The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including lounge access and a companion certificate. While it has a high annual fee, the card can provide great value through its elite status boost, upgrade priority, and travel credits for loyal Delta customers.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
Welcome Bonus of Delta Reserve Business Amex
The Delta Reserve Business Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
When it comes to welcome offer eligibility, American Express has some important restrictions you should be aware of. Their “once per lifetime” rule means if you’ve ever held this specific Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card before, you likely won’t be eligible to receive the welcome bonus again. This applies even if you didn’t earn the bonus previously or if it’s been several years since you had the card.
To help take the guesswork out of the application process, American Express offers a helpful online tool. This tool can warn you before you submit your application if you’re not eligible for the welcome bonus. You’ll want to use this feature to avoid the disappointment of being approved for the card but missing out on the valuable welcome miles.
Earning SkyMiles with Delta Reserve Business Amex
With the Delta Reserve Business Amex you will earn:
This rewards structure is fairly limited, primarily rewarding Delta loyalists who spend heavily with the airline. The 1.5x earning rate on select business categories provides some additional value, but is capped at $150,000 in spending annually. For everyday non-Delta spending, the 1x earn rate is underwhelming compared to other premium travel cards.
Annual Fee of of Delta Reserve Business Amex
The Delta Reserve Business Amex has a large $650 annual fee (rates & fees). However, the card offers numerous benefits that can help offset this cost, including Delta Sky Club access, statement credits, an annual companion certificate, and the ability to earn elite status through spending.
Benefits of Delta Reserve Business Amex
Here are all the benefits of the Delta Reserve Business card: Delta Reserve Business cardholders and additional card members will enjoy complimentary Delta Sky Club memberships when flying on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. An individual Delta Sky Club membership typically costs $695 each year. This means having the Delta Reserve card at $650 with lounge access and other travel perks is a money-saving deal. Plus, you will also receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you’re traveling together. Delta Sky Clubs offer free Wi-Fi, light meals, snacks, and refreshments, and provide a quiet, comfortable place for relaxation before take-off. Future Changes: Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card. You’ll also have complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when you use your Delta Reserve Business Amex to book your Delta flight. You can invite up to two guests at $50 per person. As the primary cardholder, you’ll get a companion certificate every year for a round-trip flight in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, Premium Select, or first class upon renewing your Delta Reserve card. There are some things you need to be aware of for the Annual Companion Certificate: First Free Checked Bag: As a cardholder, your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, a benefit that extends to up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Given Delta’s standard checked bag fee of $35 each way, this perk can lead to substantial savings over time. Remember that the waiver applies to bags weighing 50 lbs or less and within Delta’s standard size limits—any overweight or oversized bags will still incur applicable fees. Priority Boarding: This Delta card grants you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation the privilege of boarding in Zone 5 ahead of most Main Cabin passengers. This benefit ensures ample overhead bin space for your carry-on bags and provides time to settle in before the flight. 15% Award Discount: One of the more unique perks of Delta credit cards is the TakeOff 15 benefit, which offers a 15% discount on award travel booked on Delta.com when signed into your account associated with your card. This discount applies to the SkyMiles required for an award ticket, not the dollar amount of government-imposed taxes and fees. While limited to Delta-operated flights (not partner airlines), this discount can help your miles go further, especially on more expensive routes or last-minute bookings. 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: When using your Delta American Express Card for eligible inflight purchases like food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights, you’ll receive a 20% savings as a statement credit. This discount applies to purchases made by primary cardholders and authorized users on domestic and international flights. However, it doesn’t cover inflight Wi-Fi. Upgrade Priority: If you have Delta Medallion status, you’ll receive upgrade priority over other Medallion members of the same elite status level and fare class grouping. Potential Complimentary Upgrades: If you don’t have Medallion elite status, you can still qualify for the complimentary upgrades, but you will be prioritized behind elite members. Pay with SkyMiles: Delta SkyMiles credit cards unlock the ability to ability to “Pay with Miles” allowing cardmembers to pay for flights with SkyMiles at a rate of 1.0 cents per mile (in increments of 5,000 miles per $50). $250 Annual Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $250 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Reserve Business Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays. $240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required. $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto. Enrollment Required. Hertz President’s Circle Status: The Delta Reserve Business Amex offers Hertz President’s Circle status upon enrollment. Hertz President’s Circle elite status, which offers benefits such the ability to choose your car at Hertz Ultimate Choice locations when you book an intermediate car or higher, complimentary upgrades, a 50% points bonus, and a free additional driver. No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose. Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: This card offers a credit for TSA PreCheck (expedited airport security) or Global Entry (expedited airport security and customs). Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.* Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.* Baggage Insurance Plan covers your baggage if it is lost, damaged, or stolen and you purchase your ticket with this card.* Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.* * Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences. Extended Warranty Protection: When you purchase items with your credit card, you’ll get an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items that have original manufacturer warranties of up to five years. This valuable perk means you can protect expensive electronics and appliances that come with longer manufacturer warranties without paying extra for store protection plans* Return Protection allows cardholders to receive a refund for purchased items within a certain timeframe for items that merchants may not accept for return.* 90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.* * Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Access to Delta SkyClub Lounges
Access to American Express Centurion Lounges
Amex Centurion Lounge Locations
Airport
Location
Atlanta (ATL)
Charlotte (CLT)
Dallas (DFW)
Denver (DEN)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
Newark (EWR)*
New York (JFK)
New York (LGA)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
Salt Lake City (SLC)*
San Francisco (SFO)
Seattle (SEA)
International Locations
Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
Delhi, India (DEL)
Hong Kong (HKG)
London, U.K. (LHR)
Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
Monterrey, Mexico (MTY)
Mumbai, India (BOM)
São Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
Stockholm, Sweden (ARN)
Sydney, Australia (SYD)
* Under Construction
Annual Companion Certificate at Renewal
Other Delta Air Lines Benefits
Special Credits
Travel Benefits
Purchase Benefits
Redeeming Miles
Delta SkyMiles offers a variety of ways to redeem your hard-earned miles for travel. One of the most straightforward options is booking Delta-operated flights, where award pricing is dynamic. This means flexibility in your travel dates can often lead to better value. Keep an eye out for SkyMiles deals, which can offer significant savings on specific routes. For international travel, Delta’s extensive partner network opens up a world of possibilities. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta allows you to redeem miles on 18 partner airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Korean Air. Additionally, non-alliance partners like WestJet provide more options, especially for travel to Canada. Partner awards often provide better value than Delta-operated flights, particularly for premium cabin travel. For example, business class flights from the U.S. to Mexico or within Asia can be excellent uses of SkyMiles. However, it’s important to note that partner award availability can be limited, so booking in advance is recommended. Another option is using miles for upgrades on Delta and select partner flights. While this typically provides lower value than booking award flights outright, it can be a good choice if you have a surplus of miles. Delta Vacations presents another redemption opportunity, often yielding at least 1.15 cents per mile in value. This can be particularly appealing for package deals including flights and luxury hotel stays. Remember, award prices can change without notice, so it’s always wise to book when you find a good deal. With some strategic planning, Delta SkyMiles can be a valuable currency for your travel needs.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick overview of this card’s advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
Airport Lounge Access: You get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, plus entry to Amex Centurion Lounges when you book Delta flights with the card. This provides a comfortable space to relax or work before flights.
Elite Status Fast Track: The card offers a Status Boost feature that helps you earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) faster through card spending. This can accelerate your path to valuable elite status tiers with Delta.
Annual Companion Certificate: Each year upon renewal, you receive a companion certificate valid for a domestic round-trip flight in first class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin. This perk alone can often offset the annual fee.
Travel Protections: The card provides comprehensive travel insurance benefits, including trip delay coverage, baggage insurance, and car rental loss/damage insurance. These protections give you peace of mind when traveling.
Cons
High Annual Fee: The $650 annual fee is steep compared to many other business credit cards. You’ll need to take full advantage of the card’s benefits to justify this cost.
Limited Earning Power: Apart from Delta purchases, the card’s earning rates are relatively low. You may be able to earn more rewards on everyday business spending with other cards.
Delta-Centric Benefits: Most of the card’s perks are tied to Delta, so it’s not ideal if you frequently fly with other airlines or want more flexible rewards.
Lounge Access Changes: Starting in 2025, unlimited Sky Club access will be restricted unless you meet a high spending threshold. This could diminish the card’s value for some users.
Alternatives to the Delta Reserve Business
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) delivers premium travel benefits including extensive lounge access (access is limited to eligible card members) and valuable hotel elite status. This premium business card excels at making travel more luxurious, though you’ll need to use multiple statement credits and travel perks to maximize its value. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earn Rewards: 5x points for flights, prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com; 2x points per dollar for purchases up to $2 million in spending per calendar year in these categories: purchases of $5,000 or more regardless of category, U.S. cloud service and software providers, U.S. construction materials and hardware suppliers, U.S. electronics retailers, and U.S. shipping providers; and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (review) is an entry-level option for earning Delta miles on business expenses. It includes useful travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, making it a good choice for less frequent Delta flyers. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 2x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases, at restaurants, US shipping (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x), US advertising in select media (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x); 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions, get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays, receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 on your card in a calendar year, 20% back on in-flight purchases, 15% award discount, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and baggage insurance plan.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) simplifies rewards earning with double miles on everything you buy. This straightforward business card lets you transfer miles to travel partners or redeem directly for travel purchases, making it a practical choice for business owners who want travel flexibility without complex bonus categories. Welcome Bonus: Earn a 50,000 miles bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months. Earn Rewards: 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars for bookings via Capital One’s travel booking site; 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, primary rental car insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
Is the Delta Reserve Business Worth It?
The Delta Reserve Business Amex can be an excellent choice if you frequently fly Delta and value premium travel perks. You’ll get complimentary Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta (with some limitations coming in 2025), an annual companion certificate, and the ability to earn elite status faster through card spending.
The card’s welcome bonus and annual credits for things like Resy dining and rideshares can help offset the steep $650 annual fee. However, you’ll want to carefully assess whether you can fully utilize the benefits to justify the cost.
For Delta frequent flyers who travel often for business, this card’s luxury perks and status-boosting potential make it a compelling option to consider.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
