Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game.
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Side-by-side
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase at $95/yr; the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex from American Express at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($660 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 75,000 points | 70,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $840 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $5,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | American Express |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | chase-ur | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
$150/yr · 70,000 miles
Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex
A good choice for Delta loyalists. The free checked bag and $200 flight credit easily offset the $150 annual fee if you fly Delta a few times a year.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus — 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 70,000 miles (~$840) on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex.
- Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
- At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and American Express) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 spend in 3 months. Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex: $3,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.