The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is Delta Air Lines’ most premium business credit card, and is best suited for business owners who fly Delta frequently and want airport lounge access, elite-status benefits and premium travel perks.
The card’s $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) is undeniably expensive. However, for frequent Delta flyers, benefits like Delta Sky Club access, an annual companion certificate, statement credits and Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) earning opportunities can help justify the cost. Enrollment is required for select benefits. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Delta Reserve Business Amex: The basics
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex is designed for frequent Delta travelers who want premium travel benefits and a faster path toward Delta Medallion status.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Annual fee: $650
- Best for: Business owners and frequent Delta flyers seeking lounge access, elite-status benefits and premium travel perks
- Rewards structure: Elevated earnings on Delta purchases and bonus miles on select business spending categories
- Key benefits: Delta Sky Club access, annual companion certificate, MQD earning through spending, statement credits and travel perks when flying Delta
- Rewards currency: Delta SkyMiles, best redeemed for Delta flights and partner award travel
In my opinion, the biggest reason to carry this card is its collection of premium travel benefits that can make frequent Delta travel significantly more comfortable.
Delta Reserve Business Amex pros and cons
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Delta Reserve Business Amex benefits
The Delta Reserve Business Amex offers a collection of impressive benefits.
Delta Sky Club access
Airport lounge access is the primary reason many travelers choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex.
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Cardmembers receive 15 annual visits to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta. Those who spend $75,000 or more on the card during a calendar year unlock unlimited Sky Club visits for the remainder of that year and the following Medallion year.
Cardmembers also receive four one-time guest passes each year.
TPG editor-in-chief Nick Ewen says lounge access is one of the main reasons he continues to carry the Delta Reserve family of cards.
“I love how this card helps elevate my travel — including a headstart toward Medallion qualification each year as well as 15 Sky Club visits each year,” he said. “Plus, with the four annual guest passes, I can bring my daughter in and avoid the extra fee.”
If you regularly travel through Delta hubs, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), lounge access can significantly improve your airport experience. I believe this benefit is where many cardholders will derive the majority of the card’s value.
Annual companion certificate
Each year after account renewal, cardmembers receive a companion certificate valid for a round-trip flight in first class, Delta Comfort+ or the Main Cabin.
The certificate can be used on eligible flights within the U.S. and to select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
For travelers who would otherwise purchase these tickets with cash, this benefit can easily offset a substantial portion of the card’s annual fee. For example, Nick recently used a Delta companion certificate to book first-class flights for himself and his daughter from Orlando to Salt Lake City, saving more than $1,200 compared to purchasing both tickets outright.
Like most companion certificates, flexibility is important, as availability can be limited on some routes and dates. In Nick’s experience, planning well in advance helped him find eligible first-class availability and maximize the certificate’s value.
A faster path to Delta Medallion status
For business owners pursuing Delta Medallion status, the Delta Reserve Business Amex offers some of the strongest status-earning benefits among Delta’s cobranded cards.
Cardmembers receive 2,500 MQDs automatically each Medallion qualification year through MQD Headstart.
In addition, cardmembers earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on eligible purchases.
Ewen recently upgraded to the card specifically because of its status-earning potential, saying, “The additional MQD boost plus more Sky Club visits ensure I have plenty of room to enjoy my regular flights with Delta.”
For businesses with significant annual expenses, these MQD benefits can make qualifying for Medallion status substantially easier.
Valuable perks when flying Delta
In addition to status-earning benefits and lounge access, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex includes several travel perks that can make every Delta trip smoother and more affordable.
Cardmembers receive:
- A free first checked bag on Delta-operated flights and a free second bag on U.S. domestic Delta-operated flights
- Zone 5 priority boarding, out of eight boarding zones
- A 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights booked through delta.com or the Fly Delta app for TakeOff 15 when paying taxes and fees with the card
- Complimentary upgrade eligibility for cardmembers without Medallion status (when available)
- Savings on eligible Delta inflight purchases
I particularly like the TakeOff 15 benefit because it creates ongoing value every time you redeem SkyMiles. If you’re regularly booking award flights, those discounts can add up quickly over the course of a year.
The complimentary upgrade benefit is worth noting as well. While upgrades are never guaranteed, it’s rare for non-elite cardmembers to receive access to an airline’s upgrade list simply by holding a credit card.
Delta Stays, dining and ride-hailing statement credits
The card also offers several statement credits that can help offset its annual fee.
Cardmembers can receive:
- Up to $250 per calendar year in statement credits on eligible Delta Stays bookings
- Up to $240 per calendar year in statement credits for eligible U.S. Resy purchases (up to $20 monthly)
- Up to $120 per calendar year in statement credits on eligible U.S. ride-hailing purchases (up to $10 monthly)
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
As with most card credits, I wouldn’t automatically value them at face value. However, if you’re already using Delta Stays, dining at U.S. Resy restaurants or taking ride-hailing trips throughout the year, these statement credits can help meaningfully reduce the card’s effective cost.
Additional travel benefits
The Delta Reserve Business Amex rounds out its premium benefits package with several additional travel perks.
Cardmembers receive:
- Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status
- A statement credit for Global Entry (up to $120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every four years)
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
- Travel and purchase protections
I wouldn’t apply for the card solely because of these benefits, but they add value around the margins and help reinforce the card’s premium positioning.
Travel protections can be especially useful when plans don’t go as expected, while Hertz President’s Circle status can provide a better rental experience for frequent travelers.
How to earn and use your rewards
Earning Delta SkyMiles
With the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex, you’ll earn:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases
- 1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply store purchases
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
While the card offers bonus earnings in a handful of categories, I don’t think the Delta Reserve Business Amex is particularly compelling for everyday spending unless you’re primarily focused on earning MQDs toward Medallion status.
Many business rewards cards offer stronger earning rates and more flexible rewards. For me, the value proposition with the Delta Reserve Business centers on the travel perks rather than maximizing mileage earnings.
Redeeming Delta SkyMiles
The best way to use Delta SkyMiles is generally for flights on Delta and its airline partners.
Because Delta uses dynamic award pricing, redemption rates can vary significantly depending on demand, route and travel dates. That means you won’t always find predictable award pricing, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get strong value from your miles.
I particularly like Delta’s SkyMiles Deals, which frequently feature discounted award flights both within the U.S. and internationally.
We’ve seen award sales offering domestic round-trip flights for as few as 13,000 to 20,000 miles and international deals that can save travelers tens of thousands of miles compared to standard pricing.
We’ve also seen excellent value on international awards. For example, TPG’s managing editor for points and loyalty programs, Lyndsey Matthews, recently booked Delta’s new nonstop flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Malta International Airport (MLA) for 47,800 SkyMiles plus $46 in taxes and fees, a ticket that was selling for roughly $969 in cash.
Closer to home, TPG managing editor Madison Blancaflor redeemed 40,500 SkyMiles (plus $12 in taxes and fees) for a round-trip ticket from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock that would have cost about $700.
Remember, one of the biggest advantages of carrying a Delta cobranded card is the TakeOff 15 benefit, which provides a 15% discount on eligible Delta-operated award flights booked through delta.com or the Fly Delta app.
That discount effectively stretches your SkyMiles balance further every time you redeem.
Flying beyond Delta
SkyMiles can also be redeemed for travel on Delta’s SkyTeam and partner airlines, including Air France, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic.
While Delta-operated flights are often the easiest redemption option, I find that partner awards can sometimes provide better value, especially for international premium-cabin travel.
Related: How to redeem your Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
Potential drawbacks of the Delta Reserve Business Amex
The biggest drawback is the card’s $650 annual fee.
Even with lounge access, statement credits and an annual companion certificate, that’s a significant amount to pay each year. If you’re not flying Delta regularly, it can be difficult to justify the cost.
The card’s earning structure is another weakness. Outside of Delta purchases and a few business-related spending categories, you’ll only earn 1 mile per dollar spent on purchases. Many business cards offer higher earning rates and more flexible point currencies.
Finally, unlimited Sky Club access requires $75,000 in annual spending. While 15 visits will be sufficient for many, frequent travelers may find that cap restrictive.
That said, I believe the card makes the most sense for travelers who are committed to Delta. If you’re splitting your flights among multiple airlines, many of the card’s best benefits become less valuable.
Delta Reserve Business Amex vs. Delta Platinum Business Amex
Business owners considering the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex should also take a look at the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
The Platinum Business version offers a lower annual fee of $350 (see rates and fees) while still providing an annual companion certificate, a 2,500 MQD Headstart each Medallion qualification year and the ability to earn additional MQDs through card spending.
It also includes valuable Delta travel perks, such as a free first checked bag, a free second checked bag on U.S. domestic Delta-operated flights, priority boarding and a 15% discount on eligible Delta-operated award flights through TakeOff 15.
However, the Reserve Business Amex is the better choice for travelers who value lounge access. The Platinum Business card does not include Delta Sky Club access, which is arguably the Reserve Business card’s most valuable benefit.
For frequent Delta travelers who regularly visit lounges and prioritize premium travel perks, I think the additional annual fee can be worthwhile. For everyone else, the Platinum Business version may offer a better balance of cost and benefits.
Is the Delta Reserve Business Amex worth it?
For the right traveler, absolutely.
I think the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex is easiest to justify for business owners who fly Delta frequently, use airport lounges regularly and are working toward Medallion status.
If you won’t take advantage of its benefits, however, it becomes much harder to offset the card’s substantial annual fee.
Related: How to get Delta Sky Club lounge access with credit cards, elite status and more
When to apply for the Delta Reserve Business Amex
New Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex cardmembers can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer is available until July 15.
Based on TPG’s June 2026 valuation of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, this welcome offer is worth approximately $1,500.
Before applying, it’s worth comparing the current offer with the card’s historical welcome bonuses. The current offer matches the highest bonus we’ve seen on the Delta Reserve Business Amex, making now a great time to apply.
Remember that American Express limits cardmembers to earning a welcome bonus once per lifetime for each card product.
Additionally, Amex may consider other Delta cobranded cards you’ve held in the past when determining your eligibility for a welcome offer.
Related: Current Delta American Express credit card welcome offers
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Delta Reserve Business Amex
If Delta Sky Club access and Medallion-status benefits are your primary goals, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex is likely your best option. However, another card may be a better fit depending on your priorities.
For additional options, check out our full lists of the best business credit cards and the best American Express cards.
Related: Which Delta credit card is right for you? Expert advice from frequent Delta flyers
Bottom line
The Delta Reserve Business Amex is a premium card with a premium price tag.
I wouldn’t recommend it to every business owner. However, for travelers who frequently fly Delta, visit Sky Clubs regularly and value a faster path to Medallion status, the card can deliver enough value to justify its $650 annual fee.
The lounge access, companion certificate and status-earning benefits are the biggest reasons to carry this card. If those perks align with how you travel, the Delta Reserve Business Amex is one of the strongest airline business cards available.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business, click here.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
