Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
Even with the $150 annual fee waived in year one, we generally recommend the Delta Business Platinum or Reserve for better long-term value. The Gold is a good option to pick up quick miles without adding to your 5/24. The right choice depends on how often you fly Delta and whether you value premium cabin access or traveling with a companion.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card is American Express's entry-level Delta-specific business card. It offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 in the first six months. This card can be an excellent introduction to airline-specific credit cards, though its value diminishes once the $150 annual fee kicks in after the first year.
Key benefits include:
- $150 in annual Delta Stay credits, which effectively offsets the annual fee
- 15% discount on award travel bookings
- 20% savings on in-flight purchases
- Zone 5 priority boarding
- First checked bag free on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 additional companions on the same reservation.
You can also earn $200 in flight credits by spending $10,000 within a specified period. However, since the sign-up bonus only requires $4,000 in spending, the additional expenditure might be better used toward meeting another card's sign-up bonus requirements.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- You fly Delta more than once per year and would get better value from the Reserve or Platinum card.
- You want this card but prefer to wait for a higher sign-up bonus; this card has offered 90,000 points in the past.
What to Know About Delta SkyMiles
Delta is a good point system for both domestic and international flights.
- Delta offers many cards, making initial collection relatively easy. But the Amex 1/7 Rule limits that ability over time.
- Delta is part of the Amex partner reward system and is a decent transfer value.
- We save Delta points for specific flights, perhaps direct domestic or best value international.
- We use easier-to-collect point systems such as Southwest and American ahead of Delta.
How The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Credit Card Fits In The Delta SkyMiles Ecosystem
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card sits at the entry level of Delta's business card hierarchy, offering fewer premium benefits than its higher-tier counterparts:
- Lowest tier in out of Delta's three business cards
- 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in six months
- $150, waived for first year
When comparing to Delta's other two business cards:
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card is the premium card (with the highest annual fee):
- $650 annual fee
- 80,000 mile sign-up bonus
- Annual companion certificate valid for first-class redemption
- Comprehensive Delta SkyClub lounge access
- Enhanced travel credits and premium travel benefits
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card is the middle tier card:
- $350 annual fee
- 70,000 point sign-up bonus
- Main-cabin companion certificate annually
- First checked bag free
- Multiple statement credits that help offset the annual fee
The Gold makes sense only if you plan to fly Delta once in the first year, are traveling solo, or want to avoid an annual fee. However, those who fly Delta even semi-regularly, especially with companions, will likely extract more value from either the Platinum or Reserve cards despite their higher annual fees.
It's worth noting that Delta has this same lineup of personal cards that might also merit consideration. But the business card options won't affect your 5/24 standing, making them valuable for credit card optimization, and they are not part of the Delta Family Rule, so you can get them in whichever order you like.
My Experience, No Filter
This one was tough for me because I don’t recommend it. If you’re going to sign up for a business card, you should always start with the Chase Ink or Chase Sapphire Business cards. But having said that, I actually loved having this card.
I grabbed it because I needed a business card. I had maxed out my 5/24 rule with Chase, and I wanted to keep a low profile by looking into other business card options until I could start applying for Chase cards again. I was also honing in on my spending, and the six months to meet the minimum spend appealed to me, along with the annual fee waived for the first year.
I did collect my miles and store them, since they do not expire, and I canceled the card before I could use the first checked bag benefit or priority boarding. For me, it made sense at the time. Delta miles are great to collect and save for a rainy day, and this is a good card to do that with.
Card Information
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Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
You might not be allowed to get a second card for a separate business (EIN)
Amex will decline your application if you already have 5 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a sixth
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
