Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Review: Steep Annual Fee, Reliable Travel Perks

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For frequent Delta flyers, the Gold Business Amex Card elevates your travel. You start with a Limited Time Offer of 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months. The Offer Ends 10/23/24. Then enjoy $150 in annual statement credits through Delta Stays. Spend $10,000 yearly, and you'll earn a $200 Delta flight credit. With priority boarding and a free checked bag, this card is a must-have for business travelers seeking comfort and savings.

Another notable perk is secondary car rental loss and damage insurance, which offers coverage for up to 7 days at $30 per day when you use the Gold Business Card. While the card excels with airline-specific perks, its rewards on non-Delta purchases might not appeal to a broader field of consumers.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is a smart pick for Delta enthusiasts who travel frequently for business. With an impressive 90,000 miles bonus after spending $6,000 in the first six months and no annual fee for the first year, this card offers solid value right out of the gate.

It earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, U.S. shipping, U.S. advertising in select media and at restaurants — all ideal for business owners. Plus, you’ll enjoy a free first-checked bag, priority boarding and 20% savings on in-flight purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, it’s a great travel companion for international trips.

However, rewards for non-Delta purchases are limited and the annual fee of $150 kicks in after the first year. If you're not a frequent Delta flyer or prefer a card with more flexible rewards, you might want to explore other options. For dedicated Delta travelers, though, this card offers a mix of perks that can make your travel experience more enjoyable and cost-effective.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card offers a robust rewards program tailored for frequent Delta travelers. You can earn miles on various business-related expenses and enjoy several travel perks.

With this card, you earn:

• 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. shipping providers and U.S. providers for advertising in select media, up to $50,000 per category per year
• 2 miles per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants
• 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases

Special rewards earning opportunities include saving 15% on Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when booking through delta.com or the Fly Delta app. This can significantly boost your miles' value and help you achieve Medallion Status faster.

Miles never expire, giving you the flexibility to redeem them when it suits you best. The best redemption options are for Delta flights and upgrades, offering the highest value. Other options, like car rentals, hotel stays, gift cards and merchandise, are available but may offer less value.

Redemption Options

Reward flights and flight upgrades are where you’ll get the most bang for your buck, with value often ranging between 1.4 and 1.5 cents per mile. This is especially true for international trips and premium class upgrades, where your miles can stretch. For the best experience, consider using your miles for these high-value redemptions — it's where they truly shine. If you’re looking to maximize your rewards, this could be the way to go.

You can transfer Delta SkyMiles, but there are a few things to keep in mind. You can transfer miles to another SkyMiles member, which is handy if you want to share the love or pool miles for a bigger reward. Transfers cost a fee, typically around $0.01 per mile plus a flat fee, so it's worth considering if it’s the best value for your situation.

Keep in mind, though, that transferring miles isn’t the most cost-effective option for everyone. If you’re not careful, those transfer fees can add up, especially if you’re moving a large number of miles. Plus, the process is usually irreversible, so make sure you’re confident in your decision before hitting that transfer button. If you’re looking to maximize your miles, exploring other redemption options might be a better bet.

The Gold Business Amex Card elevates your travel experience by offering a substantial 90,000-mile bonus, free checked bags and priority boarding. With perks like car rental insurance and a high introductory bonus, it’s tailored for frequent flyers who value solid travel benefits.

Free Checked Bags: One of the standout features of this card is the free checked bag benefit. You and up to eight travel companions can each check a bag for free on Delta flights — a potential savings of up to $540 on a round-trip if you’re traveling with a full crew. Even if you’re just flying with one other person, this perk can quickly make up for the annual fee.

High Introductory Bonus: Kickstart your rewards with a hefty Limited Time Offer of 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months. Offer Ends 10/23/24. That’s a significant boost toward your next adventure, whether you're aiming for a domestic flight or saving up for something more exotic.

Car Rental and Damage Insurance: Enjoy extra peace of mind with secondary car rental loss and damage insurance. When you use the card for your rental, you'll get coverage for up to seven days, with a daily limit of $30, so you can drive confidently.

Priority Boarding: Get a head start on the boarding process with Zone 5 Priority Boarding. This means you’ll be among the first to board, snag overhead bin space and settle into your seat before the cabin fills up.

Miscellaneous Perks: You’ll also save 15% on award travel booked through Delta’s website or app and earn a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a year. Plus, there’s no foreign transaction fee, making it a solid choice for international travel.

While the Delta Gold Business Card doesn’t offer lounge access — a perk found with some higher-tier cards — it packs a punch with its valuable travel benefits and introductory offers, making it a strong contender for frequent Delta flyers and savvy business travelers.

The Gold Business Card has limited rewards on non-Delta purchases and a steep spending requirement for bonus miles. Be vigilant, though. After a year, the annual fee jumps to $150, which could impact overall value if you don't fully utilize the card.

Limited Rewards on Non-Delta Purchases: While the card offers 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and select categories, it only provides 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. This can limit your rewards potential if you spend significantly outside of Delta and the specified categories.

High Spending Requirement for Bonus Miles: To earn the Limited Time Offer of 90,000 Bonus Miles, you need to spend $6,000 in purchases within the first six months. This high spending requirement might be challenging for some users, especially if their business expenses don't align with this threshold.

Annual Fee After the First Year: The card comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, but it increases to $150 thereafter. This fee can offset some of the rewards and benefits if you don't maximize the card's perks.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is a more wallet-friendly option with an annual fee of $150 after the first year, especially compared to The Platinum Card® from American Express’s $695 fee; see rates and fees. While the American Express® Gold Card offers a solid 90,000 bonus miles, the The Platinum Card® from American Express ups the ante with a generous 125,000 miles for a slightly lower spending threshold.

The Platinum Card also adds perks like lounge access and higher rewards on Delta purchases, making it a compelling choice for frequent travellers despite the steeper annual fee. If you’re looking to maximize travel perks and rewards, the Platinum Card’s extra features could be well worth the investment.

Pairing the Delta Gold Business Amex Card with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex Card can elevate your travel benefits to new heights. The Platinum Card enhances your rewards with 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 2 miles per dollar on dining and U.S. supermarkets. Plus, it comes with perks like an annual companion certificate and access to Delta Sky Club lounges (with membership purchase).

This combination lets you earn more miles on Delta flights and everyday spending while enjoying premium travel perks. The Gold Card’s solid business rewards and the Platinum’s higher earning rates and extra benefits create a powerful duo that maximizes both your rewards and your travel comfort.

The Delta Gold Business Amex Card is a great choice for consumers and business owners who frequently fly Delta and want to amplify their travel perks. With a generous introductory bonus, free checked bags and priority boarding, this card can truly elevate your Delta experience.

However, if your spending leans away from Delta or you're seeking broader rewards options, the $150 annual fee after the first year might not be the best fit. For a card that balances flexibility with lower costs, you might explore general travel rewards cards or no-annual-fee travel cards.

We examined 102 cards to assess the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card. We evaluated a number of important characteristics, which are ranked according to relevancy as follows:

• Effective Reward Rate (20%): Rates how rewarding the rewards earning is, using different rewards multipliers to calculate an effective rate.
• Annual Fee (20%): Rates the annual fees from 1 to 5, where 5 is no annual fee. This helps assess how the card's costs align with its benefits.
• Dining Rewards Rate (10%): Measures rewards earned on dining expenses. This factor is important for evaluating how well the card performs in everyday spending categories.
• Expected Value to Traveler (40%): Measures the expected monetary value of rewards and perks, adjusted for annual fees, based on a person who travels two to three times per year. This reflects the card’s overall value proposition for frequent travelers.
• Airline Scope (20%): Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which is crucial for understanding the card's value for travelers who frequently visit various locations.
• Offer ROI (15%): Assesses the return on investment of the card's introductory offers and ongoing rewards, measuring how effectively these offers enhance the card’s overall value.
• Foreign Transaction Fees (5%): Evaluates the card’s foreign transaction fees, if any, which is important for travelers who frequently make purchases abroad.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Considers customer satisfaction with the card issuer, including factors like customer service, ease of account management and overall user experience.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Assesses the recommended credit score range for applying for the card, helping users gauge whether they are likely to be approved based on their credit profile.

MoneyGeek systematically compares and ranks credit cards using this methodology, passing on the knowledge and savings to your wallet.

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.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.