Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

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ByDoug Milnes, CFA
Reviewed byBrett Holzhauer
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ByDoug Milnes, CFA
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Reviewed byBrett Holzhauer
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Updated: March 19, 2024

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Using the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card can be highly rewarding for professionals and business owners who often fly with Delta Air Lines. The two credit cards offer perks like priority boarding on Delta flights and have no foreign transaction fees.

However, there are significant differences between the Platinum Business Card and Gold Business Card. We explored this and other notable divergences between the two credit cards to help you decide which one is best for you.

Comparison Overview: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
  • Has Annual Fee
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  • Has Balance Transfer Offer
  • Has APR Offer
  • Cash Back Rewards
  • Travel Rewards
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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card At a Glance

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is well-suited for frequent Delta flyers, as cardmembers earn up to 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases and associated hotels. If you enjoy elite perks, the Status Boost feature can help you achieve Delta’s Medallion Status faster. This card lets you enjoy priority boarding and your first checked bag for free, saving you up to $60 per round-trip flight. You also receive a 20% statement credit on all eligible in-flight purchases.


  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

    A great card for frequent business travelers who want to enjoy Delta travel perks and pursue elite traveler status


    • 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 20.99%–29.99% VariableAPR
    • $350Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    Pros

    • High rewards potential
    • Generous welcome offer
    • Offers savings on Delta flights
    • With annual companion benefit

    Cons

    • Includes an annual fee
    • Requires good to excellent credit
    • High rewards are limited to Delta and hotels
    • Welcome Offer: Earn 65,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.
    • Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Members save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • With the $120 Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
    • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
    • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members. Ticket must be purchased on or after February 1, 2024 to be eligible to receive a complimentary upgrade.
    • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
    • Terms and limitations apply.
    • See rates and fees

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card At a Glance

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card provides opportunities to earn 2X miles per dollar spent on dining at restaurants, U.S. shipping and advertising in select media, and direct purchases with Delta. Cardmembers can use the miles they earn toward flights, merchandise, seat upgrades and more. Having no foreign transaction fees means this card is ideal for international travelers.


  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

    Great rewards for Delta loyalists


    • 1–2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    Pros

    • With welcome bonus offer
    • Get discounts and perks from Delta
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • No annual fee for first year

    Cons

    • Rewards have caps and categories
    • With annual fee after first year
    • Rewards can be complicated
    • Welcome Offer: Earn 55,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
    • Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
    • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
    • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
    • Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
    • Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.
    • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
    • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
    • Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
    • Terms and limitations apply.
    • See rates and fees

Comparison Summary

MoneyGeek’s Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card comparison explores the details of these two co-branded credit cards to help you decide which one is right for your needs.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary

Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection

Both cards offer purchase protection against theft, accidental damage and more, in addition to rental car loss and damage insurance.

However, only Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offers cell phone protection and trip delay insurance that can reimburse your non refundable expenses up to $10,000 per trip, up to $20,000 per year.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Welcome Bonus

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offers 50,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit when you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months.

On the other hand, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card welcome offer is 100,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Rewards

Cardholders will become members of the Delta SkyMiles Program, where they’ll earn miles that don’t expire and are redeemable for flights, seat upgrades, gift cards and more.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card lets you earn up to 3X miles on eligible purchases, while the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card lets you earn only up to 2X miles.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Annual Fee

The annual fee for the Platinum Business Card is $250, whereas the Gold Business Card is free for the first year, after which you’ll pay $99.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Loyalty Programs

Both cards belong to the same loyalty program.

Winner: Tie

Which Card Should You Get?

Determining whether the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card is right for you boils down to several critical factors, including your spending habits and the benefits you want.

Who Should Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card?

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card benefits small business owners with employees who frequently fly with Delta Air Lines. This card is also useful for those who don’t mind paying a higher annual fee for enhanced benefits.

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    Frequent flyers who want to fast-track their Delta elite status earn 10,000 MQMs for every $25,000 spent on purchases.

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    If you often travel with another person or associate, this card’s companion certificate could help you save hundreds of dollars each year.

Who Should Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?

If you’re a small business owner who wants to enjoy travel benefits without paying the high annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is ideal for you.

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    International travelers who wish to avoid paying foreign transaction fees.

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    Individuals who want to redeem their miles on flight-related upgrades rather than on hotel or car reservations.

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EXPERT OPINION

For most small business owners that fly a few times per year, the Delta Gold Business Card provides enough benefits without an overkill of benefits. However, if you fly more than a few times per year and are interested in earning status with the airline, it may be worth paying the annual fee for the Platinum Business Card. In fact, it could be worth paying the annual fee for the first year, earning the welcome bonus and then revisiting the decision between the two cards.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

Despite understanding the differences between the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card and Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card, you may be undecided about which one to choose. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is better than the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card in terms of benefits. However, the Platinum card also costs more and the welcome bonuses are more expensive to obtain. Consider whether the benefits vs. extra expenses of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card will benefit you and help you save in the long run.

Yes, it’s possible to apply for both cards.

This isn’t necessary as both cards will group the points earned into the same Delta SkyMiles account.

Yes. If one card no longer meets your spending needs, you can ask for a product change by contacting a customer service representative.

Both cards require a good to excellent credit score to meet approval guidelines.

With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, you have to spend $3,000 in the first three months to earn 60,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs). On the other hand, with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, you only need to spend $2,000 in your first three months to earn 50,000 bonus miles.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

If neither of these two American Express Delta SkyMiles business cards are calling your name, you may consider other travel credit card or business credit card options.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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