The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is the premium tier of the Delta business co-brand lineup, with Delta Sky Club access, an annual companion certificate for first class or Comfort+, and Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver eligibility at $25,000 annual card spend. The annual fee is $650.
What the product is structurally
The Delta Reserve Business Card is a revolving credit card co-branded with Delta Air Lines, issued by American Express. It earns Delta SkyMiles redeemable on Delta and partner airline itineraries. It is positioned above the Delta Platinum Business ($250 AF) as the highest-tier Delta business card.
Delta Sky Club access is included for the cardholder. The club access provides complimentary visits each year — 15 visits per year — unless the cardholder spends at least $75,000 on the card in the previous calendar year, which unlocks unlimited Sky Club access.
The companion certificate is issued annually for first class or Comfort+ on a domestic itinerary when the cardholder purchases an eligible paid fare, making two of the most valuable domestic cabin classes accessible for one ticket price.
How it works in practice
Earn rates:
- 3x on Delta purchases
- 1.5x on eligible transit purchases and U.S. hotel purchases direct
- 1x on all other eligible purchases
Card benefits include:
- Delta Sky Club access: 15 visits per year; unlimited with $75,000 annual card spend
- Annual companion certificate (First Class or Delta Comfort+ domestic round-trip, with paid fare purchase)
- First and second checked bags free for the primary cardholder and eligible travel companions on the same reservation
- Priority boarding
- 20% inflight savings on Delta purchases as a statement credit
- MQD waiver at $25,000 annual card spend
- $240 Delta Stays credit per year on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings
- Centurion Lounge access when flying same-day on Delta (variable by Amex policy)
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS application fee credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Employee cards available
Fees and pricing mechanics
The annual fee is $650. No foreign transaction fees apply.
Standalone Delta Sky Club day passes are $50 each. At 15 visits per year, access through this card represents $750 in equivalent Sky Club value against a $650 annual fee before any other benefits.
The companion certificate provides a second first class or Comfort+ seat at no flight cost (plus taxes/fees) on top of any paid eligible fare. Its value depends on the route and fare paid — a domestic first class companion seat can be worth $200–$800 depending on the itinerary.
The MQD waiver at $25,000 annual card spend credits all MQDs for the calendar year when the threshold is met, removing the MQD requirement for Medallion status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) built through flight segments and TDM.
Limits, eligibility, and availability
Eligibility requires a U.S. business entity and personal credit evaluation by American Express with personal guaranty.
Companion certificate terms: the certificate covers a round-trip domestic First Class or Comfort+ fare when paired with an eligible paid fare purchased by the primary cardholder. Basic economy fares and award tickets are not qualifying. Taxes and fees on the companion ticket are charged to the cardholder. Certificates are issued after the cardmember anniversary and expire the following year.
The $75,000 spend threshold for unlimited Delta Sky Club access resets each calendar year.
Tradeoffs, risks, or limitations
The $650 fee is one of the highest in the business co-brand category. Its value is concentrated in Delta-specific benefits: Sky Club access, companion certificate, MQD waiver. Businesses whose principal travelers do not fly Delta regularly will extract minimal benefit from the lounge and companion certificate.
The 3x earn rate on Delta purchases and 1x on other spending limits general business earning efficiency. The card is not designed as a day-to-day spend optimizer but as a Delta loyalty accelerator and travel experience upgrade.
Compared to the Amex Business Platinum ($695 AF), the Reserve Business is $45 cheaper but lacks Centurion Lounge access on non-Delta flights, the Membership Rewards point structure, and the off-travel credit portfolio. Cardholders flying predominantly Delta may find the Reserve Business more valuable than the Business Platinum.
See also: Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card Review, Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card Review
