Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Capital One Spark Cash Plus wins 2-1. High-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome. 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = $150 | = $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 2% (travel) | = 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
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
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No preset spending limit
- Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: which is better?
Capital One Spark Cash Plus wins on more dimensions (2 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold for its best categories, Capital One Spark Cash Plus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.