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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card vs Mastercard Gold Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express CardMastercard Gold Card
Annual fee$0$1199
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMilesNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)$110$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $300 airline credit
  • $200 dining credit
  • $120 Global Entry credit
  • 2cpp cash back or airfare
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
Mastercard Gold Card
$1199/yr · No public welcome offer

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card

The $0 annual fee Delta business card. Holds the SkyMiles relationship alive at zero cost and earns 2X on Delta + restaurants. For business owners flying Delta even occasionally, the $150 Gold Business's first-bag-free and 2X shipping/advertising categories usually justify the upgrade.

Editorial take: Mastercard Gold Card

The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card or Mastercard Gold Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card has the bigger bonus, 10,000 Delta SkyMiles, worth roughly $110, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Gold Card.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Mastercard Gold Card's $1199 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Mastercard Gold Card's benefits to clear $1199 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card and Mastercard Gold Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays (Luxury Card)) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card or the Mastercard Gold Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Mastercard Gold Card: $0 in 0 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.