Find Your Best
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
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Updated: March 19, 2024
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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card are among the best credit card options for frequent Delta flyers. Both American Express business credit cards let you take advantage of generous welcome bonuses, travel-related perks and elite Delta status boosts.
However, there are significant differences between the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card to consider before choosing which is best for you. For instance, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has a more expensive annual cost ($550) than the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card ($250) but offers spending categories with larger earnings.
Comparison Overview: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card At a Glance
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is ideal for frequent business travelers who enjoy Delta travel perks and want to pursue elite status through Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). Delta uses MQMs to determine Medallion Status, a rewards system that offers special perks like upgrades to first class and waived fees. Cardholders can earn 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 in their first year. Additionally, the Platinum Business Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and offers secondary rental car insurance.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
A great card for frequent business travelers who want to enjoy Delta travel perks and pursue elite traveler status
- 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
- 20.99%–29.99% VariableAPR
- $350Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- High rewards potential
- Generous welcome offer
- Offers savings on Delta flights
- With annual companion benefit
Cons
- Includes an annual fee
- Requires good to excellent credit
- High rewards are limited to Delta and hotels
- Welcome Offer: Earn 65,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Members save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With the $120 Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members. Ticket must be purchased on or after February 1, 2024 to be eligible to receive a complimentary upgrade.
- Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- See rates and fees
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card At a Glance
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is suitable for business owners with heavy travel schedules. It offers the same perks as the Platinum Business Card — priority boarding, discounts on in-flight purchases and a free checked bag — but carries added benefits, including annual round-trip companion passes and a quicker path to Delta’s Medallion status. However, the card comes with a steep $550 annual fee.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
A card that offers generous rewards for business travelers who fly Delta frequently.
- 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $650Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- High earnings on Delta purchases
- Generous welcome bonus
- Free Delta Sky Club access
- Bonus miles after meeting the spending threshold
Cons
- Comes with a hefty annual fee
- Potentially high APR
- Good to excellent credit needed
- Benefits are limited to Delta
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight. When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- See rates and fees
Comparison Summary
MoneyGeek’s Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card comparison can help you determine which one is best for you.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Annual Fee | The annual fee is probably the most significant difference between the two cards. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is $550 per year, whereas the Platinum Business Card is $250. High spenders who want additional travel benefits may choose the Reserve version, but the Platinum is generally more manageable for many travelers. Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card |
Welcome Offer | Both credit cards come with attractive welcome offers. Platinum Business card holders receive 100,000 bonus miles after spending at least $3,000 in purchases in the first three months. The Delta Reserve Business Card offers 110,000 miles after you spend $6,000 in the first three months of card membership. Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card |
Earning Structures | Both cards offer bonus miles redeemable toward Delta flights, seat upgrades, gift cards, merchandise and access to the Delta Sky Club. Platinum Business Cardholders earn 3X miles per dollar spent on Delta flights and hotels, 1.5X miles on purchases over $5,000 (up to 50,000 miles per calendar year) and 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. Meanwhile, the Reserve Business Card lets you earn 3X miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1X miles for all other purchases. After spending $150,000 in one year, this number increases to 1.5X miles per dollar. Winner: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card |
Foreign Transaction Fees | One way to save on your international travel is to use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Whereas many credit cards can charge upwards of 3% of the total foreign purchase amount, neither the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card nor the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card charges foreign transaction fees. Winner: Tie |
Which Card Should You Get?
Whether the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is better for you depends on several factors. Before choosing a credit card, it’s crucial to consider your spending habits and desired rewards and bonuses.
Who Should Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card?
Small business owners and professionals who often travel will find the American Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card more suitable. It’s a great choice if you want to save on international travel.
Frequent Delta flyers seeking a modest boost to get to Medallion Status can take advantage of this card’s lower threshold to earn additional MQMs.
Business travelers looking for hotel-specific benefits, such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, noon check-in and late checkout.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card?
Business and leisure travelers with heavy travel schedules will get the most value from the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. If you can afford the hefty annual fee to earn impressive discounts and travel benefits, the Reserve Business Card is for you.
International travelers who plan to spend over $150,000 each year are best served by the Reserve Business Card.
Business owners willing to spend more money for elite travel benefits, like complimentary access to the Amex Centurion Lounge and first-class annual companion tickets, are better off with this card.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
The Reserve Business card is targeted towards people who regularly fly with Delta, around once a month or more. The benefits and perks of the card are solid, but to justify the annual fee, cardholders should try to use these features regularly.
If you aren’t able to use the card’s features on a consistent basis, it may be best to downgrade to the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
We recognize you might still be undecided when choosing the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card. MoneyGeek has answered some commonly asked questions that may help you decide.
Each card has its benefits and drawbacks, and deciding which one is better depends on several factors. If your yearly purchases are within the range of $150k or higher, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card could be suitable for you. If you don’t intend to spend that much, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card could be a better fit.
Yes, you can get both cards if you think that would be beneficial.
There’s no need to transfer points between cards as all Delta SkyMiles will be deposited in one singular account.
Yes. If your Platinum card no longer meets your needs, you can switch to Reserve.
Both cards require a good to excellent credit score.
For the Platinum Business Card, you must spend $3,000 to earn 60,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) within the first three months of card membership. On the other hand, you need to spend $4,000 with the Reserve Business Card to earn 60,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) within the first three months.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
Both the American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Cards will suit frequent Delta flyers. If that’s not you, other business credit cards can still be effective for travel.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- American Express. "Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
- American Express. "Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card." Accessed January 5, 2022.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.