Travel Hacking? Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Review

Best Credit Card Offer

This year, I have been using the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card for all of my travel purchases and I can definitely say that it has paid off! I have flown 3-4 roundtrip flights with Delta this year and here is my summary.

The sign-up bonus I received when I signed up paid in full for a round-trip flight from Chicago to New York and I still have 40,000 miles left to spend! (planning a new vacation as I speak!) Plus, each time I flew, both mine and my travel companions’ checked bags were free (that’s a $60 value per person)

I haven’t paid a yearly fee for the first year, but already got the value for the next 3 years! So, if you tend to travel at least 2 times a year, this card could definitely be worth it. And here is why this month is the best time to apply for the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card.

Sign Up Offer 

Well, first and foremost, if you use this link to sign up for this card and make $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership (you can do that easier if you buy all of your travel and holiday gifts with this card), you will get 40,000 bonus miles!  Also, after you make a 1st year anniversary, you will receive an extra 10,000 bonus miles!  

Note: The first-year fee is waived and the following years’ fee is $99. 

My Favorite Gold Delta Credit Card Benefits

As I’ve mentioned I’ve been really excited by some of this card’s benefits and here is why:

First Checked Bag Free

You get your first checked bag for free even if you’re flying basic. That’s unheard of! And you can use it for up to nine travel companions per reservation.

Priority Boarding

No matter how basic your seat reservations are, you are always entitled to receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights. No long lines and first ones on the plane – that’s how I like it!

New Benefits!

new bonuses

$100 Delta Flight Credit

Here is another reason to use this card: you will earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit after you make $10,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year.

Miles, Miles, Miles!

Apart from the huge signup bonus (which can pay for several round-trip flights), you can also earn 1 mile per dollar for purchases you make with your Card and 2 miles per dollar for Delta purchases. Plus, there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

New! 2X Miles on U.S. Supermarkets and Restaurants worldwide starting on January 30th, 2020!

No Foreign Transaction Fees

There are no foreign transaction fees from American Express, it’s a travel card after all!

Rental Car Insurance

You know how you never want to pay for the rental car insurance, but you do? When you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental car counter, you can be covered if the car is damaged or stolen. Please read important exclusions and restrictions on their website. (Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, does not include liability coverage.)

Related: 18 Ways to Travel More in 2023

Advantages

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If you sign up by following this link and spend $1000 with this card within the first 3 months, you will get 40,000 bonus miles which can be up to 4-5 flights, depending on the price! I will receive 15,000 miles for referring you! It’s a win-win!

As I mentioned above, my favorite perks are: 

  • Sign Up Offer
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
  • First checked luggage free
  • $100 Delta Yearly Flight Credit

Disadvantages

There are a few things that made me think before I signed up for this card and they include: 

  • While the first year is waived, there is a $99 yearly fee 
  • APR can be a bit high if you don’t pay in time: 17.24% – 26.24%
  • Effective January 30, 2020: Delta Sky Club® Access will no longer be available on the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card

Since I travel quite a bit, for me, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. But because of the high yearly fee, this card may not be for everyone. 

What is your favorite travel credit card? I love travel hacking and saving money when traveling so I would love to hear from you!

5/5 - (2 votes)
Hi, I'm Marina, passionate traveler and blogger, based in the United States and travelling the world. Thanks for following me on my life and travel adventures!

15 Comments

  1. Nina | Lemons and Luggage
    December 18, 2019

    I’ve never had a travel credit card, but I think sometimes credit cards can be quite useful, especially for online shopping.

    Reply
    1. Marina
      December 18, 2019

      Depending on where you’re from, it could be very useful! If you’ve never had a credit card, I would recommend getting one without an annual fee. Through credit cards, you can get cashback and bonuses and build your credit score. I buy everything with credit cards, just don’t forget to set up an automatic payment!

      Reply
  2. Lydia
    December 19, 2019

    I’ve always tried to avoid credit cards because of the debt but with the amount that I travel, this does seem really interesting!

    Reply
    1. Marina
      December 19, 2019

      No, there is no debt or anything if you pay it off every month! Only the benefits!

      Reply
  3. WanderlustBeautyDreams
    December 19, 2019

    This is so great, thanks for sharing. I’m in need of a new travel card and this just sounds like the right one to have!

    Reply
    1. Marina
      December 19, 2019

      It’s a good one! You should definitely check it out!

      Reply
  4. Nicole Hunter
    December 19, 2019

    Using credit cards for free travel miles is the single best reason to use any credit card! I have a few and I always get at least 4 business class tickets a year. Love it.

    Reply
    1. Marina
      December 19, 2019

      Nice! I’ve never gotten a business flight yet!

      Reply
  5. Claire
    December 19, 2019

    Right now I use the capital one venture one card because it has no annual fees, but I haven’t actually used any of my miles yet so thanks for this post!

    Reply
  6. Carrie Ann | Should Be Cruising
    December 19, 2019

    I love my Delta SkyMiles card, too 🙂 I’ve had mine for about five or six years now, and I love the free checked bags. I always save way more than what I pay for the annual fee from that perk alone 🙂

    Reply
    1. Marina
      December 19, 2019

      Yes, that’s my favorite perk too! Glad you are enjoying it!

      Reply
  7. Albi
    December 20, 2019

    I never knew that there are so many benefits to credit cards like this. I usually hop into whatever plane goes to the destination I want to be, but this seems usefull

    Reply
  8. Sana
    December 20, 2019

    I have never really tried a travel card. You have mentioned some really good offers here. I am going to keep an eye out for them from now on!

    Reply
  9. Crystal Garman
    December 22, 2019

    This is very interesting. I have not had a travel card yet. Looks like some great benefits!

    Reply
  10. Shannon
    December 22, 2019

    This sounds like a great travel card! Might have to look into this 🙂

    Reply

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