6 Delta SkyMiles Gold Benefits You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Dia Adams
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
Choosing an airline credit card shouldn’t feel like shopping for a used car — where you’re overwhelmed with choices but are not entirely sure what you’re gonna get. You can see what the experts have to say about the best airline credit card, but the “best card” label is subjective, as is the question of whether it’s the best card for you.
After putting the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, an advertising partner, through its paces, here are the benefits worth talking about, from someone who’s actually swiped it for family trips and the occasional adventure abroad.
1. TakeOff 15: Your Miles Automatically Go Further
One benefit I didn’t expect to use as much was TakeOff 15. When booking a Delta flight with your SkyMiles, you get 15% off the miles required, as long as you book through Delta’s site or app. There’s no code to enter, as the site automatically calculates the lower price.
It’s straightforward and especially handy when booking flights for more than one person. If you like using miles for family tickets (maybe for a holiday or summer trip), you’ll notice those rewards stretch a little further with this card.
You can get deals with your Delta SkyMiles if you’re patient and flexible. I’m using them soon for a trip to Orlando, where you can fly business class for a jaw-dropping 11,400 miles from Washington, D.C., using the TakeOff 15 discount.
2. Free Checked Bags: Travel Without the Extra Fees
The savings from free checked bags are immediate and, for many travelers, the most appreciated feature. Just having the card means the first checked bag on Delta flights is free for you and up to eight others on your reservation, each way. So you could fly with the Von Trapp family and still get free bags with the Delta Gold Card. That’s a problem even Maria could solve.
You don’t have to buy the ticket with the card, but it’s essential that your SkyMiles number is attached.
When my family flew to the Midwest over the summer, the card covered the bag fee — $35 per bag that went straight back into the vacation budget. For anyone who’s paid out-of-pocket for baggage more than once, this quickly pays off the annual fee.
3. Priority Boarding: Less Stress, More Time
I’ll admit, I used to roll my eyes at “priority boarding.” But after a few flights where finding an overhead bin was a circus, this little perk grew on me. With the Delta Gold Card, you board in Group 5. The perk doesn’t get you first on the plane, but it’s enough of a head start that you’ll usually have space for your bag and a bit more calm as you settle in.
If you’re traveling with kids or carrying bulky items, being able to board earlier means one less thing to worry about. It’s a small change that makes flying smoother.
4. Delta Stays Credit: Use It Anywhere and Everywhere
Each year, the card gives up to $100 back as a statement credit when booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays. What’s unique is that you’re not locked into a big chain. Boutique hotels, villages, lodges — if you can book it through Delta Stays, you can get credit. For travelers who don’t chase luxury status or tend to pick smaller, off-the-radar spots, this means real flexibility.
I also appreciate that the Delta Stays credit is a one-time credit, rather than doled out in increments. This makes it a lot easier to use.
Pro Tip: Make this credit go farther by booking independent places for shorter stays, or share a rental with family and pocket the full credit rather than splitting minimal status perks. On a recent trip, I booked a rainforest resort in Panama using my Delta Stays credit — something totally outside the usual hotel points world. No elite benefits lost, but $100 saved is a clear win.
5. In-Flight Savings: A Quiet Money Saver
All of the Amex Delta credit cards offer 20% back on in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit. It’s easy to overlook the 20% savings on in-flight purchases until you’re actually hungry (or just in the mood for a movie). When you pay for a Bistro Snack Box or a Buffalo Trace Whisky with your card, you get 20% back as a statement credit automatically.
Those little charges add up if you fly several times per year — and with family, they really add up. There are no forms to fill out or codes to remember. Just buy what you want and look for the credit later.
6. $200 Delta Flight Credit After $10,000 Spend: Money Back in Your Pocket
If you put at least $10,000 in purchases on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card in a calendar year, Delta sends you a $200 flight credit to use within the next year. This is a straightforward bonus, especially if you use the card for its 2x earning categories on dining and at U.S. supermarkets.
It’s not some complicated “if-this-then-that” benefit. Hit the spending target, get the credit, and use it on your next flight — it helps justify the cost of a future trip without much planning.
Bottom Line
I decided to try out the Delta Gold Card because of its intro annual fee: ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.), but I easily got the $150 annual fee’s worth out of the card in perks and credits. In my wallet, the Delta Gold Card’s benefits make the card a keeper.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amex Delta Gold Benefits
How do you get the most out of the Delta Gold?
The key is to make use of the checked bag benefit as often as you can and to make sure to utilize the annual hotel credit. If you travel at least a couple of times a year, these alone can help you justify the annual fee.
Does the Delta Stays credit work for vacation rentals or independent hotels?
If the property can be booked — and prepaid — through Delta Stays, you’re good to go.
Do you have to use the Delta Gold Card to pay for the flight to get a free checked bag?
No, you just need your Delta SkyMiles number on the reservation.
Is the Delta Gold Card good for people who don’t travel every month?
Yes. Even a couple of Delta flights a year can make the card’s perks worth it, especially if you’re not loyal to one hotel brand or you frequently check bags.
Will the Delta Gold Card get me into Delta lounges or give me free upgrades?
You won’t get lounge access or automatic upgrades with the Delta Gold. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, an advertising partner, offers airport lounge access and upgrade eligibility at a higher $650 annual fee.
