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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business: Which card is right for you?
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
TPG's director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world's most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina's Mendoza region.
also contributed to this story
July 2, 2025 • 12 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Two premium airline cards—one personal, one business—offer comprehensive travel perks for frequent flyers.
Both provide lounge access (with visit limits), companion certificates, statement credits and priority boarding.
The business version features broader bonus categories and a slightly higher credit for select hotel bookings.
Choosing between them largely depends on eligibility for a business card and personal spending habits.
What to consider
Lounge access is capped at 15 visits per year, with additional visits available for a fee or through high annual spending.
Companion certificates require payment of taxes and fees, with limits on eligible destinations and fare classes.
Statement credits and select benefits require enrollment; terms and restrictions apply.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of benefits, earning structures and redemption options to help determine which card best fits your travel needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
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
Earn two domestic round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates (valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 50,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. A 21+ day advance purchase is required; up to $80 per person in taxes and fees apply. Other restrictions apply.
Earn 200,000 bonus miles after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Earning
Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases
Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else
Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases
Earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply stores
Earn 1 mile per dollar spent 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 worldwide and a free second checked bag on U.S. domestic Delta flights
Priority boarding
Earn 1 MQD 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 worldwide and a free second checked bag on U.S. domestic Delta flights
Priority boarding
Earn 1 MQD 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 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every four years
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 Amex cardmembers can earn two domestic round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates (valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 50,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. A 21+ day advance purchase is required; up to $80 per person in taxes and fees apply. Other restrictions apply.
TPG's August 2026 valuations put Delta SkyMiles at around 1.2 cents apiece, making this welcome offer worth up to $600, plus the value of the comfort flight certificates.
Meanwhile, new Delta Reserve Business Amex cardmembers can earn 200,000 bonus miles after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Based on TPG's valuations, this offer is worth $2,400.
Winner: Tie. The personal Delta Reserve requires half the spending and earns flight certificates, but the Delta Reserve Business earns a substantial cache of miles.
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 Delta Reserve and Delta 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. You can also earn unlimited Sky Club visits through the end of the following Medallion year (Jan. 31) if you spend $75,000 or more during a calendar year on one of the eligible credit cards.
Both cards provide up to $240 in statement credits per calendar year on eligible U.S. Resy purchases each calendar year (up to $20 monthly) and up to $120 in statement credits per calendar year 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 free checked bags (first checked bag is free for Delta flights worldwide and the second checked bag is free on U.S. domestic Delta flights) and priority boarding, benefits that up to eight companions on the same reservation can also receive (though the second checked bag on U.S. domestic flights is limited to additional passengers who also hold an eligible Delta card). Among the cards' more interesting Delta-specific benefits is the opportunity for non-Medallion members to get complimentary upgrades.
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. Upon renewal each card membership year, 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.
The two cards include a few other travel benefits in addition to Delta-specific perks. As with many premium travel cards, cardmembers can get a statement credit for either a Global Entry application ($120) or a TSA PreCheck application (up to $85) once every four years.
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.
A Delta A321neo at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). DELTA AIR LINES
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 earn 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.
DELTA AIR LINES
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, 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 Amex and the Delta Reserve Business Amex 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business Amex, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
