The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex — Low maintenance, easy savings

Co-branded airline cards can be hit or miss depending on your situation. In most cases, a general travel card will offer more flexibility and value for your points. Still, a card like the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex is a worthy addition to your wallet for several reasons, not least the 40,000-point intro bonus.

It’s not a premium card, so you won’t have access to the Sky lounges and shouldn’t be expecting any upgrades. But the free checked bag for everyone on your booking can offset the $95 annual fee (free the first year) with just one domestic round trip for a couple. While it’s never likely to be your day-to-day workhorse, it more than deserves its place as a useful card if you fly Delta even occasionally.

Pros:

• 40,000 point intro bonus after spending $2000 in six months

• Free first checked bag for the cardholder and eight others on the same booking

• Priority boarding on Delta flights paid for on the card

• 20% back on inflight purchases

• 2x points per dollar on Delta purchases, US supermarkets, and restaurants worldwide

Cons:

• $95 annual fee

• No premium perks

• Delta earnings aren’t too strong

• Requires Delta use to maximize value