American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Review 2019

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card is best for loyal Delta Airline flyers who want premium Delta travel perks, such as complimentary airport lounges and 24/7 concierge services. It offers 2x miles on Delta-related purchases and 1x mile on all other purchases. You’ll pay an APR as low as 17.99%.

The best business travel credit cards offer up to 80,000 bonus points, 5x points, and no-interest introductory periods up to nine months. This American Express business credit card offers unbeatable additional features, such as a free checked bag, complimentary Delta Sky Club access, and a 24/7 concierge. However, its ongoing rewards fall short of some of the best travel cards that offer 5x points. We rate this card 4 stars out of 5 stars.

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How We Evaluated the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers two miles for every dollar spent on Delta-related purchases. It has an annual fee of $450; however, it comes with a number of additional travel perks including 24/7 concierge services and complimentary airport lounge access. These free additional benefits make the $450 annual fee worth it for business owners who frequently travel with Delta.

Based on what owners might need and want in a card, we considered the following criteria:

• Ongoing rewards: The Delta rewards you’ll earn by using the your card. This credit card offers 2x miles on purchases made with Delta and 1x mile on all other purchases.
• Introductory rewards: The introductory bonus points you’ll earn by reaching the minimum spending requirement over the first few months of card ownership. This card offers 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $3,000 within three months.
• Annual fee: How much it costs to own the card every year. This American Express business credit card carries an annual fee of $450.
• Additional benefits: Whether the card comes with additional features that may increase its value. You’ll receive features like return protection, roadside assistance, and extended warranty protection.
• Intro APR: Whether the card offers an interest-free introductory period on purchases or balance transfers. This American Express business credit card doesn’t offer a 0% APR introductory period.
• Ongoing APR: How much it will cost to finance purchases on the card. This card charges an ongoing APR between 17.99% and 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.

While this card lacks a 0% APR introductory period and doesn’t have a low annual fee, its additional travel perks are unbeatable compared to other small business credit cards. These travel perks are also better than what’s offered on the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card and American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card.

How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards

When grading a travel rewards business credit card like the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card, we weighed ongoing rewards, introductory rewards, and additional card features the heaviest. We also take into account the card’s annual fee and APRs. This Delta business credit card falls short in our evaluation because it doesn’t offer a 0% APR introductory period.

We graded this American Express business credit card using the following methodology:

Grading Criteria	Card Score	Highest Possible Score
Ongoing Rewards	20	25
Introductory Rewards	23	25
Additional Features	25	25
Annual Fee	15	15
Introductory APR	0	5
Ongoing APR	3	5
Total Score	86	100

Based on our 5-star rating system, where 20 points equal 1 star, the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card would need better ongoing rewards or a no-interest introductory period to earn 4.5 stars. In cases where cards receive perfect scores in most categories, we may award bonus points to boost the card’s rating.

Despite the robust additional features, our grade of 4 stars is appropriate because this card doesn’t offer a 0% APR period and could offer better ongoing rewards. American Express offers two other Delta business credit cards that carry lower annual fees, which include the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card ($195) and American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card ($95).

Who the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Is Right For

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card is best for business owners who primarily fly with Delta Airlines and want to tap into premium American Express travel perks. It’s especially good for business owners who usually check a bag and use Delta Sky Clubs airport lounges. Both your first checked bag and access to Delta Sky Clubs are complimentary when using your card.

American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Costs

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card has an ongoing APR between 17.99% and 26.99%, which is identical to the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card. Additionally, it carries an annual fee of $450 and doesn’t offer a 0% APR introductory period.

Financing costs and fees on this American Express business credit card include:

• Introductory APR: None
• Ongoing APR: 17.99% to 26.99%%, which changes with the prime rate
• Annual fee: $450
• Balance transfer fee: Transfers are not allowed
• Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
• Cash advance fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater (cash advance APR is 27.49%)
• Late payment fee: Up to $38
• Returned payment fee: $38
• Penalty APR: 29.99%; will be applied for a minimum of 12 consecutive billing cycles and will continue until after you have made timely payments for 12 months in a row

Some of the best business credit cards for startups carry annual fees much lower than the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM has an annual fee of $95 and the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business also carries an annual fee of $95, but it’s waived for the first year.

How to Avoid Paying Interest on the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card

To avoid interest with the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card, cardholders are required to pay their credit card bills at least 25 days after the end of the billing period. Some business credit cards may have a shorter potential due date. The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM, for example, requires payment at least 20 days after the close of the billing cycle.

American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Rewards

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers points rewards for Delta-related purchases. Cardholders can earn two miles for every purchase made directly with Delta and one mile for all other purchases. Plus, you can earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) if you spend $3,000 within the first three months.

The rewards offered on this card are:

Introductory Rewards

You will earn the following introductory rewards when using your card:

• 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months
• 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months

This card’s introductory rewards outrank both of the other American Express Delta business credit cards. For instance, the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card offers 35,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $1,000 within three months.

Ongoing Rewards

You will earn the following ongoing rewards when using your card:

• 2x miles: Earn two miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
• 1x mile: Earn one mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases
• Annual miles boost: Earn 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 each year, and an additional 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 bonus miles after spending $60,000 each year
• Companion certificate: Receive a companion certificate valid for one round-trip First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin Companion ticket each year upon renewal of your card

The rewards offered on the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card are similar to what’s offered on other American Express business credit cards and competitors. The Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business, for example, offers 2x miles on every purchase and your rewards will never expire.

Rewards Restrictions

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card won’t give cash back for the following purchases:

• Fees related to your card
• Balance transfers and cash advances
• Traveler checks or gift cards
• Person-to-person payments
• Prepaid cards
• Cash equivalents

This American Express business credit card offers rewards miles that do not expire, and there are no limits to how many miles you can earn. As a cardholder, you can use your miles toward flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, merchandise, and gift cards. Reward restrictions here are common across business credit cards.

How You Can Redeem Your Rewards

Business owners can redeem their miles by booking travel for Delta-operated and ticketed flights through the Delta SkyMiles online portal. You must redeem at least 5,000 miles at a time and in increments of 5,000 miles. For every 5,000 miles, your points will be worth $50. If you don’t have enough points to cover the entire price of a flight, you can opt to pay the remaining balance with your American Express business credit card.

Other small business credit cards may allow you to redeem your points for more options. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM allows you to redeem your points for travel, cash back, or gift cards. If you choose to redeem them for cash back or gift cards, Chase’s redemption value is one cent per point. However when you redeem your points for travel through the Chase rewards website, their redemption value is 1.25 cents per point.

American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Features

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers unbeatable additional card features and travel perks that increase its value. These perks are typically free of charge and include roadside assistance, purchase and return protection, extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance, baggage insurance, car rental coverages, account management tools, and access to airport lounges.

The features this American Express business credit card offers are:

Premium Roadside Assistance

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers premium roadside assistance up to four times per year. American Express provides services at no additional cost, which includes towing up to 10 miles, winching, jump starts, flat tire assistance, lockout services, and limited gas delivery.

What’s Covered With the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Roadside Assistance Hotline

The following services are available at no additional cost for up to four time per year:

• Towing up to 10 miles
• Winching
• Jump starts
• Flat tire change
• Lockout services
• Gas delivery of up to two gallons

American Express premium roadside assistance is unique compared to competitors. Another American Express business credit card offering something identical is the American Express Business Platinum Card®. However, some competitors don’t offer roadside assistance services, including the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business credit card.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Roadside Assistance Hotline Excludes

The following vehicles and services are not covered by roadside assistance:

• Rental vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Taxicabs
• Unlicensed vehicles
• Tractors and trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more

From our comparison to Capital One, it’s apparent that roadside assistance isn’t necessarily common on small business credit cards. However, for cards offering these services, like the American Express Business Platinum Card®, exclusions here are common.

Purchase Protection

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers purchase protection for items stolen or damaged within 120 days from the purchase date. New York residents, however, only have a coverage window of 90 days. Purchase protection covers up to $10,000 per incident and up to $50,000 each year.

What’s Covered With the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Purchase Protection

This card covers purchased items if the incident happened no more than 120 days from the date of purchase (90 days for New York residents). More so, the item must have been paid for entirely on your American Express business credit card. In comparison, the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business covers purchased items from theft or damage within the first 90 days of your purchase.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Purchase Protection Excludes

Purchase protection does not cover the following types of purchases:

• Perishable or consumable items with an extended or limited life span
• Stolen or damaged items of a pair
• Travelers checks
• Tickets of any kind
• Negotiable instruments (gift cards or certificates)
• Living plants or animals
• One-of-a-kind items
• Antique or previously owned items
• Motorized vehicles and their parts or accessories
• Cash or its equivalent
• Items rented, leased, or borrowed
• Permanent household fixtures
• Business fixtures
• Items for inventory

This coverage outranks the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card. The American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card offers the same window of coverage, but only $1,000 per item and $50,000 per year. Exclusions here are similar across most business credit cards that offer this coverage.

Extended Warranty Protection

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers extended warranties as long as the original warranty length is five years or less. American Express will match warranties that are less than two years long. Plus, they will provide two years of extra warranty protection for warranties between two and five years long.

What’s Covered With the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Extended Warranty Protection

This card offers coverage on purchases with warranties of five years or less. This warranty protection plan is identical across American Express business credit cards. Other competitors offer coverage that falls short of this. For example, the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business only covers purchases with warranties of three years or less.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Extended Warranty Protection Excludes

The following purchases are not covered by extended warranty protection:

• Item with unconditional satisfaction guarantees
• Purchases with physical damage or damage as a result of natural disaster
• Living plants or animals
• Perishable or consumable items
• Motorized devices and vehicles
• Business fixtures
• Land or buildings
• More than one item in a pair
• Additional service contract
• Extended warranty coverage for a computer
• Inventory-related items

American Express caps the extended warranty protection at $10,000 per item and $50,000 per year, which is identical to the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business. Plus, exclusions here are common across most small business credit cards.

Travel Accident Insurance

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers travel accident insurance up to $500,000. The travel accident insurance only covers incidents within a 100-day window. Plus, this coverage is far superior when compared to its competitors and most American Express business credit cards.

What’s Covered With the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Travel Accident Insurance

This card offers coverage if a travel fare was purchased entirely on your card and if you die or lose a limb, sight, speech, or hearing. This is the highest coverage you can get through American Express. For example, the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card only offers coverage up to $100,000.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Travel Accident Insurance Excludes

The following aren’t covered by American Express travel accident insurance:

• Losses resulting from war or acts of war
• Self-inflicted injury
• Injuries as a result of driving, riding as a passenger in, or entering or leaving a vehicle
• Injury as a result of commuting
• Stroke or cerebrovascular accident, or cardiovascular accident
• Myocardial infarction or heart attack
• Coronary thrombosis, aneurysm, or deep vein thrombosis.
• Sickness, physical or mental weakness, or pregnancy

This credit card offers travel accident insurance that is much better than the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM. The Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM only offers a 24-hour emergency hotline. Exclusions here are similar among small business credit cards that offer such coverages.

Baggage Insurance Plan

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers a baggage insurance plan that covers lost carry-on bags, checked bags, and high-risk items. Cardholders will have coverage between $250 and $1,250. Other small business credit cards offer more substantial coverage compared to this American Express business credit card.

What’s Covered With the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Baggage Insurance Plan

The following items are included in the baggage insurance plan:

• Up to $1,250 for baggage lost in direct transit
• Up to $1,250 for lost carry-on baggage
• Up to $500 for lost checked baggage
• Up to $250 for lost high-risk items (e.g., furs and electronic equipment)

This card’s baggage insurance plan doesn’t match what’s offered on the Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business card. The Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business card provides coverage up to $3,000 ($2,000 for New York residents) for lost checked and carry-on baggage.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Baggage Insurance Plan Excludes

The following items are excluded from the baggage insurance plan:

• Cash or cash equivalents
• Credit cards and other travel documents
• Securities
• Tickets
• Perishable and consumable items
• Living plants and animals
• Glasses or contact lenses
• Hearing aids, artificial teeth, and artificial limbs
• Prescription and non-prescription drugs
• Property shipped as freight

To qualify for this insurance, your entire trip fare must be paid with this card. If you’re looking for higher coverage, a good card option would be the American Express Business Platinum Card®. It offers coverage up to $3,000. However, exclusions here are common.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers car rental loss and damage insurance up to $75,000 per rental agreement for the first 30 consecutive days of a car rental. This coverage is some of the highest offered among American Express small business credit cards.

What’s Covered With the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

The lesser of the following is covered:

• The actual cost to repair the rental vehicle
• The wholesale book value of the rental vehicle, minus salvage and depreciation costs
• The purchase invoice price of the rental vehicle, minus salvage and depreciation costs

In comparison, the coverage the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card offers falls short. The American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card offers the same window of coverage, but only up to $50,000. The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card, on the other hand, offers coverage up to $75,000.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Excludes

The following losses are not covered:

• Intentional damage
• Damage that occurred before the car rental
• Manufacturing defects
• Confiscation by the law
• Normal wear and tear
• Damage as a result of freezing
• Mechanical or electrical breakdown
• Theft or damage to rentals that are unlocked
• Theft of or damage to tires
• Damage of any other vehicle or property

In order to qualify for rental coverage, you must pay for the entire car rental with your card. For small business cards that offer this additional benefit, these exclusions are generally common.

Global Assist Hotline

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers a 24-hour global assistance hotline for when you travel farther than 100 miles from home. The global assistance hotline connects cardholders to medical, legal, financial, or other emergency and assistance services. Cardholders are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Services American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Provides

You’ll receive the following travel and emergency assistance:

• Translation and interpretation services
• Lost item assistance
• Missing luggage help
• Passport assistance
• Credit card cancellation
• Relays messages to family or friends

You’ll receive the following medical and legal assistance:

• List of doctors and dentists close by
• Transfer prescriptions from your home pharmacy
• Medical care monitoring during a trip
• Medical transportation help
• Find bail bonds that accept your credit card
• Referrals for embassies and English-speaking lawyers

Compared to competitors, American Express is known for its more robust services when it comes to a global assistance hotline. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM doesn’t offer medical transportation or translation and interpretation services.

Account Management Tools

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers some of the most robust and beneficial account management tools compared to other competitors. Account holders will have access to a mobile devices app where they can manage their accounts on the fly. Plus, employees can also upload receipts for expense reporting purposes. American Express also allows account holders to manage their accounts straight from their computers.

This American Express business credit card’s account management tools are:

• Online account manager: Allows business owners to manage their accounts, pay their bills, and track employee card transactions. They can also set spending restrictions and flag any unusual transactions.
• Mobile device apps: Allows account holders to manage their American Express accounts on the go from their phones. Plus, employees can use the mobile device app to upload photos of their receipts to streamline expense reporting.
• QuickBooks connection: Business owners can easily connect their American Express accounts to their QuickBooks Online accounts to have their transaction data transferred automatically.

This American Express business credit card also allows business owners to set customizable account alerts, receive year-end summaries, view their online statements, prepare reports, and budget their business expenses. These additional tools outrank other small business credit card providers. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred^SM credit card doesn’t offer many tools beyond its mobile and computer applications.

Delta Sky Club Access

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card offers complimentary Delta Sky Club access to cardholders and a reduced rate ($29 per person) for up to two guests. To access the airport lounge, you must have a same-day boarding pass for a Delta Airlines flight and a boarding pass in your name.

In comparison, other American Express Delta business credit cards don’t offer this complimentary service. Both the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card and American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card charge cardholders the reduced rate of $29 per person, including the cardholder.

Adding American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Employee Cards

Once you’re approved for the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card, you can issue up to 99 employee cards for no additional fee. When compared to other American Express business credit cards, this matches what’s offered on both the American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card and American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card. Employee cards are typically free, even if the primary card carries an annual fee.

What the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Is Missing

The American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card isn’t a good card option if you need to carry a balance because its ongoing APR starts at 17.99%. If you think you’ll need to carry a balance, consider a 0% APR business credit card. Plus, there are other American Express business credit cards that offer higher ongoing rewards for travel-related purchases, such as the American Express Business Platinum Card®.

American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Reviews

After reading through reviews online, we found that most user reviews for the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card were positive. Online user reviews suggest card owners especially like the valuable Delta rewards and the additional features. However, downsides are that the APR is relatively high and there is no 0% APR period. If you’re looking for a low-interest credit card, consider a 0% APR business credit card.

How to Apply for the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card

You can apply for the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card online. You’ll be required to provide your basic business and personal information, and you will usually receive a decision immediately. Once approved, you will receive your card within seven to 10 days. If you’re not approved instantly, you can check your application status on the American Express website.

How to Log In to Your American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card Account

You can log in to your American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card account online by providing your user ID and password. If you run into any difficulties, you can contact customer service through the American Express website or call 800-492-3344.

Other American Express Business Credit Cards

American Express has a number of small business credit cards to choose from, depending on your spending needs. You may want to consider one of these cards if you want to earn rewards on purchases not related to Delta Airlines. Other American Express business credit cards offer substantial introductory bonuses, 0% APR periods, and payment flexibility.

The other American Express business credit cards are:

• American Express Business Platinum Card®: An excellent card for business owners who travel frequently and want access to additional features that can be worth thousands of dollars every year.
• American Express® Business Gold Card: A great card option for business owners who want to earn rewards in the specific spending categories where they spend the most money every month.
• The Plum Card^® from American Express: An excellent charge card that gives business owners the ability to choose between pay early discounts and free financing terms. This card is due in full monthly because it’s a charge card.
• American Express Blue Business^SM Plus Credit Card: Best for businesses that want to earn rewards on their everyday business-related purchases and need an extended 0% APR period.
• American Express SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card: An excellent card for business owners looking to earn cash back on select categories of their choice. Business owners will also have a no-interest introductory period on purchases.
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Credit Card: An excellent card option for business owners who primarily stay at Hilton hotels and resorts. You can earn Hilton Honors points on Hilton-related purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business^TM American Express® Card: Best for business owners who frequently stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Cardholders can earn Marriott rewards points for their Marriott-related purchases.
• American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card: Best for business owners who are loyal Delta Airline flyers. Cardholders have the opportunity to earn an introductory offer and the ability to earn Delta miles for their Delta-related purchases.
• American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card: Another excellent credit card for business owners who primarily fly with Delta Airline. Cardholders will earn an introductory offer and ongoing rewards for their Delta-related purchases.
• Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: An excellent card for business owners who already have an Amazon Prime membership. Cardholders can earn rewards or free financing on purchases at Amazon-owned businesses.
• Amazon Business American Express Card: A good card option for business owners without an Amazon Prime membership. Cardholders can earn rewards or free financing on purchases at Amazon-owned businesses.
• American Express Business Green Rewards Card: Best for business owners who travel often, but typically have low annual spend amounts. It offers a small introductory bonus and ongoing rewards.
• American Express Lowe’s Business Credit Card: An excellent card for business owners who shop often at Lowe’s stores. You can earn rewards for Lowe’s-related purchases and in-store discounts.

Alternatives to the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card

If you don’t travel with Delta enough to offset the high annual fee, there may be better cards for you compared to the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card. You may want to consider an alternative to earn more substantial introductory rewards or fixed-rate travel rewards.

3 Alternatives to the American Express Delta Reserve® for Business Credit Card

Chase Ink Business PreferredSM	American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card	Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
Best for introductory rewards	Best for Delta-related purchases	Best for fixed-rate travel points