Bottom Line

A regular Delta/SkyTeam flyer can gain significant value from the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, especially if they wait for an elevated sign-up bonus of 110,000 miles (instead of the current 80,000-mile offer). Even without the higher sign-up bonus, the $650 annual fee is relatively easy to offset with the annual companion certificate—usable for a First Class flight within the U.S., the Caribbean, or Central America—and the various statement credits, provided your business already uses the companies offering these credits. Access to Centurion, Escape, and Delta Sky Club lounges is also an excellent perk for anyone who flies Delta several times a year.

Why You Might Want This Card

If you are a loyal Delta/SkyTeam traveler, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card stands as the top-tier business option. It provides the most benefits and perks, has the highest sign-up bonus, and comes with the highest annual fee at $650. The current sign-up bonus of 80,000 miles (after $10,000 in purchases within the first six months) is strong, though we have seen elevated offers as high as 110,000 miles. Since American Express only offers each card’s sign-up bonus once per lifetime, you may want to hold out for a bigger offer.

If you plan to keep this card beyond the first year, carefully assess how many of its benefits you will use to justify the high annual fee. Each year, the card provides:

• Annual Companion Certificate: A free round-trip flight (within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America) for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin.
• $250 in Delta Stay Credits: Usable at select properties.
• $240 in Resy Credits: For dining reservations and experiences.
• $120 in Rideshare Credits: For eligible ride services.

When you purchase a Delta flight with your Reserve Business Card, you’ll also receive:

• Access to The Centurion and Escape Lounges.
• 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club, plus four one-time guest passes.
• An MQD boost to help reach status faster (though the spending required might be more effectively applied to other cards with sign-up bonuses).
• Hertz President’s Circle Status.
• Addition to the Complimentary Upgrade list.
• Zone 5 priority boarding.
• One free checked bag on Delta flights.
• A credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• 15% off on award travel.
• The best coverage among the three Delta business cards for trip delays, cancellations, baggage, and car rentals.

Exceptions To The Rule

You may want to look elsewhere if:

• You don’t fly Delta often enough each year to take advantage of the card’s many perks.
• The sign-up bonus isn’t elevated, and you don’t want to use your once-in-a-lifetime bonus on a lower offer.

About Delta SkyMiles

• Delta SkyMiles are super easy to accumulate with American Express cards, whether they're specific for earning SkyMiles or American Express cards that have completely transferable and instant 1:1 ratio Amex points.

Redeeming SkyMiles isn’t difficult, but you might find that their value isn't as high as you'd think -- especially if you do a side-by-side comparison with our personal favorite, United. Delta’s redeeming quality, however, is the fact that they fly to over 325 locations. So sometimes when you want to go somewhere that United doesn't, you’ll find Delta’s got your back.

When Delta removed its online reward charts in 2015, no one was happy. Now, the more flexible you are, the more value you can squeeze out of your Miles -- especially when Delta runs one of its regular award sales that offer some deep discounts in economy and Delta One.

But the real ace up the sleeve here is booking international Business or First Class using alliances like China Eastern or one of their non-alliance partners like Virgin Atlantic. This can be done for fewer points than if you booked directly through the Delta website -- as long as the flight is operated by Delta, Delta Connections or Virgin Atlantic. Searching around for Delta’s flash sales based on region or utilizing one of their partners can get you a pretty impressive trip.

Where Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Fits In This Point Ecosystem

There are three Delta business cards and four Delta personal cards. Below is a comparison of the three business cards:

1. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business (Highest Tier)
   • Annual Fee: $650
   • Sign-Up Bonus: Currently 80,000 miles
   • Key Perks: First Class companion certificate, premium lounge access, Hertz President’s Circle Status, and several statement credits (Delta Stay, Resy, and rideshare). Taking just one First Class round trip with the companion pass can cover much of the annual fee.
2. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business (Mid-Tier)
   • Annual Fee: $350
   • Sign-Up Bonus: 70,000 miles
   • Key Perks: Companion certificate for the Main Cabin, similar (but lower) statement credits compared to the Reserve.
3. Delta SkyMiles Gold Business (Entry-Level)
   • Annual Fee: $150
   • Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 miles
   • Key Perks: No companion certificate, but a $200 flight credit after $10,000 in annual spending. However, high spending thresholds may not be as valuable as simply opening another card for a new sign-up bonus.

If you fly Delta frequently and can use the benefits to offset the higher annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card can be extremely rewarding—especially when the sign-up bonus is elevated. Otherwise, consider the mid-tier or entry-level options based on your travel habits and budget.

Personal Experience