How do you know if the AMEX Delta Business Reserve credit card is right for you?

The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is an expensive, high-paying credit card that can increase your SkyMiles income if you are a regular Delta traveler. However, the hefty annual fee means you’ll have to consider whether the benefits of this card outweigh the costs.

However, the American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers a wide range of benefits that may justify its high price for the right cardholder. Conditions apply.

Looking for a big welcome bonus

The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers a decent welcome bonus: earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) after spending $ 3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 3 months. Conditions apply.

NerdWallet values ​​SkyMiles at 1.1 cents each, which means your card’s welcome bonus is worth $ 473.

Since the welcome bonus is one of the most valuable perks of this card, if you cannot enjoy it without incurring serious debt, this card is not for you. You may want to look at cards with lower spending requirements, such as the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card or the Green American Express card. The welcome bonuses on these cards are lower, as is the minimum spending requirement. Conditions apply.

You are a big Delta spender

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta flights and Delta vacations. All other expenses are worth 1 SkyMile per dollar spent. Conditions apply.

If you travel regularly with Delta on paid fares, the 3X bonus can help you rack up lots of miles.

You can use the companion certificate

One of the most important benefits of the American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is the accompanying certificate which is awarded on each card anniversary. Conditions apply.

When you book a ticket on Delta, you can exchange your companion certificate for a ticket of equivalent value for a traveling companion. The companion certificate is valid for travel in domestic economy class, in Delta Comfort + or in first class. All you have to pay is the taxes and fees.

Since your accompanying certificate can be exchanged for a first class ticket, this unique benefit could potentially be worth much more than the annual card fee.

You can use a status boost

Spending on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card will earn you Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) toward elite status.

Cardholders who spend $ 30,000 on the American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card will earn MQM 15,000. This can be repeated up to four times a year. This means that you could potentially earn up to 60,000 MQM by spending on your card each year, conditions apply.

Cardholders who spend at least $ 25,000 in a year also receive a Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver. Normally, Delta Platinum, Gold, and Silver Medallion status requires spending of $ 3,000 to $ 9,000 with Delta Air Lines. By charging $ 25,000 in expenses to the American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, these requirements are waived. Conditions apply.

You want travel benefits

The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card also comes with little perks that most repeat travelers would find very valuable. For example, cardholders receive free Sky Club access when flying with Delta, as well as two single-uses Sky Club passes they can use for guests. Conditions apply.

Specifically, the card now offers complimentary access to American Express Centurion lounges when traveling on a Delta fare booked with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card. Conditions apply.

Other travel benefits include waived first checked baggage fees, boarding in Main Cabin 1, and a $ 100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit every 4.5 years. Conditions apply.

The bottom line

When applying for a high-fee travel rewards card, it’s important to make sure that the benefits you accumulate are worth more than the costs of keeping the card open.

Since the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card does not have general categories of expenses or benefits other than purchases made through the airline, you must be a frequent traveler to Delta to justify the related expenses. when adding this card to your collection.

So if you love Delta but only fly a few times a year, this card is not for you. But if you’re the type of regular Delta flyer who knows your flight attendants and pilots by name, then this could be exactly the map to boost your SkyMile and MQM earnings.