Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex
A practical pick for small businesses that fly Delta. The free checked bag and priority boarding are the real perks; the 2x earning is merely okay.
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Side-by-side
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex vs Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($980 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex's. Get the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex | Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 bonus miles | 70,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $980 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $7,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | business | airline |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex
$150/yr · 60,000 bonus miles
Read the full review
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
$595/yr · 70,000 miles
Editorial take: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Pure Admirals Club access card. If you spend more than ~$850/year on lounge passes or visit AA hubs frequently, the $595 fee is a layup. The 2024 refresh added ~$360/year in Lyft/Grubhub/Avis credits that often go unclaimed, plus the free checked bag for 9 travelers is undersold for family travelers.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex or Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a public bonus (70,000 miles, worth roughly $980), while the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- At $150/yr, the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex and Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) 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 Gold Business Amex or the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex: no published min spend. Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: $7,000 in 3 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.