Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business: Which card is the best fit for you?

Now is an exciting time to explore airline credit cards. There are not only more and better options than ever, but opening both personal and business credit cards is straightforward and accessible.

Two fantastic Delta cards that provide exceptional value are the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. Both premium cards come with extensive benefits, including lounge access, competitive earning rates, and the opportunity to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) towards elite status with Delta.

Check out our guide to decide which card to select.

Comparison of Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

Eligibility and benefits vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Eligibility and benefits differ by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is necessary.

Welcome offer comparison for Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

The Delta Reserve is currently providing new applicants with 100,000 bonus miles after they spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are valued at approximately 1.2 cents each, making this welcome offer worth $1,200 for travel purposes.

On the other hand, the Delta Reserve Business is giving new applicants 110,000 bonus miles after they spend $12,000 on purchases in the initial six months of card membership.

As per TPG's valuations, this welcome offer is valued at $1,320.

Winner: Delta Reserve Business. However, the minimum spending requirement is twice that of the personal card's offer, making the welcome bonus potentially unattainable for many applicants.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business benefits

As these cards are tailored for frequent and premium Delta travelers, you can anticipate a robust array of benefits when flying with the airline.

The primary advantage of both cards is access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on same-day Delta-marketed or operated flights. Both Reserve and Reserve Business cardmembers enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges. However, starting February 1, 2025, access will be limited to 15 visits per year to Delta Sky Club lounges.

Cardmembers are also entitled to four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), after which the fee is $50 per person per visit, or 5,000 miles.

Both the Delta Reserve and Reserve Business provide statement credits and complimentary Hertz President's Circle status.

Each card offers up to $240 in Resy statement credits on eligible U.S. purchases every calendar year (up to $20 per month) and up to $120 in ride-hailing statement credits with select U.S. providers annually (up to $10 per month).

The cards vary in their Delta Stays statement credit: Delta Reserve offers up to $200 annually, while Delta Reserve Business provides up to $250 each year.

Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits; terms apply.

Both cards also come with a free checked bag and priority boarding, which can extend to up to eight companions on the same reservation. Notably, one interesting Delta-specific benefit is that non-Medallion members can also receive complimentary upgrades.

In addition, cardholders earn MQDs at a consistent rate of 1 MQD for every $10 spent, with no limitations. Members also receive 2,500 MQDs at the start of the year to help qualify for status. This means you can achieve Medallion status through credit card purchases without ever flying on Delta:

• 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)

Moreover, both cards provide one of the top airline credit card companion ticket benefits. Each year upon renewal, cardmembers get a companion certificate valid for one round-trip itinerary within the 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), as well as Central America and the Caribbean, in first class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin.

You only need to pay taxes and fees on the second ticket, which is capped at $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and $250 for roundtrip international flights. Both travelers can receive Medallion upgrades, but only the primary passenger accrues SkyMiles and credit toward elite status.

In addition to Delta-specific benefits, these two cards also offer several other travel perks. Like many premium travel cards, cardholders can receive a statement credit for either a Global Entry application ($120, starting Oct. 1, 2024, once every four years) or a TSA PreCheck application (up to $85 once every 4½ years).

Both cards forgo foreign transaction fees and provide a range of shopping protections and travel protections.

Winner: Tie. With nearly identical benefits, you can't make a wrong choice with either card.

Comparing mile earnings between the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

The Delta Reserve earns 3 miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases. While it lacks additional bonus categories, if you're a frequent Delta flyer who spends significantly on tickets, upgrades, and seat assignments, you could be accumulating miles effectively.

Conversely, the Delta Reserve Business boasts a potentially more rewarding earning structure. Similar to the personal card, it earns 3 miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other transactions.

This card also features an additional bonus category, allowing cardmembers to earn 1.5 miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping expenses, and purchases at office supply stores.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex. It offers an extra bonus category compared to the personal Delta Reserve card.

Comparing the redemption of miles between the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

Both cards enable you to accumulate Delta miles through credit card purchases, which are automatically credited to your SkyMiles account. You can redeem SkyMiles for flights on Delta and other SkyTeam partners, as well as for seat upgrades on eligible bookings.

Keep in mind that Delta implements a dynamic pricing model for awards, meaning costs fluctuate based on the day, route, and service class.

As a qualified Delta cobranded cardmember, you will automatically benefit from a 15% discount on Delta-operated award tickets through the TakeOff 15 benefit. This discount applies to all Delta-operated flights booked with SkyMiles, though taxes and fees must be paid with your Delta credit card.

TPG's content director, Nick Ewen, is an avid supporter of the Delta Reserve card, which he frequently uses for domestic flights with his family:

"As a Reserve cardmember, I enjoy a 15% discount on award itineraries operated by Delta. Our family often travels to New York and we try to hit the slopes near Salt Lake City annually. With nonstop flights available from Florida, the miles we accumulate really help with travel expenses."

Winner: Tie. Both cards provide identical redemption options for Delta flights and the same cardmember discount benefits.

Should I choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card?

The key factor is your eligibility for a business card. If you qualify, the business version features a slightly enhanced earning structure, better Delta Stays credit, and it doesn't count against Chase's 5/24 rule. Conversely, the personal version remains an excellent choice if you prefer not to pursue or aren't eligible for a business card.

In summary

Both the Delta Reserve American Express Card and the Delta Reserve Business American Express Card come with substantial annual fees, but they provide a wide range of Delta-focused and general travel benefits. Since their perks are quite similar, your decision will depend on your desire, necessity, and eligibility for a business card.

Before submitting your application, ensure that you can meet the minimum spending requirements to qualify for the welcome offer and that you can effectively utilize the benefits to justify the card's cost.

For more information, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business.