Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold vs US Bank Altitude Connect
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
US Bank Altitude Connect wins 3-0. No-fee 4x travel — rare combination of no fee + premium earn rate. 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 | US Bank Altitude Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $150 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (travel) | 4% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
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
US Bank Altitude Connect
- 4x on travel + gas + EV charging stations
- 2x at restaurants + grocery + streaming
- 1x on everything else
- $30 annual streaming credit
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
- Cell phone protection
FAQ
›Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold vs US Bank Altitude Connect: which is better?
US Bank Altitude Connect wins on more dimensions (3 vs 0). 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, US Bank Altitude Connect 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. US Bank Altitude Connect: 50,000 points after $2,000 spend in 120 days.