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Rates & Fees; Terms Apply

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Status Shortcut: The $2,500 MQD Headstart automatically gets you halfway to Silver Medallion status just for holding the card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is not really a credit card; it is a paid membership for Delta VIP status. With a steep annual fee, it offers weak earning rates for spending (mostly 1X miles) but delivers massive perks: Delta Sky Club® access, a First Class Companion Certificate, and a fast track to Medallion® Status via MQD boosts. If you fly Delta exclusively and value status over points, this card is essential. If you are a free agent, it is an overpriced paperweight.

At a Glance

  • Welcome Offer:
  • Rewards Rate: 3X Miles on Delta purchases; 1.5X Miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply stores (only after spending $150k/year); 1X Mile on everything else
  • Annual Fee:
  • Lounge Access: Complimentary Delta Sky Club® access (limited to 15 visits/year starting Feb 1, 2025, unless spending $75k) + Centurion® Lounge access when flying Delta
  • Companion Certificate: One annual certificate valid for First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin (domestic, Caribbean, or Central America)
  • Status Boost: Receive $2,500 MQD Headstart annually + Earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent
  • Statement Credits: Up to **$240 Resy Credit** ($20/mo), up to **$120 Rideshare Credit** ($10/mo), and up to $200 Delta Stays Credit
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Overview

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is the top-tier offering for business owners loyal to Delta Air Lines. Following a major refresh in early 2024, the annual fee jumped to , but Amex added "lifestyle" credits (Resy, Rideshare) and significantly boosted the status-earning potential (MQDs). It is designed for the business owner who wants to be treated like a VIP at the airport.

Rewards & Benefits

  • MQD Boost (The Status Engine): This is why people hold the card.
    • Headstart: You get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) dropped into your account every February.
    • Spend Boost: You earn $1 MQD for every $10 you spend on the card. If you spend $100,000 on inventory or ads, that’s $10,000 MQDs, enough for Gold Medallion status when combined with the Headstart.
  • Lounge Access: You get complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club and the Amex Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or operated flight.
  • Companion Certificate: Received upon renewal (starting the second year). It covers the full fare (plus taxes/fees) for a companion in First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin to domestic, Caribbean, or Central American destinations.
  • Statement Credits:
    • Resy: Get up to $20 per month in statement credits at eligible Resy restaurants.
    • Rideshare: Get up to $10 per month in statement credits on Uber, Lyft, etc.
    • Delta Stays: Get up to $200 per year back on prepaid hotel/vacation rental bookings via Delta Stays.

Fees & Requirements

  • Annual Fee: .
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.
  • Credit Score: Requires credit.
  • Lounge Guest Access: Guests cost $50 per person (or you can use one of your 2 annual guest passes).

Borrower Experience

  • Takeoff 15: Cardholders get a 15% discount when booking award travel with miles on Delta flights. A 50,000-mile flight costs you only 42,500 miles.
  • Upgrade Priority: This is a tie-breaker benefit. If you are Gold Medallion and standing next to another Gold Medallion on the upgrade list, the one with the Reserve card gets the seat.

Who It’s Best For

  • The Status Chaser: If you are a Silver or Gold Medallion trying to reach Platinum or Diamond, the MQD boost from business spending is the easiest way to bridge the gap.
  • The Couple: If you fly with a partner once a year in First Class, the Companion Certificate alone is worth more than the fee.
  • The Hub Captive: If you live in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, or Salt Lake City (Delta hubs), having Sky Club access makes travel significantly more bearable.

Who Should Skip It

  • The Solo Economy Flyer: If you fly alone (can't use companion cert) and fly economy, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card () is better value.
  • The "Points Guy": If you want to earn valuable points for travel, get the Amex Business Gold. The Delta Reserve earns terrible rates on actual spending.
  • The Occasional Flyer: If you fly Delta less than 5 times a year, paying is overkill.

Compare

Bottom Line

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is a status-building tool, not a spending card. Its value proposition relies entirely on three things: the First Class Companion Certificate, Lounge Access, and MQD Boosts. If you use these perks, the card is a bargain even at . If you just want to earn miles on business expenses, look elsewhere; you are paying a premium for perks you aren't using.

Pros

  • Status Shortcut: The $2,500 MQD Headstart automatically gets you halfway to Silver Medallion status just for holding the card

  • First Class Companion Certificate: Unlike the Platinum card's certificate (Main Cabin only), the Reserve's certificate allows you to bring a companion in First Class

  • Upgrade Priority: Cardmembers get higher upgrade priority over non-cardmembers within the same Medallion tier and fare class

Cons

  • Lounge Caps: Effective Feb 1, 2025, you are limited to 15 Sky Club visits per year. To unlock unlimited visits, you must spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year

  • Credit Fragmentation: The statement credits ($20/month Resy, $10/month Rideshare) can be difficult to track month over month

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