Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex: Which card is right for you?

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex: Which card is right for you?

It’s an exciting time to apply for an airline credit card. Not only are there more and better choices than ever, but applying for personal and business cards is easy and straightforward.

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 (subject to limitations), 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
Annual fee $650 (see rates and fees) $650 (see rates and fees)
Welcome offer Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. This limited-time offer expires on April 2. Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. This limited-time offer ends on April 2.
Earning
  • 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • 1 mile per dollar on  everything else
  • 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • 1.5 miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply stores
  • 1 mile per dollar on everything else
Statement credits
  • Up to $240 annual Resy statement credit per calendar year on eligible U.S. purchases (up to $20 per month)
  • Up to $120 annual ride-hailing statement credit on select U.S. providers each calendar year (up to $10 per month)
  • Up to $200 Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year
  • Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
  • Up to $240 annual Resy statement credit on eligible U.S. purchases per calendar year (up to $20 each month)
  • Up to $120 annual ride-hailing statement credit on select U.S. providers each calendar year (up to $10 per month)
  • Up to $250 Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year
  • Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
Delta benefits
  • Delta Sky Club access (subject to limitations)
  • Annual companion certificate
  • First free checked bag on Delta flights
  • Priority boarding
  • Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for every $10 spent in addition to 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification Year
  • Delta Sky Club access (subject to limitations)
  • Annual companion certificate
  • First free checked bag on Delta flights
  • Priority boarding
  • Earn 1 MQDs for every $10 spent in addition to 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the year
Other benefits
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: $120 every four years for Global Entry and up to $85 every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck
  • Amex Centurion Lounge access
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Trip delay coverage*
  • Trip cancellation/interruption coverage*
  • Cellphone protection*
  • Lost baggage coverage**
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance***
  • Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status****
  • Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit $120  every four years for Global Entry and up to $85 every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck)
  • Amex Centurion Lounge access
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Trip delay coverage*
  • Trip cancellation/interruption coverage*
  • Cellphone protection*
  • Lost baggage coverage**
  • Car rental loss and damage insurance***
  • Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status****
  • Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply

*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.

***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

****Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business welcome offer

New Delta Reserve cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. This limited-time offer ends on April 2.

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TPG’s March 2025 valuations put Delta SkyMiles at around 1.2 cents apiece, making this welcome offer worth $1,200 toward travel.

yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7American Express Delta Reserve and American Express Delta Reserve Business Update 2024
THE POINTS GUY

Meanwhile, new Delta Reserve Business cardmembers can earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. This limited-time offer ends on April 2.

According to TPG’s valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,320.

Winner: Delta Reserve. While the Delta Reserve Business offers 10,000 more miles with its welcome offer, it requires double the spending. You’ll get a greater return on your spending with the Delta Reserve’s welcome offer.

Related: Best Delta credit cards

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 are 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). After cardmembers have used their complimentary visits, they’ll be able to access a Sky Club for $50 per visit. After the guest passes have been used, you’ll need to pay $50 per guest per visit.

Both the Delta Reserve and Reserve Business offer statement credits and complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status.

Both cards provide up to $240 in statement credits on eligible U.S. Resy purchases each calendar year (up to $20 monthly) and up to $120 in statement credits on select U.S. ride-hailing providers every calendar year (up to $10 monthly).

The cards differ in their Delta Stays statement credit. The Delta Reserve receives up to $200 per calendar year, whereas the Delta Reserve Business receives up to $250 per calendar year for Delta Stays bookings.

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.

yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Man sits in DELTA COMFORT Seat DELTA AIR LINES
DELTA AIR LINES

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 Medallion Qualification 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 cardmembership year, upon renewal, cardmembers receive a companion certificate good for one round-trip itinerary to the 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, 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 round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 on round-trip 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 once every four years) or TSA PreCheck application (up to $85 once every 4½ years).

Both cards waive foreign transaction fees and include a variety of shopping protections and travel protections. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

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.

yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Delta A321neo at Boston Logan Airport
DELTA AIRLINES

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.

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 U.S. office supply stores. All other purchases will net 1 mile per dollar.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business. 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.

yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Delta Flight Attendant tends to customer on flight DELTA AIRLINES
DELTA AIRLINES

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 senior editorial director 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 enough 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


For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business Amex, click here.

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