Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card vs. Discover it® Cash Back
Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026 · Independently reviewed
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
American Express
4.1
Free first checked bag. 2x on Delta, restaurants, supermarkets.
Full review →
Discover it® Cash Back
Discover
4.5
5% rotating categories. Cashback Match at end of first year.
Full review →WealthSpott Verdict
Discover it® Cash Back wins on more measurable categories — particularly annual cost. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may still win for your wallet depending on your spending patterns.
Feature
Delta SkyMiles® Gold
Discover it® Cash
Annual Fee
$150/yr
$0 Best
Sign-up Bonus
40,000 miles
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
1x-2x
1%-5%
Rewards Type
Miles
Cash Back
0% Intro APR
N/A
0% for 15 months
Regular APR
21.49%-29.49% Variable
18.24%-28.24% Variable Best
Foreign Transaction Fee
None Best
Yes
Recommended Credit Score
670-850
670-850
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Pros
- Free first checked bag on Delta ($60+ per round trip)
- Priority boarding on Delta flights
- 2x on Delta, restaurants, and supermarkets
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- $150 annual fee
- Miles tied to Delta only
- Modest everyday earning rate (1x)
Discover it® Cash Back
Pros
- Cashback Match doubles first-year earnings
- 5% rotating categories
Cons
- Quarterly category activation required
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