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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is Delta's top-end business credit card. It's a stalwart choice for businesses that rely on Delta to get their employees where they need to go and value luxury benefits like Sky Club access.
However, this card's headline perks have been losing their luster — with more benefit devaluations on the way in 2025. While this card used to be a no-brainer for many, keeping it in your wallet now (or deciding whether to add it) requires a more careful evaluation.
Here's everything you need to know about the Business Delta Reserve to decide if it's right for your small business.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/16/25.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Enjoy travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150K per calendar year
- 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Page Contents
- Business Delta Reserve Pros
- Business Delta Reserve Cons
- Business Delta Reserve Welcome Bonus
- Business Delta Reserve Benefits
- Complimentary Sky Club access
- Four one-time Sky Club guest passes
- Complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network and Escape Lounges
- Help toward earning elite status
- Award flight discount
- Companion certificate
- Delta flight perks
- $250 Delta Stays credit
- $240 Resy Credit & Global Dining Access
- $120 Rideshare credit
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit
- Delta Reserve concierge
- Hertz President's Circle status
- No foreign transaction fees
- American Express Venue Collection concessions statement credits
- Expanded Buying Power
- Travel and purchase protections
- Business Delta Reserve Earning Rates
- Redeeming SkyMiles With the Business Delta Reserve
- Application Restrictions
- Cards That Compete With the Business Delta Reserve
- Bottom Line
Business Delta Reserve Pros
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Presently offers unlimited Sky Club access.
- The card features comprehensive insurance for trip delays, cancelations, lost baggage, and more.
Business Delta Reserve Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650 (Rates & Fees).
- Delta Sky Club access is now limited to 15 visits per Medallion® Year as of February 1, 2025. Significant spending is now required to earn unlimited visits.
- Card earns SkyMiles — which are prone to devaluations.
Business Delta Reserve Welcome Bonus
New small business applicants for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card can earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership (offer ends 7/16/25).
How much is this bonus worth? AwardWallet users typically redeem Delta Skymiles at 1.34¢ each. That makes this bonus worth over $1,400 toward award flights.
If one thing is for sure, the Business Delta Reserve has a varied offer history. If the current offer doesn't pique your interest, it may be worth waiting for a different one.
Business Delta Reserve Benefits
With a $650 annual fee (Rates & Fees), quality perks should follow. Frequent Delta fliers can take advantage of some quality perks for now, but ultra-frequent fliers will need to be wary of the card's declining headline benefits in 2024 and 2025. That said, the card has a surprising number of non-headline benefits.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Complimentary Sky Club access
Carrying the Business Delta Reserve grants complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs worldwide when flying on Delta. Each guest or immediate family member you bring with you will cost $50.
An individual Sky Club annual membership costs $695 (or 69,500 SkyMiles). So, if you frequently visit a Delta lounge, this card's unlimited lounge access is worth its annual fee.
However, as of February 1, 2025, this featured benefit of the Business Delta Reserve was devalued. Cardmembers will receive 15 visits to Delta Sky Club locations each Medallion® Year. Now, earning unlimited visits will require spending at least $75,000 on eligible purchases with your card each calendar year.
Once your complimentary visits have been used, eligible cardmembers can purchase single-entry passes at a rate of $50 per visit.
Four one-time Sky Club guest passes
Although guests normally cost $50 to bring into the Sky Club, cardmembers can utilize four one-time guest passes annually. This allows you to bring two people into the lounge who are traveling on your same itinerary — whether that's two guests on the same visit or separate trips.
Complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network and Escape Lounges
Business Delta Reserve cardholders also have access to American Express Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges when flying on a same-day Delta ticket.
Help toward earning elite status
Every year, cardholders receive a boost of 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward Delta Medallion elite status. This applies to all Reserve-level and Platinum-level Delta credit cards — meaning you could receive up to 10,000 bonus MQDs each year by holding all four of these cards.
You'll also earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card, further helping your progress to Delta's elite status tiers.
Award flight discount
Courtesy of the “TakeOff15” benefit, you'll pay 15% fewer miles when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta-operated flights.
Companion certificate
Each year you renew the Business Delta Reserve, you can take advantage of a companion certificate for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your card.
Government-imposed taxes and fees will apply — between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
Delta flight perks
Enjoy a first checked bag free, Zone 5 priority boarding, and complimentary upgrades (if you don't have Medallion Status). You'll also receive 20% back (as a statement credit) for inflight purchases of food, drinks, or headsets made with your card.
$250 Delta Stays credit
Get an annual statement credit of up to $250 when you use your Business Delta Reserve to book pre-paid hotel stays or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.
$240 Resy Credit & Global Dining Access
Get up to $20 per month in Resy statement credits (up to $240 annually) when you add your Business Delta Reserve to your Resy profile through the Resy app or website. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month (up to $120 annually) when you use your Business Delta Reserve to pay for rideshare purchases with select providers, such as Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit
Receive a statement credit for your application fee to TSA PreCheck (every 4.5 years) or Global Entry (every four years) if you pay with the Business Delta Reserve. You can receive either a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck. The benefit applies to whichever program you apply for first.
Delta Reserve concierge
Call the number on the back of your card and say “concierge” to take advantage of a 24/7 concierge who can help make dinner arrangements, purchase event tickets, and more.
Hertz President's Circle status
Get Hertz President's Circle status for free when you enroll and link your Hertz and SkyMiles accounts.
No foreign transaction fees
You'll avoid those pesky foreign transaction fees when swiping the Business Delta Reserve abroad (Rates & Fees).
American Express Venue Collection concessions statement credits
Get 10% back on food and beverage purchases (up to $250 in total statement credits per enrolled card per calendar year) at stadiums and arenas in the Amex Venue Collection. This offer is valid through December 31, 2026. Click here to enroll.
Expanded Buying Power
Amex's “Expanded Buying Power” benefit allows you to spend above your credit limit. The amount above the limit you can spend is flexible and depends on several factors, such as payment history, credit record, financial resources, and several unknown variables. Leveraging this benefit can help businesses make large purchases if necessary.
Travel and purchase protections
The feature and benefits page of the American Express website will showcase the policy particulars on each of the listed benefits, but you'll be covered in the following ways when making purchases with your Business Delta Reserve:
- Baggage insurance plan: Covers up to $1,250 per person for carry-on or $500 for checked baggage. This is in excess of coverage provided by the carrier.
- Trip delay insurance: Covers delays of more than six hours for up to $500 per covered trip, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Covers cancellations and interruptions to round-trip itineraries purchased with the card through the reimbursement of non-refundable travel expenses — up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per 12-month period.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: Coverage is secondary and provides coverage of up to $75,000 per rental if you pay with your card and decline the rental company's policy.
- Extended warranty: Adds another year of warranty coverage on an original U.S. manufacturer's warranty of five years or less, up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.
- Purchase protection: Covers purchases made with the card against theft or accidental damage for up to 90 days and $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Cell phone protection: Pay your monthly phone bill with your card to receive coverage for repairing damaged phones or replacing a stolen phone, up to $800 per claim. There's a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period, plus a $50 deductible per approved claim.
Business Delta Reserve Earning Rates
The Business Delta Reserve keeps it simple through three earning categories: one for Delta purchases, one for select business purchases, and one for everything else:
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150K per calendar year
- 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The Business Delta Reserve earns most handsomely on Delta purchases. Small businesses that use the card for flights, paid upgrades, in-flight purchases, and more will earn 3X Delta SkyMiles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with the airline.
For non-Delta purchases, small businesses will generally earn 1X Delta SkyMiles per $1 spent on other purchases. However, once you pass a $150,000 spending threshold in a calendar year, the catch-all spending category will increase to 1.5X SkyMiles per $1 spent. However, this elevated earning rate only runs until the end of the calendar year; in the following year, you'll be back to earning 1X on non-Delta purchases until you pass the $150,000 spending mark again.
Businesses that allocate substantial spending to general expense categories will find the Business Delta Reserve leaves a lot to be desired. A six-figure spending requirement just to see a marginal increase in the rate of return for non-Delta purchases is a big ask, and the reward for doing so is minimal.
Related: The Best Rewards Credit Cards for Each Spending Category
Redeeming SkyMiles With the Business Delta Reserve
Utilizing a credit card like the Business Delta Reserve for small business purchases means you'll soon have a fair sum of SkyMiles in your Delta account. Sure, you can redeem those miles for ancillary rewards such as seat upgrades, vacation packages, Delta gift cards, and more, but you also can put your SkyMiles towards award travel.
Booking award travel is an easy way to get maximum value from your SkyMiles. Even though Delta employs a dynamic pricing model for its award flights, there's still plenty of value in the SkyMiles program.
Let's take a look at some of the best value uses of Delta SkyMiles.
U.S. domestic flights for as low as 3,800 SkyMiles one-way
One of the best deals in all of domestic award travel, Delta prices short-hops from 4,500 SkyMiles. Subtract 15% courtesy of the “TakeOff15” benefit from your Business Delta Reserve, and you're cleared to book Delta-operated flights from 3,800 SkyMiles — such as this one from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Round-trip flights to Hawaii from 13,600 SkyMiles
There's a lot to love about Hawaii. But what if we told you that it's possible to use just 13,600 Delta SkyMiles for round-trip flights to the islands? You'll want to thank the 15% off benefit again. It makes an already-affordable mileage fare even better, like this one from Los Angeles to Honolulu.
Premium economy to Europe from 47,600 SkyMiles
Award fares to Europe consistently present compelling value, both on Delta and its partner airlines. In a happy medium between economy and business class, you can fly one-way from the U.S. East Coast to Europe in premium economy from just 47,600 SkyMiles on Delta.
Vietnam Airlines business class from Paris to Hanoi for 80,000 SkyMiles
It's hard to find outsized value in business class using SkyMiles — unless you start and end your journey outside of the United States. For example, you can fly Vietnam Airlines business class between Paris and Hanoi for 80,000 miles per way, which is an incredible deal for a near-12-hour flight!
Related: Do Delta SkyMiles Expire?
Application Restrictions
American Express employs several credit card application rules, including a once-per-card-per-lifetime restriction regarding welcome bonuses. Therefore, if you've ever had the Business Delta Reserve in the past — even if you didn't earn the bonus previously — you likely won't be eligible for another welcome bonus.
If you're unsure about your business's eligibility to receive a welcome offer on the Business Delta Reserve, American Express has taken the guesswork out of the application process.
Amex's eligibility tool helps applicants determine if they qualify for a new cardmember welcome offer. If your business is deemed ineligible for the welcome offer, a warning will pop up during the application process to let you know, and you'll have the option to continue or scrap the application with no harm to your credit, because this part happens before you submit the application and have a credit inquiry.
Lastly, you may read “business” and assume that you aren't eligible for this card. However, if you sell items online, get paid for pet sitting, or have expenses as a freelancer, you're running a business and may qualify for a business credit card. You don't need a warehouse full of goods to be eligible.
Cards That Compete With the Business Delta Reserve
If Delta's premium business credit card isn't right for your small business operation, consider these options:
- If you value lounge access and other premium travel benefits, look into The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. You'll have access to the Centurion Lounge network and can enjoy a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Additionally, the Membership Rewards points you earn via spending and the welcome bonus are transferable to 21 airline and hotel partners — including Delta SkyMiles. However, you won't enjoy any of the Delta-specific perks, so evaluate whether general travel benefits are more meaningful than a free checked bag. You'll also have access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta that day. See our full Business Platinum Card review to learn more.
- If you want a Delta co-branded business card with a lower annual fee, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. You'll still earn 3X SkyMiles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, but pay a comparatively smaller annual fee of $350 (Rates & Fees). For more details, check out our review of the Delta Business Platinum Amex.
- If you want a low-fee business credit card that isn't in the American Express ecosystem, look at the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. It earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel partners. Even though Delta isn't one of those partners, you can transfer points to some of Delta's partners and book award flights with Delta that way. You won't get any complimentary checked bags or lounge access, but you will earn 3X points on up to $150,000 of annual spending across several bonus categories. Even better, the Ink Preferred has just a $95 annual fee. Our full Ink Preferred review has more information.
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.
- Earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on each eligible purchase with U.S. shipping providers.
- 1.5X earning rates are subject to a cap of $2 million in purchases per calendar year.
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases with hotels
- 1.5x miles on eligible purchases over $5,000 (up to 50,000 bonus miles annually)
- 1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases*
- 1X miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Related: The Current Best Small-Business Credit Card Offers
Bottom Line
The Business Delta Reserve is Delta's premium business travel card. Sure, the card offers some top-tier perks for frequent Delta fliers and a bevy of non-travel-related benefits. However, poor earning rates on non-Delta spending and headline benefits with impending limitations make the card a hard sell for small businesses that value flexibility.
If you're a dedicated Delta flyer, this card can make sense for potential upgrades, an annual companion certificate, and lounge access. However, those who want points they can use in a variety of ways or lounge memberships with fewer restrictions would be better served by other business credit cards.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/16/25.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Enjoy travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150K per calendar year
- 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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