for any unauthorized charges. Period. No fine print, no deductible-just pure protection, so you can shop with confidence.

Purchase Protection
Shop with confidence and the Purchase Protection, which protects eligible purchases made with the Card against accidental damage and theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.

Save with American Express Selects
Offers, savings, entertainment, and special events. American Express Selects puts together great brands, Online ExtrasSM, and much more - all in one great place.


Traveling with the Card

American Express Preferred Rewards Travel Service
It pays to let American Express Travel plan your family or traveling party's vacation! Now, when you use the Card to book your getaway with American Express Travel, you'll not only enjoy a perfectly planned vacation, but if you qualify you'll also receive a credit to your account of up to $100 once a year. Call 1-866-AXP-6805 to learn more.

Global Assist Hotline
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, you have security and peace of mind 24/7 with medical, legal, financial or other emergency assistance, including medical and legal referrals, visa/passport help, roadside assistance, cash access and more.

     
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     

Baggage Insurance Plan
Travel in comfort knowing you are covered by the Baggage Insurance Plan when you purchase your Common Carrier tickets on your Card. Coverage is provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and $500 for checked baggage.

Emergency Check Cashing
Get access to cash when you need it most, at more than 1,700 American Express Travel Service locations worldwide. You can receive up to $10,000 per account every 30 days in the U.S. and abroad. For details, call 1-800-327-2177.

Assured Reservations
Guarantee all your hotel and motel reservations with your American Express Card account and your room will be waiting for you even if you arrive late. If you have an assured reservation and your room is not available, the hotel or motel will provide you with a comparable room that is nearby, along with transportation to your new location and a 3-minute phone call.

Emergency Check-In
Emergency Check-In enables a Cardmember to check into a hotel and charge his/her stay with the Card, even if the Card has been lost or stolen.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Relax and enjoy the ride when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for an auto rental! The Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Plan provides coverage for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles. Simply decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This coverage is excess to your other sources of insurance. Coverage applies for the first 30 days of an auto rental if rented from a Car Rental Company. Just call 1-800-338-1670 for more information and eligibility requirements.

Travel Accident Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance provides up to $100,000 in accidental death and dismemberment insurance while traveling on a Common Carrier Conveyance (plane, train, ship, helicopter, or bus) when the entire fare has been charged to the Card.

Emergency Card Replacement
Enjoy the security and convenience of access to Emergency Card Replacement services by calling 1-800-964-8542.

     
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     

The Delta Skymiles Program


With hundreds of ways to earn miles, the SkyMiles program is the shortest distance between you and Award Travel. Whether you’re traveling on company time or your own, you can earn mileage every time you fly that will count toward Award Travel to the destination of your choice. The SkyMiles program offers an array of opportunities to earn miles. From flying Delta or SkyTeam alliance partners to using the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express while staying at partner hotels, there are all kinds of ways to get closer to Award Travel.


Remember, to earn miles, you must provide your SkyMiles number every time you fly or take advantage of the many partner offers. Simply log in online or give your number at the time of reservation or purchase in order for mileage to be credited to your account. And you’ll find lots of ways to earn benefits that make a big difference in the way you travel. From upgrades to Medallion status, the SkyMiles program offers privileges designed to make your travels easier and more comfortable. Please note that all program terms and conditions, including mileage credit amounts, Award levels and partnership offers, are subject to change at any time without notice, and that all partner offers are subject to the terms and conditions of each particular offer.


Mileage Redemption Opportunities


SkySaver and SkyChoice Awards
When you are ready to redeem your miles for Award Travel, Delta provides you with choices as to how to use your miles. The choice that’s right for you depends on your travel needs:

SkySaver Awards: SkySaver is the name for Delta’s most economical SkyMiles Award. These Awards allow you to use your mileage for round-trip tickets in Coach/Economy, BusinessElite/Business or First Class. Award seat availability is limited, however, especially during peak travel periods, which vary by date, time and destination. SkySaver Awards are especially beneficial when your travel dates are flexible and peak travel periods can be avoided.

     
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Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     

SkyChoice Awards: SkyChoice is the name for Delta’s most flexible SkyMiles Award. SkyChoice Awards allow members to travel almost anytime, as SkyChoice seats are available on most Delta flights. Members should book travel early because SkyChoice Awards may not be available on some flights during periods of very high demand. SkyChoice Awards are available only for flights operated by Delta or the Delta Connection carriers and exclude upgrades and promotional awards, as well as flights on American Eagle, SkyTeam, and other carriers. Because SkyChoice Awards are similar to more expensive tickets, they require more mileage than a SkySaver Award–in most cases, twice as much. SkyChoice Awards cannot be redeemed for one-way travel or combined with another program Award.
Combinable Awards: You can now combine Coach, First Class/BusinessElite, SkySaver and SkyChoice travel into one Award Ticket and save miles in the process. For example, you can travel from Atlanta to London in a SkyChoice BusinessElite seat and return from London to Atlanta in a SkySaver Coach seat.

Pay with Miles
In addition to SkySaver and SkyChoice redemptions, Pay with Miles is a mileage redemption option that allows you to pay for eligible tickets with miles, money, or a combination of both. In some instances, Pay with Miles is more flexible than SkySaver and SkyChoice Awards, and you can choose whether you pay for all or part of the fare with miles. This option is an exclusive benefit for SkyMiles members with a Gold or Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. Pay with Miles redemptions can only be made when booking a trip on delta.com. Pay with Miles redemption levels and thresholds subject to change without notice. Visit delta.com/paywithmiles for current Pay with Miles redemption options.


Award Travel
Looking to learn how many miles you need for that special getaway? When you are ready, you can redeem your miles for Award Travel within the United States or around the world on Delta or any of our partner airlines. In fact, you have the convenience of using just one Award Ticket for travel to worldwide destinations on any combination of our SkyTeam partners. To learn how many miles you need, visit delta.com. You may redeem miles for Multi-Airline Award Travel on Delta, the Delta Connection carriers, Delta Shuttle, or any of the other multi-airline award partners: Aeroflot, AeroMexico, AirEuropa, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, Avianca, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, or Northwest Airlines. The number of miles you will need depends upon your itinerary. The mileage levels and benefits for each Award and each partner airline are subject to change at any time and are subject to the terms and conditions of each partner airline.

 

Delta Upgrades
You can also redeem your miles to upgrade certain coach tickets for travel in business or first class cabins. Miles can be redeemed for upgrades on Delta flights only. The mileage requirements for upgrades are subject to change at any time. Upgrades are subject to limited availability and may not be available on all flights. Please visit delta.com/awardtravel to check the current mileage requirements for upgrade Awards.

Crown Room Club Awards
For a more comfortable and productive travel experience, Crown Room Club membership provides a place to work or relax before your flight. Membership may be purchased using cash, check, credit card or by redeeming miles. For current pricing and mileage requirements, including special pricing for Medallion members, please visit delta.com/crownroom. Crown Room Club memberships are subject to all Crown Room Club membership terms, conditions and house rules, which may be viewed at delta.com/crownroom.

Other Airline Partner Awards
You can also redeem SkyMiles Awards to travel on many other airlines worldwide. The mileage levels for each Award are subject to change at any time. Please visit delta.com/awardtravel to check the current mileage requirements for SkyMiles redemption options on these other airline partners. Partner airline benefits subject to change and subject to the terms and conditions of each partner.

     
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card from American Express

Click "Apply Here" To Apply for the

AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Card

Click to Apply
     
 
2008 EDITOR'S CHOICE - TOP 5 MILE CREDIT CARDS
RANK
CARD
CATEGORY
RATING
APPLY
1 American Express          Preferred Rewards Green Card
OVERALL WINNER and CATEGORY WINNER:
Editor's Choice
Best NO ANNUAL FEE Rewards Card
Capital One No Hassle Miles Rewards Card
No Annual Fee. Earn free tickets with as few as 15,000 miles. Earn 25% more than regular mileage cards: 1.25 miles per dollar spent on purchases.
97
2 Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card
Best REWARDS PROGRAM Travel Rewards Card
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card

Receive up to 25,000 bonus points. No Fee 1st Year. Up to 6 Nights Free at 860+ Hotels. Redeem Starpoints for travel on 30 airlines. 5k airline pt bonus.

96
3 Capital One          No Hassle Points Rewards Credit Card
Best NO BLACK OUT DATE Travel Rewards Card

Miles by Discover Rewards Credit Card

No Blackout Dates. No Annual Fee. Up to 12,000 bonus miles upon card use. Miles NEVER exipre. Double miles on Travel & Restaurant purchases.
93
4 Gold Delta SkyMiles          Credit Card from American Express
Best GOLD AIRLINE Rewards Credit Card
Gold Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express
No Fee 1st Year. Earn 15,000 points with 1st Purchase. 2x miles on every day purchases. Earn Free travel on Delta & partners quickly. Express approvals.
90
5 Hilton HHonors Credit Card from American Express
Best PLATINUM Air Miles Card Credit Card
Hilton HHonors Platinum Card
Platinum Prestige. Earn 10,000 HHonors bonus points after your first purchase. Earn 15,000 Bonus Points After You Spend $5,000 in 5 Months.
88
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