Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business: Which card is right for you?
Editor's Note
It's an exciting time to apply for an airline credit card. Not only are there more and better choices than ever, but the ability to open personal and business credit cards is straightforward and easily accessible.
Two Delta cards that offer incredible value are the Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card and its business counterpart, the Delta SkyMiles? Reserve Business American Express Card. Both of these premium cards have comprehensive perks packages, including lounge access, solid earning rates and the ability to accrue Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward elite status with Delta.
Here's our guide on which card you should choose.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business comparison
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card | |
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Annual fee | $650 (see rates and fees) | $650 (see rates and fees) |
Welcome offer | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. | Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. |
Earning |
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Statement credits |
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Delta benefits |
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Other benefits |
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*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
***Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business welcome offer
The Delta Reserve is currently offering new applicants 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership.
TPG's September 2024 valuations put Delta SkyMiles at around 1.2 cents apiece, making this welcome offer worth $1,200 toward travel.
Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve Business is offering new applicants 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership.
According to TPG's valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,320.
Winner: Delta Reserve Business. However, the minimum spending requirement is double the personal card's offer, meaning that the welcome offer may be out of reach for many applicants.
Related reading: Choosing the best credit card for Delta flyers
Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business benefits
Because the cards are geared toward frequent and premium Delta flyers, you can expect both cards to offer members a comprehensive package of benefits when traveling with the airline.
The main benefit of the two cards is access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on same-day Delta-marketed or operated flights. Cardmembers of both the Reserve and Reserve Business get unlimited complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges. However, beginning Feb. 1, 2025, cardmembers will be limited to 15 day visits to Delta Sky Club lounges.
Cardmembers also receive four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta) and then $50 per person per visit, or 5,000 miles.
Both the Delta Reserve and Reserve Business offer statement credits and complimentary Hertz President's Circle status.
Both cards provide an up to $240 Resy statement credit on eligible U.S. purchases each calendar year (up to $20 monthly) and up to $120 ride-hailing statement credit on select U.S. providers every calendar year (up to $10 monthly).
The cards differ on their Delta Stays statement credit, with the Delta Reserve receiving up to $200 a year, whereas the Delta Reserve Business receives up to $250 a year.
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Both cards also include a free checked bag and priority boarding, benefits that up to eight companions on the same reservation can also receive. Among the cards' more interesting Delta-specific benefits is the opportunity for non-Medallion members to get complimentary upgrades.
Additionally, spending on the card will earn MQDs at a flat rate of 1 MQD per $10 spent, with no cap, and cardmembers receive 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the year. As a result, you can earn Medallion status via credit card spending without setting foot on a Delta plane:
- Silver Medallion: $50,000 in spending (5,000 MQDs)
- Gold Medallion: $100,000 in spending (10,000 MQDs)
- Platinum Medallion: $150,000 in spending (15,000 MQDs)
- Diamond Medallion: $280,000 in spending (28,000 MQDs)
Finally, the two cards offer one of the best airline credit card companion ticket benefits. Each year, upon renewal, cardmembers receive a companion certificate good for one round-trip itinerary to the 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Central America and the Caribbean in first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin.
You just have to pay taxes and fees on the second ticket, which is no more than $80 on roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 on roundtrip international flights. Both passengers are also eligible for Medallion upgrades, though only the primary passenger earns SkyMiles and credit toward elite status.
Aside from Delta-specific perks, the two cards also include a few other travel benefits. As with many premium travel cards, cardmembers can get a statement credit for either a Global Entry application ($120, starting Oct. 1, 2024, once every four years) or TSA PreCheck application (up to $85 once every 4? years).
Both cards waive foreign transaction fees and include a variety of shopping protections and travel protections.
Winner: Tie. With near-identical benefits, you can't go wrong with either card.
Earning miles on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
The Delta Reserve earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer other bonus categories. Still, if you're a frequent Delta flyer and spend a lot on the airline — including tickets, upgrades and seat assignments — you could be raking in the miles.
On the other hand, the Delta Reserve Business features a potentially even more lucrative earning formula. Like the personal version, it accrues 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
However, this card includes an extra bonus category. Cardmembers can receive 1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping purchases and office supply stores.
Winner: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex. It has an additional bonus category compared to the consumer Delta Reserve.
Redeeming miles on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
Both cards allow you to earn Delta miles through credit card spending, which are automatically deposited into your SkyMiles account. You can redeem SkyMiles for Delta flights and flights on SkyTeam carriers and partner airlines. You can also redeem your miles for seat upgrades on eligible reservations.
Note that Delta uses a dynamic award pricing system, so prices vary by day, route and class of service.
However, as an eligible Delta cobranded cardmember, you'll automatically receive a 15% discount on Delta-operated award tickets via the TakeOff 15 benefit. This applies to all Delta-operated flights booked with SkyMiles, though you must pay the taxes and fees on the ticket with your Delta credit card.
TPG director of content Nick Ewen is a huge fan of the Delta Reserve card, which he uses for domestic flights for himself and his family:
"I get a 15% discount on Delta-operated award itineraries as a Reserve cardmember. We frequently visit New York, and we try to go skiing outside of Salt Lake City once a year. There are easy nonstop flights to these spots from our home in Florida, so the miles can help offset the costs of those trips."
Winner: Tie. Both cards offer the same redemption options toward Delta flights and the discount benefit for being a cardmember.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business?
The deciding factor is whether you are eligible for a business card. If you are, the business version offers a slightly better earnings structure, marginally better Delta Stays credit and does not apply toward Chase's 5/24 rule. However, the personal version is still a great option if you don't want or aren't eligible for a business card.
Bottom line
The Delta Reserve American Express Card and the Delta Reserve Business American Express Card both carry high annual fees but offer a plethora of Delta-specific and general travel perks. There is a lot of overlap between their benefits, so your choice will come down to whether you want, need and/or are eligible for a business card.
Before applying, make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirements to earn the welcome offer and can use the perks to justify having the card.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business.
Apply here: Delta Reserve
Apply here: Delta Reserve Business
Related: Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business Amex, click here.