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 |
|
|
| Statement credits |
|
|
| Delta benefits |
|
|
| Other benefits |
|
|
*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.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
TPG’s March 2025 valuations put Delta SkyMiles at around 1.2 cents apiece, making this welcome offer worth $1,200 toward travel.
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.
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.
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.
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.