Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
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Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins 3-1. Suburban families with kids — best US-supermarket card. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold is still the right call if delta loyalists — free first checked bag pays for the fee with one round trip..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Blue Cash Preferred | Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 6% (shopping) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 2.7% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Blue Cash Preferred
- 6% cashback on US supermarkets (up to $6K/year, then 1%)
- 6% on streaming subscriptions
- 3% on US gas stations + transit
- 1% on everything else
- 0% intro APR for 12 months
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
- 2x miles on Delta + restaurants + US supermarkets
- $200 Delta flight credit annually
- Free first checked bag (worth ~$60 each way)
- Priority Boarding (Zone 5)
- 15% miles discount on award flights
FAQ
›Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: which is better?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred wins on more dimensions (3 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its best categories, Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Blue Cash Preferred: $250 statement credit after $3,000 in 6 months. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months.