American Express® Gold vs Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Gold | Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $325 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Advertising | 1% | 2% |
| Shipping | 1% | 2% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 3% | 2% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $618 | $654 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Locked to Delta SkyMiles |
| Network | Amex | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of business spending, the American Express® Gold earns about $618 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business about $654, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Gold charges $325, but carries about $424 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The two are effectively tied on value, with the American Express® Gold marginally ahead, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Gold earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the American Express® Gold if you will use travel transfers, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. Note that American Express® Gold and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business are running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the American Express® Gold if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping.