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Delta and Amex announce new bonuses for SkyMiles business credit cards — here's everything you need to know
If you’re a business traveler who frequents Delta Sky Clubs and constantly tracks your progress toward next-tier Medallion status, you may already know the value of a Delta Amex business card.
Following changes to the Delta SkyMiles program over the past few months, though, the airline’s lineup of business cards with American Express is getting an overhaul, too. Added benefits, updated annual fees, and new rewards categories may change how new applicants and existing cardholders alike use these cards to maximize business travel.
Here are all the changes you can expect from the Delta SkyMiles business credit cards, and how to choose the best Delta card for your small business.
Delta SkyMiles business credit card changes
Delta’s small business card update will affect three co-branded credit cards with Amex:
While the card changes vary, there are a few details that apply across the board. For one, annual fees are increasing. While it’s definitely possible to make up the difference with added benefits, it does require more of a yearly commitment.
Welcome bonuses can be extremely valuable for new cardholders. With the potential to earn up to 80,000 bonus miles, these offers can potentially give you hundreds of dollars back in flight value with Delta.
We’ll go through the individual card updates you need to know below, alongside more details about each Delta Amex business card.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Alongside the annual fee and welcome offer update, there are a couple of new perks with the SkyMiles Gold Business Card.
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$200 flight credit after spending $10,000 on purchases each year.
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Up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible prepaid bookings through Delta Stays.
Here are the other important details about the SkyMiles Gold Business Card:
- Annual fee$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- Welcome offerEarn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
- Card type(s)Travel, Airline, Business
- Ongoing Purchases APR20.24% - 29.24% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreGood, Excellent
- Rewards rate
- 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 purchases
- Benefits
- After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel
- Save 15% anytime you book award travel with miles on a Delta flight
- First checked bag free on Delta flights + zone 5 priority boarding
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
The Platinum SkyMiles business card is undergoing a huge change. For the extra $100 you’ll pay annually (see rates and fees), you’ll get a few additional rewards categories, more welcome bonus miles, and the following benefits:
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Companion Certificate (annual benefit after renewal) may now apply to a Main Cabin round-trip ticket to the Caribbean or Central America, in addition to domestic flights (not including taxes and fees).
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Get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year (along with $1 of MQD per $20 spent with your card).
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Up to $150 back in statement credits on eligible prepaid bookings through Delta Stays.
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$120 back in annual Resy statement credits (up to $10 per month, with enrollment).
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Up to $120 annual rideshare credits ($10 back per month, with select providers).
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Get added to the complimentary upgrade list for eligible flights, even if you’re not a Medallion member.
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Get Hertz Five Star status (with enrollment).
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Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
Here are more details about the Delta Platinum business card, along with a rundown of existing and new rewards categories:
- Annual fee$350
- Welcome offerEarn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
- Card type(s)Travel, Airline, Business
- Ongoing Purchases APR20.24% - 29.24% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreGood, Excellent
- Rewards rateEarn 1.5x miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more
- Benefits
- Earn an annual statement credit of up to $200 after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays
- Save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app
- Earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases
Read more: See our picks for the best American Express credit cards
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Like the Platinum SkyMiles business card, the SkyMiles Reserve Business Card has a vast number of new benefits to help cardholders make up the steep new $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). Here are the updates you’ll get in addition to the welcome bonus:
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Annual Companion Certificate (applies after renewal) may now be used for a round-trip First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin ticket to the Caribbean or Central America, as well as domestic destinations (not including taxes and fees).
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Get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year (along with $1 of MQD per $10 spent with your card).
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Up to $250 back in statement credits on eligible prepaid bookings through Delta Stays.
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Up to $240 back in annual Resy statement credits ($20 per month, with enrollment).
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Up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
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Save 15% when booking award travel on Delta flights.
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Get added to the complimentary upgrade list for eligible flights, even if you’re not a Medallion member.
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Get Hertz President’s Circle status (with enrollment).
Benefits aren’t the only way to get value from this card, though. Here are some more details and overview of the SkyMile Reserve Business Card’s rewards categories:
- Annual fee$650
- Welcome offerEarn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
- Card type(s)Travel, Airline, Business
- Ongoing Purchases APR20.24% - 29.24% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate3x miles on Delta purchases
- Benefits
- Earn an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com
- Check your first bag free on Delta flights
- Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad
Who are Delta SkyMiles business cards good for?
We like the Delta SkyMiles business cards from American Express for the potential value they offer travelers — especially with the latest overhaul of benefits. But they’re not for everyone.
Say you’re a small business owner who travels a lot and you prefer flying Delta; maybe you live near a hub like Atlanta, or you fly routes most frequented by the airline. These co-branded cards can help you save on your most frequent expenses with miles you can put toward future spending. They come with a variety of rewards categories, benefits to help you travel more efficiently, and perks designed to reward loyalty.
However, not every type of business owner will get the same benefit. If you don’t travel often, for instance, SkyMiles may not be the most valuable rewards currency for your business. Consider a more general points-earning business rewards card or even cash back that can go directly toward helping you save on business expenses.
Even if you do travel often, make sure you’re able to primarily fly Delta before you sign up for a SkyMiles card. If you’re unable to choose your preferred airline or your most common routes are better served by other carriers, you’ll probably maximize your spending more easily with another business credit card.
Whether choosing a card for personal use or business use, always compare your most frequent spending with the card’s rewards and benefits. Make sure the potential value not only outweighs the annual fee, but offers savings on your regular purchases over the long run.
Read more: Best credit cards for business
This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken
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