American Express

Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card

3.5editor rating

Large welcome offer worth an estimated $600

Annual fee
$150
Welcome offer
~$600
Annual benefits value
-$150
Est. 1st-year value
$450

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Our review

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card brings Delta's low-cost, everyday travel perks to business owners and self-employed travelers who fly Delta occasionally. Like its personal counterpart, its most tangible benefit is first checked bag free on Delta flights, which can offset the modest annual fee in just a couple of trips, alongside priority boarding and a discount on in-flight purchases.

This card ranks in the middle of the Delta group because it pairs genuinely useful travel benefits with a low annual fee, while keeping business-friendly features such as separate expense tracking and a welcome bonus that is independent of the personal Delta Gold. It is a practical first Delta business card for an owner who wants to earn SkyMiles on company spending and save on the routine costs of flying.

Rewards accrue in Delta SkyMiles, a Delta-and-partner travel currency with dynamic award pricing and no fixed chart. The Gold Business suits a business traveler who takes a handful of Delta trips a year and wants the free checked bag and earlier boarding to smooth those trips, without paying for lounge access or a companion certificate.

Because the business and personal Delta Gold cards are separate products, it is possible to hold and earn a welcome bonus on each, subject to Amex's eligibility rules. That can appeal to owners who already carry the personal card and want to extend the same everyday benefits to their business spending.

Overall, the Gold Business is best for occasional-to-regular Delta business flyers who check bags and want a low-cost card. Owners who want a companion certificate should consider the Platinum Business, and those who want lounge access should look at the Reserve Business.

Why we like it

  • First checked bag free on Delta flights for you and companions on the same reservation.
  • Priority boarding on Delta flights.
  • A discount on eligible in-flight Delta purchases.
  • A modest annual fee that checked-bag savings can offset quickly.
  • A welcome bonus separate from the personal Delta Gold card.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Who it's best for

  • Business owners who fly Delta occasionally and check bags.
  • Self-employed travelers who want to earn SkyMiles on business spending.
  • Owners who want a low-cost first Delta business card.

Welcome bonus

The current public welcome offer shown above is in the range of 50,000 Delta SkyMiles after meeting a spend requirement within the first several months of card membership.

American Express offers vary by applicant and are frequently targeted, and Amex generally limits welcome bonuses to once per lifetime per card product; the business and personal Delta Gold are separate products with separate bonuses.

Treat the estimated value shown above as a guide rather than a fixed cash amount.

Using your rewards

Delta SkyMiles are best redeemed for Delta and SkyTeam partner flights.

Award pricing is dynamic with no fixed chart, so flexibility helps you get more value.

SkyMiles do not expire.

Airport lounge access

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business does not include Delta Sky Club access.

Lounge access among the Delta business cards is reserved for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business.

Foreign transaction fees

This card does not charge foreign transaction fees, so it can be used abroad without a surcharge.

American Express acceptance is sometimes narrower than Visa or Mastercard internationally, so carry a backup card when traveling.

Major credits & annual benefits

First checked bag free and priority boarding apply on Delta flights.

Cardholders receive a discount on eligible in-flight Delta purchases.

The card does not include a companion certificate or a Medallion status head start; those belong to the higher-tier Delta business cards.

Insurance & protections

Certain American Express protections may apply when you pay with the card, with the specifics set out in the benefit guide.

Coverage varies, so review the current benefit documents and pay with the card to trigger eligibility before relying on any given protection.

Fees & tradeoffs

The low annual fee is easy to offset with checked-bag savings, but the card lacks a companion certificate and lounge access.

SkyMiles are Delta-specific and priced dynamically, so value is less predictable than a flexible points currency.

Owners who want more premium perks should compare it against the Platinum Business and Reserve Business.

Final verdict

For an occasional Delta business flyer who checks bags, the Gold Business welcome bonus and free checked bag can outweigh the modest annual fee quickly.

Step up to the Platinum Business for a companion certificate or the Reserve Business for lounge access if your travel warrants it.

Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.

Is this card worth it for you?

Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.

Selected benefits
$50
Welcome offer
$600
Annual fee
−$150
Estimated first-year net
+$500

Welcome offer

Welcome offer value

Earn 50,000 points after $3,000 in spend within 6 months

$600

Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this

Benefits & credits

Total benefits & credits value

Estimated annual value of all tracked perks

$0

BenefitFrequencyEst. annual value

Free First Checked Bag

First checked bag free on Delta flights for cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation. Estimated value ~$35 per checked bag (typical domestic first-bag fee).

per_visit$35

Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding

Priority boarding on Delta flights. Estimated value ~$15 per flight (typical priority-boarding value).

per_visit$15

20% Back on Delta Inflight

20% back as a statement credit on eligible Delta inflight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.

Annual$0

Earning rates

Delta purchases2x
Dining2x
U.S. shipping & advertising2x

Who it's for

Consider it if

  • Large welcome offer worth an estimated $600

Maybe skip it if

  • Ongoing benefits may not cover the annual fee on their own

Fees & details

Annual fee
$150
Foreign transaction fee
None
Card network
American Express
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent (690+)
Rewards currency
Delta SkyMiles
Last updated
2026-07-25

Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.

How it compares

Delta Gold BusinessAmerican Express
Platinum CardAmerican Express
Business PlatinumAmerican Express
Annual fee$150$895$895
Welcome offer~$600~$3,000~$3,000
Est. 1st-year value$450$5,160.40$4,684
Annual benefits value-$150$2,160.40$1,684
Editor rating3.5 / 55.0 / 55.0 / 5
Points earning structure
  • 2x Delta purchases
  • 2x Dining
  • 2x U.S. shipping & advertising
  • 1x all other purchases
  • 5x Flights (booked with airline / Amex Travel)
  • 5x Prepaid hotels (Amex Travel)
  • 1x all other purchases
  • 5x Flights & prepaid hotels (Amex Travel)
  • 1.5x Purchases of $5,000+ & select business categories
  • 1x all other purchases
Transfer partners
Lounge access
No foreign txn fee
Recommended creditGood to Excellent (690+)Good to Excellent (690+)Good to Excellent (690+)