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Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Review
February 6, 2025
As a business owner who travels frequently, finding the right credit card to maximize your travel benefits while earning rewards on business expenses is crucial. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers a compelling mix of travel perks and business-focused rewards that could make it an excellent addition to your wallet.
In this detailed review, we'll examine everything from bonus miles opportunities to employee card options, helping you determine if this card aligns with your business needs and travel habits.
What Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is a co-branded business credit card designed for small business owners who frequently fly Delta Air Lines. This card sits in the middle tier of Delta's business credit card lineup, offering a balance of travel benefits and reasonable annual fee.
With this card, business owners can earn miles on everyday purchases while enjoying Delta-specific perks such as a free checked bag, priority boarding, and in-flight purchase discounts. The card caters specifically to business spending categories, including office supply store purchases, shipping providers, and advertising in select media.
The card features an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99 thereafter, making it an accessible entry point for businesses looking to earn Delta SkyMiles without committing to a premium-tier card with higher fees.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Pros & Cons
Before diving deeper into the card's features, let's examine the key advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
- Generous Welcome Offer: New cardholders can earn substantial bonus miles after meeting minimum spending requirements within the first few months
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Save on international business trips with no additional charges on purchases made abroad
- Free First Checked Bag: Cardholders and up to 8 companions on the same reservation enjoy a first checked bag free on Delta flights, potentially saving $60 per person roundtrip
- Priority Boarding: Enjoy Zone 5 priority boarding, allowing you to settle in earlier and secure overhead bin space
- Employee Cards at No Additional Cost: Add employee cards with spending limits to help manage business expenses
- $100 Delta Flight Credit: Earn a $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year
- Discounted Delta Sky Club Access: Purchase day passes at a reduced rate when traveling
Cons:
- Limited Premium Travel Benefits: Unlike higher-tier Delta cards, it doesn't offer complimentary Delta Sky Club access or companion certificate benefits
- No TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Application Fee Credit: Some competing business travel cards offer statement credits for these expedited security programs
- Category Bonuses Could Be Stronger: While it offers bonus miles on Delta purchases and select business categories, the multipliers aren't as high as some competitor cards
- Limited Luxury Travel Perks: No access to premium experiences like The Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounges that come with higher-tier cards
Who Is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card For?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is ideally suited for:
Small Business Owners Who Fly Delta Regularly
If your business travel routinely involves Delta flights but not frequently enough to justify a premium card, this mid-tier option strikes a good balance. The free checked bag benefit alone can pay for the annual fee with just two roundtrip flights per year.
Business Travelers Seeking Basic Delta Benefits
For those who value priority boarding, free checked bags, and discounted in-flight purchases without needing premium lounge access or luxury perks, this card offers the essential Delta benefits without the higher annual fee of premium cards.
Companies With Moderate Travel Needs
Businesses with several employees who travel occasionally on Delta will appreciate the ability to add employee card options with no additional annual fees, while earning miles on their combined spending.
Businesses With Spending in Bonus Categories
If your business regularly spends on shipping providers, advertising in select media, or at office supply stores, the bonus earning categories align well with your expenses.
Comparing the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card With Other Credit Cards
When considering the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the business credit card category:
Capital One Venture X Business (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 spent
- Standout feature: Cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million per calendar year
- Standout feature: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, access is limited to eligible Card Members
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card excels in offering a balance of travel benefits and reasonable annual fee
- Capital One Venture X Business offers high travel rewards
- Ink Business Preferred® provides strong points on business-related categories
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features premium travel perks
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Key Features and Benefits
Earning Miles
- 2X miles on eligible Delta purchases
- 2X miles on purchases at restaurants worldwide
- 2X miles on U.S. shipping providers and U.S. advertising in select media
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Offer
New card members can earn a substantial welcome offer of bonus miles after meeting minimum spending requirements in the first few months of card membership. The exact offer terms may vary, so check the current promotion when applying.
Delta Travel Benefits
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
- Zone 5 priority boarding
- 20% statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases
- $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year
- Discounted access to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on Delta flights
Business Management Features
- Employee card options with the ability to set spending limits
- Integration with QuickBooks
- Year-end summary reports
- Account alerts and employee card spending notifications
- Access to vendor pay by Bill.com
Insurance and Protection
- Baggage insurance plan
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
Consider Using Kudos
While the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers excellent benefits for Delta loyalists, savvy business owners should maximize every purchase. This is where Kudos comes in as a perfect complement to your credit card strategy.
Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that helps you get the most out of your credit cards whenever you shop online. It works seamlessly alongside your Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card by:
- Automatically suggesting which of your credit cards (including your Delta card) will earn the most rewards for each purchase
- Integrating with over 15,000 stores, ensuring you never miss a reward opportunity
- Offering exclusive "Flash Boost" events where you can multiply your rewards up to 5X
- Helping you discover new credit cards that might complement your Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business card based on your specific spending patterns
For business owners already juggling multiple responsibilities, Kudos simplifies the process of maximizing rewards across all your credit cards, ensuring you're always using the optimal card for each purchase.
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Our Expert Takeaway
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card strikes a balance between valuable Delta benefits and a reasonable annual fee. For business owners who regularly fly Delta but don't need premium lounge access or luxury perks, this card offers compelling value through its free checked bag benefit, priority boarding, and bonus miles on business-focused spending categories.
The card's strength lies in its everyday utility for Delta flyers, with the potential to easily offset its annual fee through tangible travel benefits. The inclusion of business management tools and no-fee employee cards enhances its appeal for small to medium businesses.
However, businesses with heavy travel needs or those seeking premium experiences might find more value in upgrading to the Platinum or Reserve Business versions of the Delta card lineup. Similarly, those without loyalty to Delta might benefit from more flexible business rewards cards.
Ultimately, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card serves its target audience well: Delta-flying business owners seeking practical benefits without a premium price tag.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card FAQ
What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
The card has an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99 thereafter. This allows businesses to test the card's benefits before committing to the ongoing fee.
How do I earn the welcome bonus?
To earn the welcome bonus of bonus miles, you'll need to spend a specified amount on eligible purchases within the first few months of card membership. Review the current offer terms when applying, as these requirements may change.
Do employee cards cost extra?
No, you can add employee cards at no additional cost. You can also set spending limits on employee cards to help manage business expenses effectively.
What are considered "eligible purchases" for earning miles?
Eligible purchases are transactions for goods and services minus returns and credits. They do not include balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, fees, interest charges, or government-imposed taxes and fees.
Does the card offer a companion certificate?
No, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business card does not offer a companion certificate. This benefit is available on higher-tier Delta cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum and Reserve Business cards.
Can I access Delta Sky Club lounges with this card?
While the card doesn't offer complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges, cardholders can purchase day passes at a discounted rate when traveling on Delta flights.
Does the card cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees?
No, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business card does not offer statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. This benefit is available on some premium travel cards.
Can I earn Medallion status faster with this card?
The Gold Business card does not offer a direct path to accelerating Medallion status. Higher-tier Delta cards offer benefits like Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waivers that help earn status faster.
What happens to my miles if I cancel the card?
Your Delta SkyMiles won't expire and will remain in your SkyMiles account even if you cancel the card. However, it's always best to verify the current Delta SkyMiles program terms regarding mile expiration.
Is there a mileage accelerator option?
The card itself doesn't offer a specific mileage accelerator feature, but you earn accelerated miles (2X) on specific categories including Delta purchases, restaurants, U.S. shipping, and U.S. advertising in select media.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
