Amex Business Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2026?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we're fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).

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• This card offers a straightforward way to earn Delta SkyMiles without the pressure of an annual fee.
• It comes with useful travel perks that are great for occasional international trips and in-flight purchases.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• A straightforward way to earn Delta SkyMiles without an annual fee.
• Useful travel benefits like no foreign transaction fees and savings on in-flight purchases.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks, such as complimentary checked bags or priority boarding.
• Reward redemption is less flexible, with options mostly limited to the Delta SkyMiles program.
• Offers minimal Delta-specific benefits when compared to the airline's premium co-branded cards.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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When deciding which is better Amex Business Gold or Delta SkyMiles Blue, it's essential to first look at the type of user each card is designed for.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is a versatile business tool designed for business owners and entrepreneurs with variable expenses across multiple categories.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This is an entry-level airline card perfect for occasional Delta flyers or budget-conscious travelers looking to earn miles without the commitment of a premium card.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: This card earns flexible rewards points that can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. Alternatively, points can be redeemed for travel booked through American Express, statement credits, or gift cards.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: As a co-branded airline card, its rewards are earned as miles within the Delta SkyMiles program. These miles are best used for booking flights with Delta and its partners.

Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial technology platform that helps you compare and select the best credit cards based on your actual spending habits, eliminating the guesswork from maximizing rewards.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with different cards using your real transaction data. This feature provides a personalized projection of your annual rewards and net value without a hard credit pull.
• Comprehensive card management: Manage all of your credit cards in one place, monitor your credit score, and track spending to receive actionable insights.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your existing credit card points when you shop at participating stores through the platform.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you sign up for a card through Kudos and find a better public welcome offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending history.

Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is best suited for established businesses with significant and varied expenses, particularly those spending over $50,000 annually. Its key feature is the ability to automatically earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two spending categories each billing cycle, on up to $150,000 in combined purchases per year, then 1X points. This structure makes it ideal for companies whose spending fluctuates across categories like advertising, shipping, or airfare, and who can maximize these rewards to justify the annual fee while enjoying premium travel protections (Terms Apply).

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is tailor-made for occasional Delta flyers and credit card minimalists who want to earn SkyMiles without paying an annual fee. It's also a strong contender for dining enthusiasts and international travelers, offering 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and no foreign transaction fees; terms apply. This card is ultimately best for those new to the SkyMiles program who value a straightforward, cost-free way to earn rewards on select purchases.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've reviewed our Amex Business Gold vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison and decided that neither the American Express® Business Gold Card nor the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the right fit for you, don't worry. Let's explore a few other top-tier cards that might better suit your needs.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most American Express cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend to earn the Welcome Offer.
• Review eligibility rules - American Express has application restrictions that may affect your eligibility for a Welcome Offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Select a card that aligns with your spending - Choose a card that rewards your most frequent purchase categories to maximize value.
• Check for a personalized offer - You can often view your specific card offer before committing to a hard credit inquiry.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What's the difference between a co-branded airline card and a general travel rewards card?

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A co-branded airline card earns miles with a specific airline and offers airline-specific perks. In contrast, a general travel rewards card provides more flexible rewards that can often be transferred to various travel partners.

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How do I choose between earning flexible points and airline-specific miles?

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If you are loyal to one airline, earning their specific miles can be very valuable for booking flights and upgrades. However, if you prefer the flexibility to book with multiple airlines or hotels, a card that earns transferable points is often a better choice.

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Can I have both a business credit card and a personal credit card from American Express?

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Yes, you can typically hold both business and personal credit cards from the same issuer. Eligibility for each card is assessed independently based on your personal and business credit profiles.

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