Delta Gold card vs. the Delta Platinum card: Which is a better option for you?

• Delta offers several co-branded credit cards with Amex. Two of the most popular options are the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
• From now until April 1, both cards offering limited-time welcome bonuses that can earn you more miles.
• The Delta Gold card has a lower annual fee, and is a better option if you only fly Delta a few times a year,
• If you're a more frequent Delta flyer, the Delta Platinum card could be worth the higher fee thanks to benefits like an annual companion certificate and the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward elite status.
• See Business Insider's list of the best airline credit cards »

Delta and American Express have several different co-branded credit cards, and the welcome offers for these cards fluctuate throughout the year. Currently (through April 1, 2020), the welcome offers are at an all-time high, offering up to 100,000 miles to new cardholders who meet the minimum spending requirements.

If you're a frequent Delta flyer but aren't sure which card is right for you, you've come to the right place. We're going to take a look at the two Delta consumer cards that make sense for the majority of travelers: the Delta Gold Amex card and the Delta Platinum Amex card. We'll compare these two options to help you decide if either is the right pick for you.

Keep in mind that we're focusing on the rewards and perks that make these credit cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which will far outweigh the value of any points or miles. It's important to practice financial discipline when using credit cards by paying your balances in full each month, making payments on time, and only spending what you can afford to pay back.

Delta Gold vs. Delta Platinum: The biggest differences

Delta Gold Amex card

The Delta Gold card is best for the occasional or casual Delta flyer. It comes with a $99 annual fee that's waived the first year, and until April 1 it's offering a hefty welcome bonus of 60,000 Delta miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months of having the card. You'll also get an additional 10,000 miles after your first account anniversary, for a total of up to 70,000 miles.

If you spend at least $10,000 in purchases on the Delta Gold card in a calendar year, you'll get a $100 Delta flight credit, which can help offset the annual fee. The card recently added some new bonus spending categories where you can earn 2 miles per dollar spent: US supermarkets and restaurants worldwide.

While there are compelling reasons to get the Delta Gold card for its welcome offer and ongoing benefits, keep in mind that several cards offer better bonuses on spending at restaurants and Us supermarkets, and there are also plenty of cards - including the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card - that offer 3x points on all travel.

Click here to learn more about the Delta Gold card »

Delta Platinum Amex card

If you're a more frequent Delta flyer, you may want to take a look at the Delta Platinum card, which has a $250 annual fee and offers additional benefits.

Unlike the Delta Gold card, the Delta Platinum can help you earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta elite status. You'll earn 10,000 MQMs after you spend $25,000 on purchases with the card in a calendar year, and another 10,000 MQMs if you spend another $25,000 in the same year - for up to 20,000 MQMs. For reference, Delta Silver Medallion status, the lowest elite level, requires 25,000 MQMs.

The Delta Platinum card also offers up to a $100 credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You also get an annual Delta companion certificate each year upon account renewal that allows you to fly a companion with you on a domestic flight for only the taxes and fees.

Another minor benefit of the Delta Platinum card is the ability to access Delta Sky Clubs when you're flying Delta, at a discounted rate of $39 per visit. Also keep in mind that the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (with a $550 annual fee) offers complimentary Delta Sky Club access when you're flying Delta.

New cardholders who apply by April 1 can earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months and 20,000 additional miles after their first account anniversary.

Click here to learn more about the Delta Platinum card »

Delta Gold Business card vs the Delta Platinum Business card

There are also business versions of these two cards. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offer nearly identical welcome offers to the personal versions and very similar overall benefits.

To qualify for a business credit card, you don't necessarily need to own a formal business. Even freelancing or selling items on eBay could count.

Which card is right for you?

If you're a casual Delta flyer, the Delta Gold card is likely going to be a better fit for you. The increased benefits of the Delta Platinum card like the annual companion certificate, MQM Boost, and additional earning rates can be valuable for some flyers, especially those working toward Delta elite status. If you're a frequent flyer that doesn't already have a different card that offers an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, then that benefit might also help you justify the additional annual fee.

Earn up to 70,000 miles: Click here to learn more about the Delta Gold card »

Earn up to 100,000 miles: Click here to learn more about the Delta Platinum card »

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Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.