Delta SkyMiles® Gold vs Discover it® Student Cash Back
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold | Discover it® Student Cash Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | Cashback Match in year 1 | |
| Dining | 2x | 1x |
| Groceries | 2x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $382 | $292 |
| Points type | Locked to Delta SkyMiles | Cash back only |
| Network | Amex | Discover |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold earns about $382 a year in rewards and the Discover it® Student Cash Back about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold charges $150, but carries about $200 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Discover it® Student Cash Back has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold delivers more total value, about $40 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and dining. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Delta SkyMiles® Gold if your spending leans toward dining, groceries.