Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card review: Free access to Sky Club

Overview of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card stands as Delta's premier cobranded business credit card, designed for high-spending businesses that are loyal to Delta. If securing Delta Medallion elite status and enjoying lounge access is a priority for you, this card offers plenty of appealing features. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card Rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card is Delta's leading business card, ideal for frequent travelers seeking luxurious benefits and a quicker route to achieving Medallion elite status through card expenditures.

That said, the card comes with a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), so ensure you can maximize its benefits to make the cost worthwhile.

For the best chance of approval for the Delta Reserve Business Amex, I suggest aiming for a credit score of 670 or higher.

Here’s what you should know to determine if this premium business card fits your needs.

Pros and cons of the Delta Reserve Business Amex

Welcome offer for the Delta Reserve Business Amex

Currently, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex is providing new cardholders with a welcome bonus of 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 within the first six months of membership.

This offer nearly matches the highest welcome bonus we've observed for this card. While it requires double the spending, you have twice the time to meet that threshold, and you’ll still receive the same mileage. This offer expires on Oct. 23.

According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are estimated at 1.2 cents per mile, making this welcome bonus worth approximately $1,320.

Keep in mind that Amex has a once-per-card-per-lifetime restriction regarding welcome bonuses. Therefore, if you've previously held the Delta Reserve Business card (even without earning a bonus), you won't qualify for this welcome offer.

American Express may evaluate additional factors, such as any other Delta cobranded cards you currently have or have previously held, when assessing your eligibility for the welcome offer.

Fortunately, Amex provides an on-site tool that alerts you if you are ineligible for a particular bonus before you complete your official application.

Benefits of the Delta Reserve Business Amex

The Delta Reserve Business Amex has many attractive perks, particularly for Delta flyers or those residing in a Delta hub or focus city.

Until January 31, 2025, you will enjoy unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta. Starting February 1, 2025, this access will be limited to 15 visits per year, or unlimited visits if you spend at least $75,000 annually.

Cardholders receive four one-time guest passes, with each additional guest visit costing $50. Guests can access Grab and Go Sky Club locations for $25 per person per visit.

You’ll also benefit from several new annual credits: up to $240 in statement credits each year (up to $20 per month) through Resy (for U.S. restaurants only); up to $120 in credits annually (up to $10 per month) for select U.S. ride-hailing services; and up to $250 each year in statement credits via Delta Stays, Delta's hotel booking portal.

Additional benefits include:

• Complimentary Hertz President's Circle membership
• 15% discount on award redemptions for Delta flights (when using this card for taxes and fees)
• 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) automatically credited each Medallion Qualification Year
• Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent
• An enhanced annual companion certificate for a first-class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip flight each year to domestic destinations, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America following card renewal
• $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every four and a half years

You’ll also enjoy Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights and a complimentary first checked bag, saving you up to $70 round-trip per person on Delta journeys.

Earning miles with the Delta Reserve Business Amex

With the Delta Reserve Business Amex, you can earn 3 miles for every eligible dollar spent on Delta purchases, whether made at delta.com, through phone reservations, or at ticket counters.

This also applies to Delta Vacation packages, seat upgrades, seat selection fees, Delta Sky Club memberships or passes, pre-purchased meals, inflight snacks, and alcoholic beverages, as well as audio headsets.

Frequent spenders will benefit from earning 1.5 miles per dollar on transit, U.S. shipping, and office supply store purchases, while all other transactions will yield 1 mile per dollar spent.

Redeeming miles with the Delta Reserve Business Amex

For those seeking deals when redeeming miles, visit the SkyMiles Deals page. Delta frequently offers substantial discounts on round-trip tickets in economy and Delta One for select city pairs.

Some noteworthy Delta offers we've encountered include 20,000 miles for a trip from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., and just 13,000 miles from Atlanta to New York City.

TPG photo editor Emilia Wronski has redeemed SkyMiles for various trips; her most recent redemption involved 22,000 SkyMiles for a round-trip flight from Atlanta to New Orleans. While points and miles enthusiasts often target long-haul international travel, domestic flights also provide an attractive option for using your SkyMiles.

What cards rival the Delta Reserve Business Amex?

If you’re seeking greater flexibility or a lower annual fee, there are alternative cards that might suit you better.

• If you prefer a Delta card with a lower annual fee (see rates and fees): The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card shares many perks with the Reserve Business Amex, such as an annual companion certificate and a quicker route to elite status, making it an excellent choice for frequent Delta travelers. For further details, check out our full review of the Delta Platinum Business Amex.
• If you desire a card with more flexible rewards: The The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provides outstanding travel benefits and allows you to transfer rewards to Delta as well as other American Express travel partners. It includes extensive lounge access and additional benefits but comes with a higher annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees). For more information, see our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
• If you aim to optimize your business expenses: The American Express® Business Gold Card features a high earning rate in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle (up to $150,000 per calendar year). This card also includes various benefits tailored to your business needs. For additional details, refer to our full review of the Amex Business Gold.

For more options, explore our comprehensive list of the best travel cards and best American Express cards.

Is the Delta Reserve Business Amex a good investment?

If you frequently fly Delta and value Sky Club access, the perks of this card justify its significant annual fee. However, if you fly Delta less often or prioritize broader bonus categories over Sky Club access, other cards may be more advantageous.

Conclusion

If you're looking to earn Delta miles and elite status while enjoying numerous premium Delta benefits, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex stands out. The Sky Club access feature is its main draw, making it an excellent choice for business owners who regularly travel with Delta, even with the upcoming changes in February 2025.