Amex Gold vs. Amex Delta Platinum

[Anonymous]

I'm currently an Amex Delta Gold cardmember and keep getting offers for both the Amex Gold charge card and the Delta Platinum card. 

The Amex Gold has an annual fee of $250 and Delta Platinum is $195.

The only real benefit I see with the Delta Platinum vs. Delta Gold is the free companion domestic RT ticket, and going from coast to coast, it could easily make up for the annual fee. That said, there are some bonus offers for the Gold card, 50k points I think.

I'd use the Amex Gold for everyday purchases, mostly groceries and restaurants, and I know the rewards are especially good for that. 

I do have a balance on my Delta Gold card, and was thinking of applying for a 0% promo APR card and doing a BT as well. 

Should I get both cards? Is the annual fee on the Amex Gold worth it? 

[Anonymous]

Hey!

Regarding the Delta Platinum: If you see some value, go for it! Do the math and see if the increase in AF pays off when comparing to the benefits + your spending. 

Regarding the Amex Gold: The card is really worth it IF you actually take advantage of all the credits because if you don't, then you lose a lot of value. If you know for sure that you can take advantage of the dining credit + travel credit then this card can be a great card to put all your spend on (or the majority of it at least).

[staticvoidmain]

They are vastly different cards. If I am in your shoes, I'd get the Gold charge card and upgrade to Delta Platinum.  Delta Platinum is a no-brainer if you use companion certificate: they essentially give you money for fare, not just "make up" the annual charge. 

[Peteyglad]

The Platinum companion pass is definitely worth the upgrade if you think you can use it. The main restriction is it needs to be a 3 night stay so you couldn't use it for a quite weekend getaway somewhere. It would need to be a long weekend. Last year I used my companion pass for a trip that was $600 a ticket. 

The other main difference between the Delta Gold and Platinum is the bonus miles and MQM's after hitting the 25k and 50k spend thresholds in a year. 

[NRB525]

One of the main reasons AMEX provides sign up bonuses is to encourage you to sign up for the card to try it out. If you fly Delta, have the Delta Gold, both the Gold and Delta Platinum have possible value to you.

My suggestion is to consider you will probably end up with each of those cards at some point, then can decide whether to keep or further refine later. There is not a real rush to get them, however.

The Delta Companion Passses in DP and Delta Reserve are only effective in the second year, but they willl be valuable for long term use of the cards.

The Gold earns points that Delta is a transfer partner.

The main thing to watch is, when is the SUB best? Delta Platinum probably not now. That has been 70,000 miles plus XX MQM on a regular basis, so wait for that. Gold 50,000 MR is as good as it gets.