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The
Delta Gold Business Card Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
If you fly Delta with any regularity, you need one of the best Delta credit cards — and if you're a small-business owner, the
Even if you rarely use the
If you don't fly Delta too often but still want to accrue Delta miles, you may instead consider opening a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points, like
Here's everything you need to know about the
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Delta Gold Business Card Rewards
Delta Business Gold welcome bonus offer
The Delta Gold Business card is currently offering a welcome bonus of
How to earn miles with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card
This card isn't a fabulous choice for most everyday spending. However, it does have a couple of helpful bonus categories. Here's what you'll get:
- 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
- 2 miles per dollar at restaurants
- 2 miles per dollar on eligible U.S. purchases for shipping and advertising in select media (Effective 1/1/2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year.)
- 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Insider estimates that Delta miles are worth 1.1 cents each, on average. That means your average return rate is between 1.1% and 2.2%, on average, toward travel. Several American Express Membership Rewards cards earn higher returns for spending — and you can transfer those points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio — so if your motivation to open the
Delta miles don't expire, so you can freely earn them without fretting as to when you'll be able to use them.
How to use miles from the Delta Business Gold card
You can redeem Delta miles for much more than just travel, but we recommend that you don't; the value you'll receive from your rewards is almost always worth the most when used for flights.
Insider's valuation of Delta miles (again, 1.1 cents each) is based on the average value you'll get when booking award seats. You can redeem Delta miles for flights on Delta and its SkyTeam alliance and non-alliance partners (Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, etc.). In other words, you can get to just about anywhere in the world with Delta miles.
Delta prices its award seats based on demand, season, cash price, and perhaps many other factors. To see how many miles a flight costs, you'll have to search for the exact date and time on Delta's website.
You'll occasionally find excellent sale prices, both domestic and international. If you're willing to let the deals guide your vacations, you can easily get many times the value Insider places on Delta miles. Coach flights as low as 2,000 miles one-way for domestic routes and 9,000 miles one-way for international routes crop up here and there.
Another redemption option this card unlocks is the ability to use Delta Pay With Miles to effectively offset the cash price of a ticket with miles. You'll get a value of 1 cent per mile, and you must redeem in increments of 5,000 (or $50). For example, if a flight costs $610, you could book the trip with 60,000 miles and $10.
Other ways to redeem your miles (again, often at an unreasonable redemption value) include:
- Seat selection and upgrades
- Delta Sky Club lounge memberships
- Certain Delta fees (like ticket changes and award ticket redeposit fees)
- Gift cards
- Magazines
- Tour vouchers
- Charity donations
- Delta Vacations packages
- Premium drinks in Delta Sky Club lounges
- Delta SkyMiles Experiences
Delta Gold Business Card Benefits and Features
The
Free first checked bag
You and up to eight companions on your reservation receive a free first checked bag on Delta flights. Delta regularly charges $30 each way for the first checked bag, so this benefit can offset the card's annual fee even if you and a travel buddy fly Delta once per year.
And if you travel as a family, you can get a huge value — four people with a checked bag each on a round-trip itinerary would normally incur fees of $240 for their luggage.
Priority boarding
Cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation receive Delta Main Cabin 1 priority boarding — even when flying Basic Economy — which means you'll have more time to get settled into your seat and find room in the overhead bins for your carry-on bag.
The Main Cabin 1 group boards after passengers flying in premium cabins and most elite members, but before other economy class travelers or those flying in basic economy.
TakeOff 15 discount
The
This perk could save cardholders a lot of miles if they redeem for Delta award flights frequently. Keep in mind that partner award flights aren't eligible, and only primary cardholders (not authorized users) can get the discount.
$100 Delta flight credit
If you spend $10,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year on your
20% back on inflight purchases
When you use your card to pay for inflight purchases like drinks, food, or audio headsets on Delta flights, you'll receive 20% back in the form of a statement credit.
Car rental insurance
This card offers secondary car rental insurance when you use the card to pay for your rental in full and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver. Coverage is for theft or damage only (not liability) and some rentals, vehicle types, and countries are excluded, so be sure to read the terms.
Purchase protection
When you pay for an eligible item with your card, you can be covered with purchase protection for loss or damage up to 90 days from the date of purchase, up to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year.
Extended warranty
Cardholders can also get an extended warranty on eligible items when they use their card to pay — up to one additional year added to eligible US manufacturers' warranties of five years or less.
Baggage insurance
If you pay for a covered trip with your card, you can be covered for baggage loss or damage, up to $500 per person for checked bags, and $1,250 per person for carry-on luggage. As with similar credit cards with travel insurance, there are exclusions for high-risk items and some states have different limits, so check the terms and conditions for specific details.
Global Assist Hotline
This card also comes with a little-known perk that can be a lifesaver if you have an emergency while you're away from home. Cardholders get access to Amex's Global Assist Hotline, which can help arrange things like passport replacement, medical referrals, and translation services. The service itself is complimentary, but you're responsible for any third-party costs.
Amex Offers
Similar to other American Express cards, the
Delta Gold Business Card Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
Keep in mind you'll pay interest (currently a
There are also fees for certain situations to be aware of:
- Cash advance fee
- Late payment fee
- Returned payment fee
How the Delta Gold Business Card Compares
Gold Delta SkyMiles Business credit card vs other Delta business cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 2x miles on eligible Delta purchases 2x miles on eligible US purchases for advertising in select media and on eligible US shipping purchases (Effective 1/1/2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year.) 2x miles at restaurants 1x miles on all other eligible purchases | 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases 3x miles on eligible purchases made directly with hotels 1.5x miles on single transactions totaling $5,000+ (up to 50,000 additional miles per calendar year) 1x miles on all other eligible purchases | 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases 1.5x miles per dollar after you spend $150,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year (through the remainder of the calendar year) 1x miles on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Travel benefits | Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights $100 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit 15% off Delta award flights with TakeOff 15 | Annual Delta companion certificate Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights Discounted Delta Sky Club access (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available) Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 on purchases in a calendar year (up to two times) (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/ Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit 15% off Delta award flights with TakeOff 15 | Annual Delta companion certificate, valid for up to first class Access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta (effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter) Access to Amex Centurion Lounges when you pay for your airfare with your card and fly Delta Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $30,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year (up to 4 times per year) (effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/ Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit 15% off Delta award flights with TakeOff 15 |
Review |
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Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express card vs other airline business credit cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 2x miles on eligible Delta purchases 2x miles on eligible US purchases for advertising in select media and on eligible US shipping purchases (Effective 1/1/2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year.) 2x miles at restaurants 1x miles on all other eligible purchases | 2x miles on United purchases 2x miles on dining, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit and commuting 1x miles on all other purchases | 2x miles on American Airlines purchases 2x miles at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations 1x miles on all other purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Travel benefits | Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights $100 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit 15% off Delta award flights with TakeOff 15 | Two United Club one-time passes per anniversary year Free first checked bag on United flights* Priority boarding on United flights 25% back on United inflight purchases $100 United credit after making seven or more United flight purchases of $100 or more each card anniversary year 5,000 bonus miles each card anniversary when you have the United Business Card and a personal United credit card 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) for every $12,000 you spend on purchases (up to two times per calendar year) Expanded access to United award flights | Free first checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights 25% back on American Airlines inflight purchases Domestic companion certificate when you spend $30,000 on purchases in a calendar year and renew your card |
Review | CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select American Airlines card review |
*When you use your card to pay for your ticket, or the taxes and fees on an award ticket
Delta Gold Business Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is eligible for the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card?
Because this is a small-business credit card, you're only eligible to apply if you've got a business venture, even if it's a side gig. For example, if you're a pet sitter on Rover, if you drive for Lyft or Grubhub, or if you're a freelance writer, you may qualify for a small business card.
Also, note that you won't qualify for the
However, each Delta credit card is considered entirely different. If you already have or had other Delta cards, like the
What credit score do you need for the Amex Delta Gold Business Card?
We suggest to anyone with a credit score below 700 to stay away from travel credit cards until they've nurtured their credit a bit more. Still, it's possible to be approved for the
If you cancel the Delta Gold Business Card, will you lose your miles?
When you earn Delta miles with your
Do you need to pay for your ticket with the Amex Delta Gold Business Card to get a free checked bag?
As long as you hold an annual fee-incurring Delta credit card and your loyalty number is attached to your flight reservation, you do not need to pay with your
Only the primary cardholder (not authorized users) qualifies for this benefit. But as long as authorized users are traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardholder, they'll get a free checked bag and priority boarding, as the primary cardholder's free checked bag benefit extends to up to eight companions on the same reservation.
Is the Gold or Platinum Delta Business card better?
The best Delta card for you depends entirely on the value you'll get from each card's ongoing benefits. If you're a frequent traveler and can use benefits like an annual Delta companion certificate and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, it's likely worth paying a higher annual fee to hold the
If you're only an occasional Delta flyer, the
Methodology: How We Reviewed the Delta Gold Business Card
Insider's experts compared the
- Simplicity — Is the card's earning and redeeming structure easy to navigate? Are there lots of ways to redeem rewards?
- Earning potential — Are the card's bonus categories useful to small-business owners, especially with respect to travel? Are there spending caps on any bonus categories?
- Annual fee — Is the annual fee reasonable and is it worth it when you consider the card's benefits and rewards?
- Benefits — Does the card offer perks, including day-of-travel/airline benefits, that are useful to a broad range of travelers?
You can find out more about Insider's methodology by reading our article on how we rate credit cards.