Delta Reserve for Business from American Express Review

Who is the Delta Reserve for Business from American Express Good For?

There is only one type of traveler who can benefit from this rather expensive credit card — a status chaser. But if you need to run business expenses and you do seek elite status with Delta, you won’t just benefit, you will benefit greatly!

In order to qualify for the Delta Medallion status, it is not enough to fly a certain amount of miles (MQM) anymore. You must also spend a certain amount of money (MQD).

This is what Delta status will normally cost you.

• Silver: 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs and $3,000 MQDs
• Gold: 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs and $6,000 MQDs
• Platinum: 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs and $9,000 MQDs
• Diamond: 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs and $15,000 MQDs

Delta Reserve’s approach to this dilemma is twofold. It boosts your account with the 10,000 MQM welcome bonus miles, and at the same time waives the MQD requirement if you spend a certain amount of money on the card.

You will also get free access to the Sky Club and in addition to getting status miles, you can use your 10,000 miles to book travel with Delta. Unfortunately, the earning scheme for this card is quite mediocre, but the strength of Delta Reserve lies in getting you closer to elite status.

Welcome Bonus:

10,000 MQMs and 10,000 bonus miles after your first purchase.

Miles Earned:

• 2 miles per dollar for booking on Delta
• 1 mile per dollar for everything else

What Do Your Miles Get You?

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance. It has non-alliance partner airlines as well, so you can use SkyMiles to book flights on 20 airlines.

Delta Reserve is an excellent card to get you very close to Gold Medallion after just one year of use.

Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $30,000 on purchases on your Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card in a calendar year. Earn an additional 15,000 MQMs and an additional 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Delta Reserve Card in a calendar year.

In other words, if you can spend $60,000 on the card annually, you will get:

• 40,000 MQMs
• 60,000 bonus miles (and more if you buy flights on Delta)

So if you make the spend, you are already guaranteed Silver status. If you fly at least 10,000 miles a year on Delta, you’ll get Gold. And if you fly at least 35,000 miles, you’ll get Platinum.

One of the best features of the Medallion status with Delta is rollover. If, for example, you earn 60,000 miles during the year, which is 10,000 more than you need for Gold but 15,000 less than the Platinum threshold, your 10,000 miles will roll over for the next year.

As to the MQD requirement, it won’t be an issue if you spend $25,000 annually.

Usage Perks:

• 10,000-MQM welcome bonus
• Mile Boost that gets you closer to Elite status
• Delta Sky Club access
• One free checked bag for the cardholder and other passengers
• 20% in-flight savings
• Priority Boarding
• Free companion certificate upon anniversary
• One-way flights are allowed at 50% of a roundtrip
• No fuel surcharges for Delta flights not originating in Europe and on many partners
• Open jaw is allowed
• Discounted domestic short-haul awards
• Excellent international business class product

Usage Quirks:

• Very high annual fee
• Sky Club access is for the cardholder only (guests pay a fee)
• Mediocre mile-earning scheme
• Fuel surcharge for flights originating in Europe and on some SkyMiles partners
• No stopovers
• No published award chart
• High change and cancellation fees

How Far Do Your Miles Go?

Delta SkyMiles offered discounted 20,000-mile round-trip domestic economy rates on some short hops, although it has been criticized for stingy availability on many popular routes.

However, what Delta really shines at is international availability in both coach and business, especially between New York and the Middle East, Europe and Asia, and LA and Australia. While it might not be easy to get an international award ticket from a smaller hub, as well as hubs where Delta is the only one or one of a very few options, you can always get to a major airport on a reduced fare or an award ticket with another frequent flyer program.

Delta redemptions are particularly competitive for flights to Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East.

Additional Cardholder Benefits:

• Premium Roadside Assistance, including towing
• Extended Warranty
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• Zero liability
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Delta Reserve Concierge
• Companion Airfare
• Global Assist Hotline
• Return Protection
• Purchase Protection
• Baggage Insurance
• Trip Cancellation Coverage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
• OPEN benefits