Apple Card vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Apple Card wins 4-0. Apple ecosystem users — daily cashback, instant in Wallet. 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 | Apple Card | Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 3% (shopping) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = No welcome bonus — daily cashback model | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 660 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.4/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Apple Card
- 3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases + select merchants (Uber, Walgreens, T-Mobile)
- 2% Daily Cash on all Apple Pay transactions
- 1% Daily Cash on physical-card purchases
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, no late fees
- High-yield savings account at 4.4% APY
- Privacy-first: no purchase data sold
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
›Apple Card vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: which is better?
Apple Card wins on more dimensions (4 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 Apple Card 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?
Apple Card: No welcome bonus — daily cashback model. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months.