Find Your Best
United℠ Business Card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Updated: December 5, 2024
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Both the United℠ Business Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card are ideal credit cards for frequent business travelers seeking an option that excludes foreign transaction fees.
However, the most suitable option will depend on your needs. The United℠ Business Card, for instance, gives you various luxury benefits and a $100 credit if you purchase at least seven flights costing over $100 per year. Meanwhile, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card gives you a $100 credit once you spend $10,000 in a calendar year.
Comparison Overview: United℠ Business Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- United℠ Business CardDelta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
United℠ Business Card At a Glance
The United℠ Business Card credit card provides various perks, including 25% cash back on in-flight purchases and a $100 United travel credit. In addition to having no foreign transaction fees, the card comes with perks applicable in more than 1,000 luxury resorts and hotels around the globe, such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and early check-in. However, you will pay an annual fee of $99.
- United℠ Business Card
Solid travel card for United fans
- 1–2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
- 21.99% – 28.99% VariableAPR
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Generous bonus miles offer
- Bonus miles during card anniversary
- 2x miles on diverse categories
- With travel perks
Cons
- High variable APR
- Travel-focused benefits only
- Introductory Offers
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
- Rewards
- Earn 2x miles per dollar on local transit and commuting, including train tickets, taxi cabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services.
- Earn 2x miles per dollar at gas stations, dining (including eligible delivery services) and office supply stores
- Earn 2x miles per dollar on United purchases
- Earn 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Receive a 5,000-mile bonus each anniversary with both this card and a personal Chase United card.
- APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 annually.
- Perks & Benefits
- Receive a free first checked bag, potentially saving up to $160 per roundtrip.
- Get two United Club one-time passes per year.
- Benefit from priority boarding privileges.
- Receive a $100 United travel credit after seven United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card At a Glance
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is best suited for personal and business travelers who spend regularly at restaurants and on advertising and shipping. Cardholders can earn a $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 each calendar year, as well as 55,000 miles for spending at least $2,000 on purchases within the first three months. The card offers purchase protection, various insurance options and no annual fee in the first year.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Great rewards for Delta loyalists
- 1–2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- High introductory bonus miles offer
- First checked bag free on Delta flights
- Car rental and damage insurance
- Priority boarding on Delta flights
Cons
- Limited rewards on non-Delta purchases
- High spending requirement for bonus miles
- Annual fee after the first year
Introductory Offers
- Earn 60,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $4,000 in the first six months of card membership.
- Enjoy a $0 annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. See Rates and Fees
Rewards
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and dining.
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on U.S. shipping and advertising in select media, up to $50,000 per category annually.
- Earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Perks & Benefits
- First checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights.
- Receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in a year.
- Get up to $150 annual statement credit for bookings through Delta Stays.
- Save 20% on eligible Delta in-flight purchases.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- No foreign transaction fees. See Rates and Fees
- Terms Apply.
Comparison Summary
You can use the table below to compare and contrast the most notable features of the United℠ Business Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection | Both cards have travel assistance and purchase protection, including rental car insurance and lost luggage reimbursement. With the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, you will get reimbursed up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked luggage. However, United℠ Business Card reimburses up to $3,000 per person and provides additional insurance plans for trip interruption and cancellation as well as trip and baggage delays. Cardholders also enjoy complimentary concierge services 24 hours a day. Winner: United℠ Business Card |
Welcome Bonus | Both American Express and Chase offer a welcome bonus to new cardholders. United℠ Business Card holders can earn 75,000 miles if they spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card holders get 55,000 miles for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months. Winner: United℠ Business Card |
Annual Fee | United℠ Business Card comes with a $99 annual fee. With the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, you pay no annual fee the first year, then $99 per year after that. Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card |
Rewards and Benefits | Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Cardholders earn unlimited miles. These include 2X miles on every dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, advertising in selected U.S. media, U.S. shipping purchases and dining at restaurants. Additionally, cardholders earn 1X miles on each dollar spent on purchases. These miles can only be used for flights, merchandise, gift cards and seat upgrades but cannot be redeemed for hotels or car rentals. United℠ Business Cardholders earn 2X miles on purchases from United, including flight tickets and in-flight food, beverages and internet. They also earn 2X miles on dining, gas stations, office supplies and commuting, plus 1X miles on other purchases. Winner: Tie |
Travel Credit | The United℠ Business Card allows you to earn a $100 United travel credit after completing seven United flights costing at least $100 each year. You also get 25% back on United in-flight purchases. With the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, you will get a $100 credit after spending $10,000 on purchases in one calendar year, plus 20% savings on in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit. Winner: United℠ Business Card |
Which Card Should You Get?
Before choosing either the United℠ Business Card or American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card, you should first consider your credit card needs. The better option will depend on those essential features you’re looking for in a credit card.
Who Should Consider the United℠ Business Card?
United℠ Business Card is among the top credit cards for business travelers seeking to earn miles on their travel that don’t expire. The card is a great fit for anyone looking to earn rewards on business expenses, without a large annual fee.
Small business owners with fair credit would greatly benefit from the card’s rewards program by earning bonuses on expenses like office supplies, gas stations, internet services and flight tickets.
Frequent travelers can save hundreds of dollars over time since the card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees and offers in-flight savings.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is ideal for frequent flyers and business owners seeking to earn loyalty status for using their card. The card has a lot to offer to routine users, including a valuable welcome offer, no annual fees in the first year and no foreign transaction fees.
Individuals and businesses that regularly use credit cards to pay for online advertising, dining or domestic shipping.
Small business owners who want to give their employees a company credit card without paying an annual fee — you can even set up spending limits and earn miles on what your employees spend.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
These cards are closely similar, so the best of the two cards solely depends on your home airport and airline of preference. For example, if you’re a small business owner in Atlanta, the Delta Gold Business card will likely be the better fit. In addition, be sure to analyze the different spending categories of both cards to see which one would earn you the most miles.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Selecting the best credit card for your needs can be overwhelming. You can use MoneyGeek’s responses to these commonly asked questions to help you compare the United℠ Business Card and the American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card and make the right choice for you.
Is the United℠ Business Card better than the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
Choosing the right card for you will depend on your needs and how you intend to use it. Both cards let you earn rewards on business expenses. However, if you want to maximize in-flight savings or need an option that offers luxury benefits such as concierge services, the United℠ Business Card is the better choice.
Can you get the United℠ Business Card if you have an Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
Yes, you can apply and get both cards if you think doing so would be in your best interest.
Can you transfer points from United℠ Business Card to Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
You can’t transfer points from the United℠ Business Card to American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card.
Can you switch from the United℠ Business Card to the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
Yes, you can easily switch from the United℠ Business Card to an American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card anytime since different issuers offer the two cards.
What’s harder to get, the United℠ Business Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card?
It’s relatively easy to get both cards. However, the approval process will depend on whether you meet the qualifications, including a good credit score. Luckily, you do not need to worry about the 5/24 rule with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, which only applies to Chase Bank credit card applications.
How much do you have to spend for the United℠ Business Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card to get the welcome bonus?
United℠ Business Cardholders get a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles if they spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months. By contrast, American Express Delta SkyMiles Gold Business cardholders receive 50,000 bonus miles plus a $50 statement credit for spending $2,000 within the first three months of opening the account.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
Both the United℠ Business Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card offer excellent options for small business owners. But if you’re interested in cards that provide more benefits, you may consider other rewards cards.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- American Express. "Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card." Accessed December 5, 2024.
- Chase Bank. "United Business Credit Card: Airline Rewards." Accessed December 5, 2024.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.