Delta Business Traveler program: Discover how it operates and the benefits of enrolling

Delta Air Lines has established itself as a leader in business travel, having topped Business Travel News' annual airline survey for 13 consecutive years. Now, it seeks to expand its influence in this area with the introduction of the Delta Business Traveler program.

If you’re familiar with Delta's existing SkyMiles for Business program (previously known as SkyBonus), this new initiative does not replace it — rather, both programs are intended to work together. Here’s everything you should know about the Delta Business Traveler program: its target audience, the benefits it provides, and how it integrates with SkyMiles for Business.

What does the Delta Business Traveler program entail?

Delta defines Delta Business Traveler as a "complimentary offers program aimed at providing individual business travelers with exclusive deals from Delta and our partners." Essentially, it caters to business travelers who either lack a corporate travel agreement with Delta or do not meet the qualifications for SkyMiles for Business. It's tailored for small-business owners, employees of small to midsize companies, and corporate business travelers.

To enroll in Delta Business Traveler, simply become a Delta SkyMiles member and identify yourself as a business traveler. To register, visit this link. You will need to provide your SkyMiles number along with some details about your company and role, but no employer verification is necessary.

Advantages of the Delta Business Traveler program

Delta Business Traveler provides members with discounts, bonus miles, and various perks through a range of partners. These include:

• Six months of complimentary Hertz Five Star Status along with an expedited route to President's Circle Status
• 3 extra bonus miles for every dollar spent on Delta Stays and car rentals until the end of 2024
• A free one-month trial and discounted access ($99 per month) to Industrious' extensive network of over 200 premium workspaces via the Industrious x Delta Business Traveler Pass
• Exclusive deals on vacation packages from Delta Vacations

The benefits mentioned above are outlined on the Delta Business Traveler page. However, if you register for the program (which is free and took me just about 10 seconds), you'll unlock a range of new offers in your account. Mine include the following:

• A $250 job credit if I establish a new employer account with Indeed
• A "unique offering" of annual protection plans from Allianz Travel Insurance
• A discount on an annual Clear Plus membership if I sign up by December 31
• 20% off products from Someone Somewhere, including backpacks and totes
• 30% off a MasterClass membership

These offers may be targeted, so your selection may differ slightly.

As you can see, this program does not provide many rewards for flying Delta for business purposes. Instead, it offers discounts and benefits on various travel expenses. These perks could be particularly beneficial for business travelers looking to prolong their stay after meetings or conferences by booking a hotel or rental car at their own expense.

The program also offers advantages at work-related venues such as Industrious and Indeed, which can be advantageous for remote workers and small-business owners. For just $99 per month, you can access office space within Industrious' network of premium workplaces.

Delta Business Traveler vs. SkyMiles for Business

If you are familiar with Delta's other business initiative, SkyMiles for Business, it’s understandable if you feel a bit perplexed. Delta Business Traveler is a distinct program created to complement SkyMiles for Business by catering to a different group of business travelers.

While Delta Business Traveler is intended for anyone who travels for work, SkyMiles for Business is specifically designed for small and medium-sized enterprises. To enroll, you must be a business owner or administrator of a company. You will need to provide a valid tax identification number or VAT number, and you may need to present written proof of authorization from your company.

The basic membership tier of SkyMiles for Business is accessible to all companies, irrespective of their size or annual revenue. This tier offers customized deals from Delta and third parties, akin to Delta Business Traveler. However, it does not allow your business to earn SkyMiles, although individual employees can still accrue miles on Delta and partner flights as SkyMiles members.

To qualify for the higher tiers, your company must have a minimum of five unique employee travelers and spend at least $5,000 in eligible flight revenue each calendar year. If these conditions are met, your company will earn SkyMiles on eligible flights taken by employees, while employees will continue to accumulate miles on flights as they normally would.

As demonstrated, SkyMiles for Business is more advantageous for larger companies with at least five employees who travel and an annual flight expenditure of at least $5,000. In contrast, Delta Business Traveler is available to anyone who identifies as a business traveler, regardless of how frequently or infrequently they travel.

Bottom line

Delta has reiterated its dedication to the business travel market with its latest offering, Delta Business Traveler, available to anyone traveling for work. While the program's benefits may not be revolutionary, it's free and simple to join. If you travel for work at any point, it's beneficial to enroll in the program to discover what discounts and offers might be available to you.