Introduction:
Metal credit cards enhance the airline reward program for frequent business professionals, providing excellent value for their investments. The combination of premium durability and status benefits enables metal credit cards to give travelers access to superior travel privileges, including priority boarding access, free checked baggage, and exclusive usage of elite airport lounges.
The selection of a sensible metal business card will increase travel enjoyment and maximize expenses through airline-specific rewards for those who prefer airline rewards or broader travel rewards. This article examines the most valuable metal business and airline credit cards that operate in the United States under American Express, Citi, and Delta leadership.
Summary Table (TLDR)
Top 5 Metal Cards for Business & Airline Benefits in the USA for [2025]
| S. N. | Name of Reward Credit Card | Best Feature/ Known For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | Companion certificate & Delta travel perks |
| 2 | Citi® / AAdvantage BUSINESS™ Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Admirals Club Lounge Access |
| 3 | The Business Platinum Card® from AMEX | Premium travel and lounge access benefits |
| 4 | American Express Business Gold Card | Flexible earnings on business spending categories |
| 5 | American Express Corporate Platinum Card | Exclusive Corporate travel & luxury perks |
Best Metal Cards for Business & Airline Benefits in the USA for [March 2025]
Looking for the best metal business credit cards with top airline perks? Whether you’re a frequent flyer with Delta, American Airlines, or prefer luxury travel benefits, we’ve rounded up the best options for March 2025. Explore premium rewards, lounge access, and elite travel perks tailored for business owners and executives.
1. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
This card is best used by Delta business travelers who aim to earn the most SkyMiles and want to experience first-class travel amenities. It offers priority boarding, a checked bag free, and an annual companion certificate, making it perfect for travelers who frequently use domestic flights to offset travel expenses.
Travel Rewards
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – AMEX
- Credit Score – Good – Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 20.99% – 29.99%
- Annual Fee – $250
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – 20.99% – 29.99%
- Sign-up Bonus – 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months
- Best For – Business Owners, Frequent Travelers
A business-friendly travel card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Amex helps entrepreneurs earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and eligible hotels, plus 1.5x miles on large business purchases. It also offers an annual companion certificate, making it great for frequent business travelers.
For a $250 annual fee, it requires a good to excellent credit score (700+). Benefits include priority boarding, a free first-checked bag, and a referral program for earning bonus miles.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Rewards | 3x miles on Delta purchases | MQD Boost for Delta Medallion Status |
| Business Benefits | 1.5x miles on single transactions over $5,000 | 20% off in-flight purchases |
| Airline Miles | – | Trip delay & baggage insurance |
| Companion Certificate (domestic, round-trip) | – | – |
| Free first checked bag | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Strong Delta travel perks
- Helps earn elite status faster
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- Limited to Delta Airlines
- Companion certificate has restrictions
- Fewer lounge benefits.
Expert Advice
To get the most value, use this card to buy Delta Tickets, office materials, and ad expenses to receive the highest amount of SkyMiles. Strategically redeem miles on flights when Delta has “Deals,” and use the companion certificate once a year to balance out the card’s annual fee.
2. Citi® / AAdvantage BUSINESS™ Executive World Elite Mastercard®
This card is ideal for loyal American Airlines business travelers. It offers Admirals Club lounge privileges, free baggage check, and priority boarding, which make travel more convenient. The card also offers good mileage earning potential on airline spending and business trips, making it a valuable option for frequent American Airlines travelers.
Frequent Travelling
- Issuer – Citibank
- Payment Gateway – MasterCard
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 21.24% – 29.99% (V)
- Annual Fee – $595
- International Transaction Fee – 0%
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
- Balance Transfer APR – 0% for 9 months
- Sign-up Bonus – 70,000 AAdvantage miles after $7,000 spent in 3 months
- Best For – Frequent Travelers, Small Business Owners
The Citi® / AAdvantage BUSINESS™ Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a premium business travel credit card issued by Citibank in partnership with American Airlines. It is best for frequent flyers, offering 4x AAdvantage miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases. The card also provides Admirals Club membership, allowing access to over 50 airport lounges.
This card, which has an annual fee of $595, is designed for high-spending business travelers. It requires a good to excellent credit score (700+) and offers a 70,000-mile sign-up bonus after spending $7,000 in the first three months. The credit limit varies based on financials. Additional perks include priority boarding, free checked bags, no foreign transaction fees, and a dedicated travel concierge service.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Rewards | 4 miles per $1 on American Airlines purchases | 25% savings on in-flight purchases |
| Business Rewards | 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases | Elite status qualification boost |
| Admirals Club® Lounge Access | – | – |
| Free checked bag for 8 passengers | – | – |
| Priority boarding on AA flights | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Great for business travelers using AA
- Lounge access for primary + authorized users
- Boarding and baggage perks save time & money.
Cons
- Limited to American Airlines
- No transferable points.
Expert Advice
Maximize rewards with card use for American Airlines flights and routine business expenses. Membership in the Admirals Club by itself pays back a large part of the yearly fee. Match accumulated miles with promotions for lower-priced award tickets, and use the priority boarding benefit to pre-reserve overhead bin space for carry-ons.
3. The Business Platinum Card® from AMEX
Ideal for high-spending businesses, this card provides 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel. It also offers unparalleled lounge access, airline fee credits, and premium travel benefits, making it the ultimate choice for executives who fly frequently and prefer luxury travel experiences.
Luxury Business Travel
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – AMEX
- Credit Score – Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 19.24% – 27.24%
- Annual Fee – $695
- International Transaction Fee – 0%
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 80,000 points after $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
- Best For – Business Owners, Frequent Travelers
Ideal for high-spending business owners, this card offers enhanced travel rewards and expense management tools. Qualification requires an excellent credit score and business financials.
The $695 annual fee covers benefits like 5x points on travel, $200 airline fee credits, and employee card options. The no-preset spending limit and strong referral program enhance its value.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Business Travel | 5x points on flights and hotels via AMEX Travel | $200 airline fee credit |
| Access to Centurion & Priority Pass Lounges | 1.5x points on eligible business purchases | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit |
| 35% Pay with Points rebate on airfare | – | – |
| Expense Management | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Unmatched luxury travel perks
- Lounge access across airlines
- Statement credits for travel expenses.
Cons
- Some travel credits have restrictions
- No bonus categories outside of travel.
Expert Advice
Use this card to book hotels and flights on Amex Travel to maximize point rewards. Leverage its broad lounge access, including Centurion Lounges. If you’re a frequent traveler, the statement credits for travel benefits and airline fees will quickly pay for the high annual fee.
4. American Express Business Gold Card
This card works best for entrepreneurs who desire changing rewards based on expense categories. It gains 4X points on two of the month’s top spending categories: dining, gas, and advertising. Therefore, it is an excellent card for companies with active spending habits willing to maximize rewards.
Business Rewards
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – AMEX
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 21.24%–29.24%
- Annual Fee – $295
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 70,000 Membership Rewards points after $10,000 spent in 6 months
- Best For – Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs
The Amex Business Gold Card is a business travel card issued by American Express. It offers 4X points on airfare and hotel purchases and 2X points on other eligible business expenses. Its best feature is the complimentary access to the American Express Business Centurion Lounge, which provides a comfortable space for business travelers.
The card has an annual fee of $295 and a unique feature: a $100 annual airline fee credit. The credit limit varies, and a good credit score is required. There is also a referral program that rewards cardholders for referring friends and family.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Business Rewards | 4x points on top 2 business spending categories | Trip delay & baggage insurance |
| High Spending Power | 1x points on all other purchases | Employee card management tools |
| Airline bonus when booking via Amex Travel | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Flexible rewards for business spending
- No pre-set spending limit for growth
- Strong travel protection.
Cons
- No lounge access
- High spending required for best rewards
- Lacks luxury travel perks.
Expert Advice
This card works best for entrepreneurs who desire to change rewards based on expense categories. It gains 4X points on two of the month’s top spending categories: dining, gas, and advertising. Therefore, it is an excellent card for companies with active spending habits who are willing to maximize rewards.
5. American Express Corporate Platinum Card
The card, targeted at business travelers, offers upgraded travel benefits such as high-end hotel status, statement credits, and full lounge privileges. Companies that require regular executive business travel will appreciate its best-in-class travel protection and reward structure, making it perfect for corporate usage and global trips.
Luxury Travel
- Issuer – American Express
- Payment Gateway – AMEX
- Credit Score – Business Credit
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – Varies
- Annual Fee – $550
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – N/A
- Best For – Large Enterprises , Senior Executives
The American Express Corporate Platinum Card caters to senior executives and seasoned travelers. Issued by American Express, it provides premium business travel benefits, including access to airport lounges and travel rewards.
For an annual fee of $595, the card offers Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and exclusive business-stay experiences. The credit limit is high, and a good credit score is required. The card also includes a referral program and travel insurance.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury Travel | 5x points on flights & hotels via Amex Travel | TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit |
| Concierge service & elite hotel status | Complimentary Priority Pass & Centurion Lounge access | Statement credits for business & travel perks |
| Centurion Lounge & Priority Pass Access | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- High-end corporate travel perks
- Premium hotel & airline elite status
- Strong customer service & support.
Cons
- Requires corporate eligibility
- Not ideal for everyday spending.
Expert Advice
Make employees use the card for business trips and high-end corporate expenditures to earn points effectively. Make the most of the built expense management features to monitor expenditures. Also, use the maximum benefits of premium travel privileges like automatic hotel upgrades and airline fee credits to achieve the highest value.
Comparison Table
| Name of the Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | Citi® / AAdvantage BUSINESS™ Executive World Elite MasterCard® | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | American Express Business Gold Card | American Express Corporate Platinum Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Gateway | American Express | MasterCard | American Express | American Express | American Express |
| Best For | Delta business travelers | Admirals Club access & AA travelers | Luxury travel & premium benefits | Dynamic business spending | Corporate executives & high-end travel |
| Credit Score | Good – Excellent (700+) | Good – Excellent (700+) | Excellent (720+) | Good – Excellent (700+) | Corporate approval required |
| Annual Fee | $250 | $595 ($175 per additional user) | $695 | $295 ($375 after first year) | Varies (typically company-paid) |
| Annual Percentage Rate (Intro APR) | None | None | None | 0% for 12 months on purchases | None |
| Regular APR | 20.99% – 29.99% Variable | 21.24% – 29.99% Variable | 19.49% – 27.49% Variable | 19.49% – 27.49% Variable | Varies based on corporate terms |
| Balance Transfer Offer | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sign-in Bonus | 50,000+ SkyMiles after spending requirement | 70,000+ AAdvantage miles after spending requirement | 120,000+ Membership Rewards points after the spending requirement | 70,000+ Membership Rewards points after the spending requirement | Varies based on corporate agreement |
| Decision Criteria | Best for Delta perks and elite status boost | Best for American Airlines loyalists & lounge access | Best for premium business travel & lounge perks | Best for flexible rewards & business expenses | Best for corporate travelers with premium benefits |
Methodology
Our research focused on selecting the best metal business cards for airline rewards within the USA. We conducted a systematic evaluation considering rewards, travel advantages, and monetary worth.
Our assessment included key factors such as:
- Earning capacity (how well the card accumulates rewards)
- Redemption freedom (flexibility in using the rewards)
- Airline-specific features (perks tied to particular airlines)
Cards offering top-tier travel benefits were given priority, including:
- Lounge entry
- Priority boarding
- Free checked luggage
We analyzed the relationship between annual fees and benefits to ensure maximum value for users. High annual fees were not seen as a drawback, as frequent travelers could benefit from:
- Priority status
- Companion fares
- Airline fee reimbursements
The metal construction of the cards adds:
- Durability
- Professional prestige, making them appealing to business customers.
Our assessment factored in customer ratings and company reputation to select cards with:
- Excellent customer service
- Long-term value
The final selection included both:
- Airline co-branded cards (linked to specific airlines)
- General travel reward cards (for broader travel benefits)
The chosen cards are tailored to meet diverse business needs.
Choosing the Best Metal Cards for Business & Airline Benefits in the USA?
The choice process of identifying the most suitable metal business and airline perks cards in the USA followed these selection criteria:
- The benefits from airlines include access to lounges together with priority boarding while receiving free checked baggage.
- The business spending earns you either reward points, cashback, or airline miles.
- Users can either use their points to exchange them directly for airline tickets or simply transfer the points.
- Travel benefits determine how annual fees compare to the worth of total benefits received.
- Travel insurance and purchase protection are among the perks that accompany cardholder benefits along with companion ticket packages.
- A metal card boasts both exceptional style and durability throughout its prolonged use time.
Why Do You Need Metal Cards for Business & Airline Benefits in USA?
Travel Rewards produce higher bonus points and miles for your air travel expenses and business costs.
Premium travel advantages include airport lounge privileges together with priority transportation and cost-free checked baggage services.
The material stands out because it offers better durability and resistance against theft when compared to plastic.
Facilitates networking and high-end service access.
The business and travel expenses qualify for increased credit restrictions coupled with additional free spending opportunities.
How do metal cards for business help with airline benefits in the USA?
The travel experience with metal business cards delivers several benefits that enhance the trip and its rewards. Customers who use these cards receive first-class boarding, no-cost checked bags, and complimentary lounge access, which reduces expenses. The business cards also obtain clear statement credits that return airline payment fees, enhancing both travel value and affordability.
Some premium cards provide access to special clubs for airline and hotel elites, which creates more enjoyable business travel experiences. Companies that effectively use their miles for two purposes can extend their business travel spending and simultaneously obtain bonus rewards.
Advantages of Metal Cards for Business & Airline Benefits in the USA
- Priority Services: Cardholders receive advanced premium amenities, including access to lounges, priority boarding procedures, and baggage fee waivers.
- Premium Feel: Metal construction delivers durability and protects against fraud attempts because of its secure build.
- Two-Way Rewards: A metal card rewards users with elevated mileage potential from travel and business expenditures.
- Greater Business Credibility: Projects prestige and professionalism in business environments.
FAQs!
Do Metal business cards possess travel insurance features when compared to regular cards?
Certain metal business card options offer travel insurance, car rental insurance, and trip delay insurance.
Can I get a no-cost metal business card?
The addition of annual charges in high-end metal business cards proves worthwhile because their included travel benefits offer excellent value.
What specific qualification requirements do I need to meet to obtain a metal business credit card?
Users should start their application process by visiting the card issuer’s website and confirming their eligibility based on income and credit requirements.