Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Bank of America Travel Rewards wins 2-1. No-fee travel — 1.5x flat with no FX markup, plus Preferred Rewards bumps 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 | Bank of America Travel Rewards | Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 1.5% (general) | 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel) | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.3/5 | = 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Bank of America Travel Rewards
- 1.5x points on every purchase
- Up to 75% bonus for Preferred Rewards clients (1.5x → 2.625x)
- Points redeem against any travel purchase, no blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
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
›Bank of America Travel Rewards vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: which is better?
Bank of America Travel Rewards 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 Bank of America Travel Rewards 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?
Bank of America Travel Rewards: 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 in first 90 days (~$250 travel). Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months.