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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Updated: September 17, 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
- Companion Certificate each year
- High intro bonus
- Priority boarding and free checked bags
- Purchases count towards Medallion status
Cons
- Moderately high annual fee
Introductory Offers
- Earn 70,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $6,000 in the first six months with your new card.
Rewards
- Earn 1.5X miles on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, as well as on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after card renewal, with applicable taxes and fees.
- Save 15% on Award Travel when using miles on Delta flights booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app.
- Receive up to $10 back each month on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases.
- Board early with Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
- Get an annual statement credit of up to $200 for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Access the Complimentary Upgrade list for eligible ticket holders who are not Medallion Members.
- Benefit from a $120 Resy Credit, earning up to $10 per month on eligible Resy purchases.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- Annual fee of 20.24% - 29.24%. See Rates and Fees
- Terms Apply.
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
- Complimentary access to premium airport lounges
- High rewards on Delta purchases
- Companion certificate
- Priority boarding and free checked bags
Cons
- High annual fee
- No introductory APR offer
- Limited lounge access in 2025
Introductory Offers
- Earn 80,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $10,000 in the first six months.
Rewards
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year and earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and The Centurion Lounge with conditions.
- Receive an annual Companion Certificate for select flights, with applicable taxes and fees.
- Get up to $20 in monthly statement credits on eligible Resy purchases.
- Earn up to $10 back each month on U.S. rideshare purchases.
- Save 15% on Award Travel bookings with Delta.
- Enjoy priority boarding and a free checked bag on Delta flights.
- Receive up to $250 in annual statement credits for Delta Stays bookings.
- Travel without foreign transaction fees.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable See Rates and Fees
- Terms and limitations apply.
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.
Is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card better than the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card?
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.
Can you get the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card if you have the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card?
Yes, you can get both cards if you think that would be beneficial.
Can you transfer points from the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card?
There’s no need to transfer points between cards as all Delta SkyMiles will be deposited in one singular account.
Can you switch from the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card?
Yes. If your Platinum card no longer meets your needs, you can switch to Reserve.
What’s harder to get, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card?
Both cards require a good to excellent credit score.
How much do you have to spend for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to get the welcome bonus?
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
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- American Express. "Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card." Accessed September 17, 2024.
- American Express. "Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card." Accessed September 17, 2024.
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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.