Monthly spending. We rank on rewards minus the full annual fee, so statement credits and perks are listed separately and never counted for you.
Choosing between the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (no annual fee) and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card ($150/yr) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value. Let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
Strongest in groceries at 3% (up to $6,000/yr). 3% at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail (each up to $6,000/yr).
Perfect if: You want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Apply NowStrongest in dining at 2%. 2x miles on Delta, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply Now| Feature | Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 after $2,000 spend in 6 months | 90,000 miles after $5,000 spend in 6 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.7% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 1% |
| Dining Rewards | 1% | 2% |
| Groceries Rewards | 3% (up to $6,000/yr) | 2% |
| Gas Rewards | 3% (up to $6,000/yr) | 1% |
| Rates with conditions not counted in the rows above |
None |
2% on Delta Earns 2% only on Delta purchases. Flights on other airlines, hotels and car rentals earn 1%. |
| Key Benefits | 3% at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail (each up to $6,000/yr). | 2x miles on Delta, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta. |
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express pulls ahead for groceries, gas spending.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card wins on dining.
The $150/year fee difference means Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card needs to earn about that much more in rewards to justify its cost.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express carries $264/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings), while Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card carries $540/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings). Those only count if you’d actually use them. Worth checking against your own habits before treating them as a discount on the fee.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.