Finding the right business travel credit card to keep in your wallet can really improve your overall experience. When you have access to a good credit card, it becomes possible to earn rewards for your normal travel expenses. To add to this, you will be able to enjoy various perks that make being a cardholder worthwhile. If you have been waiting to find the right card to use for your business, then you might want to take a deeper look at the available options.
Many people choose to go with an airline-based rewards credit card due to the perks that it will offer. If you are willing to be loyal to one brand, then this can be a really good idea that will serve you well while traveling. One popular rewards credit card that people have been talking about is the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express. This credit card is a great option for businesses that need to travel quite often.
If you are already a loyal Delta customer, then using this card for your business may be a really great fit. Even so, it is smart to take the time to examine things deeper before making a commitment. Today we are going to take a look at everything the Delta Reserve for Business credit card from American Express has to offer. You can look at the rewards program, the key benefits, and all of the other pertinent details. Once you know more about what to expect, it will be significantly easier to decide if it is right for your business.
Delta Reserve for Business  |
|---|
| INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn 80,000 miles after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months. Also earn 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles toward status. |
| REWARDS You’ll earn 2X miles on Delta purchases. |
| BENEFITS Priority Boarding. One free checked bag. Delta Sky Club access (plus up to 2 guests at $29 each). Annual companion certificate (good on domestic flights up to first class). Concierge Service. Earn 15,000 reward miles and 15,000 MQM's after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. |
| FEES $450 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply. |
| TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS If you're after Delta MQM's this card can help. The fee seems too high for what it offers though. Other premium travel cards are superior. |
| [earnist_link ref="delta-reserve-for-business-apply" id="12453"]LEARN MORE >>[/earnist_link] |
Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card Fees
One thing to know right off of the bat is that this is a credit card with a rather high annual fee. The annual fee of $450 is going to scare away some businesses that do not know whether they will get their money’s worth out of this credit card. Truthfully, so long as you are going to be using this credit card often, you are going to come out ahead. The reason for the high price of the annual fee also has a lot to do with the perks that it offers. The features and benefits of this credit card will be discussed in more detail a little later on.
One good thing about this credit card is that you will not be forced to pay any foreign transaction fees. Whenever you are traveling abroad, it is a real nuisance to be faced with fees just for using your card outside of the country. You can use this credit card to its full potential while traveling abroad and will never have to worry about being blindsided by fees. This is great for any businesses that have dealings in foreign countries.
Most of the other fees are fairly standard for a business travel credit card. The balance transfer fee is set at 3% with a $5 minimum fee. The cash advance fee is also set at 3% with a $5 minimum fee. These are fees that you will be unlikely to encounter due to the card not really being set up as a balance transfer card. Most businesses will never have a need to take a cash advance from this card either but it is still important to be aware of the associated fees.
Both late payments and returned payments will cost you up to $38 on this credit card. This is a very normal late and returned payment fee that will not make you bat an eye. You can see that the only really high fee that you will need to contend with is the annual fee. All of the other fees are well within normal ranges, making this a pretty practical credit card for many businesses.
Features and Benefits of the Delta Reserve for Business
You will want to be aware of the welcome bonus that this credit card has to offer. The bonus that the card offers is likely to change over time but this card almost always has a bonus that will reward you with quite a few miles. To qualify for the welcome bonus, you will need to spend a certain amount of money during your first three months as a cardholder. Once you meet the qualifications, you will have bonus miles that you can use to help pay for some of your travel expenses. It helps to alleviate a little bit of that high annual fee.
One very useful perk that you will take advantage of all the time is getting one free checked bag. You will receive one free checked bag on any eligible flight when you use this credit card. If you have multiple cards issued for your other employees, then the perk will allow them to get free checked bags as well when they fly with the main cardholder. This can go a long way toward paying for the annual fee as you could save yourself around $50 per person on a round trip.
Another extremely valuable perk is that you will receive an annual companion certificate. What this does is allow you to redeem the certificate to allow a companion to fly for free. This can give you a free round-trip flight to use on valid domestic flights in many different seat categories. It is possible to redeem this ticket for a first-class seat in many cases so the value of this perk is actually substantial if you use it right.
Cardholders are also going to gain complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club lounges. Normally, it would cost you $59 to enjoy going into a Delta Sky Club lounge. If you are going to be traveling regularly enough on business, then this will be a fantastic perk. It makes your traveling that much more comfortable while also saving you a lot of money. You can also bring up to two guests with you and will only have to pay $29 per person to allow them to enter.
It is also possible to receive 20% back in statement credit when you pay for things with your credit card while on your flight. Being able to save extra money on things such as in-flight drinks is a good little perk that many people will use. It mitigates quite a bit of your costs and makes it more practical to enjoy yourself during business flights. If you fly frequently enough, then you will surely be making use of this perk quite often.
Another handy perk is that cardholders will be able to take advantage of Zone 1 priority boarding. This means that you will get to board your flight faster than normal so that you can get comfortable and find a good spot for your bags. This feature will also work for up to nine additional cardholders when they are traveling with the main cardholder. Perks such as this can truly make flying a lot more comfortable.
You will also have the privilege of being able to access an around-the-clock concierge service. A good concierge service can make your travels much better. They can help you to book reservations at restaurants or to find tickets to a concert in town. You will be able to get the concierge to help you with many particulars, making it a valuable perk that will pay dividends throughout the years.
Delta Skymiles Rewards Program Info
Of course, the rewards program is going to be a significant factor when considering whether this card is worth your time. You can actually earn some pretty good rewards when you use this credit card properly. You can earn two miles for every $1 that you spend on purchases directly from Delta. This means purchases such as airfare, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases. Those who travel with Delta all the time will likely earn a large number of miles every single year.
The normal rate for rewards outside of Delta purchases is not very impressive. You can earn 1X miles per $1 spent on all of your other eligible purchases. This makes it fairly impractical to use the card for purchases outside of the Delta family. You will not be using this card to buy groceries while expecting to be rewarded handsomely. It is a pure travel credit card that has pretty good rewards if you fly with Delta on a regular basis.
One extremely positive thing about this rewards program is that Delta SkyMiles do not expire. Some miles from other business credit cards may expire if you do not meet certain criteria. This may involve using the card every so often or redeeming the miles after a certain period of time. You do not need to worry about this when using the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express. It is more practical to use your card when you do not need to worry about expiring miles.
Redeeming your rewards is pretty straightforward with this credit card too. Your miles can be used to pay for airfare and seat upgrades with Delta. If you fly with Delta a lot, then you can make use of these miles to alleviate some of your expenses. It will come in handy and the value of the Delta SkyMiles is generally pretty favorable. The value can vary a bit depending on certain factors but you should be able to enjoy a very easy and lucrative redemption experience.
The Pros
- Advantages for loyal Delta customers
- Great benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earned miles with good value
This credit card is going to be a perfect fit for any loyal Delta customers. If you already fly with Delta Airlines a lot, then you should definitely think about signing up for this credit card. You will be able to make the most of the benefits while also earning bonus miles. It can help to lessen some of your travel expenses over time while improving your travel experience.
The benefits of this credit card are truly great overall too. Being able to enjoy things such as a 24/7 concierge service, priority boarding, and the Delta Sky Club lounge access will improve your travel experience. You’ll have a great time while traveling for business and it is going to make the annual fee completely worthwhile. You just have to be able to make the most of the perks.
You won’t have to pay any foreign transaction fees when using this card. This is excellent news for businesses that have to travel abroad often. No one wants to pay fees any more than he or she has to. You can use this credit card outside of the country very easily so there is no reason to worry.
Your earned miles on this credit card generally have a good redemption value too. You will be able to redeem your miles to pay for Delta flights. The value of the miles can differ depending on the flight and other various circumstances. Even so, you can expect the miles to help you save a lot on your travel costs.
The Cons
- High annual fee
- Rewards program that is not as robust as some would like
The main factor that will deter some people from signing up for this credit card is the high annual fee. Any time that you see a card with an annual fee of $450, you have to take a step back to examine the details. This annual fee happens to be worth it if you are going to use the card often. It just depends on how much you travel and how often you will make use of the amazing perks of this card.
It can also be said that the rewards program is a little underwhelming. The Delta Reserve for Business has the potential to be lucrative for those who fly with Delta Airlines all the time. The problem is that you do not earn many miles for things outside of direct purchases from Delta. It may be more practical for certain businesses to find another rewards card as the utilities of this card are a bit limited.
Credit Score Needed for Approval
In order to be approved for this credit card, you will need to have a very high credit score. This is going to necessitate excellent credit overall. If your credit score is not at least in the 700s, then you are highly unlikely to be approved for this card. With the high annual fee, it is a card that mostly appeals to businesses with regular travel expenses anyway. Check your credit score before you decide to apply for this one.
Who Does the Delta Reserve Business Card Appeal to Most?
A credit card such as this mostly appeals to businesses that are going to be traveling all the time. If you only travel every once in a while on business, then you will not really be able to take advantage of everything that this card has to offer. You want to be able to use the various perks that make the high annual fee worthwhile. That being said, it is also a decent rewards card if you can fly enough to earn miles with Delta.
You will also need to be a regular Delta customer in order to make the most out of using the card. If you are not the type of business that likes to commit to flying exclusively with one airline, then you should probably look elsewhere. You need to be a Delta customer through and through if you want to sign up for this one. Think about whether you will be able to use this card often enough to make it worth your while.
An Alternative Card to Consider
Those who are looking for a solid alternative business travel credit card may want to shy away from an airline-based credit card. You should think about instead, signing up for the Amex Business Platinum Card. It allows you to earn great rewards that can be used in various ways. You can transfer your earned rewards to a number of different airlines or hotels, making the card a convenient option that does not limit you to just one airline.
See our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
You will also gain access to many great perks at hotels and with airlines. You will gain more airport lounge access, discounts on first premium class travel, and other discounts for your business. For most business owners who travel often, the Amex Platinum Business is a much better option. Consider the benefits of each card and then decide which will give you the highest value.
Decision Time: Is the Delta Reserve for Business Right for You?
The Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express comes highly recommended for any business that can use the card properly. If you fly with Delta Airlines often enough, then this card is an absolutely sensible choice. It gives you access to a variety of different luxury perks that will improve your overall travel experience. Being able to enjoy things such as priority boarding, airport lounges, and a concierge service is perfect.
It is not going to be the right fit for every type of business, though. Some businesses may be better off with a more general business travel credit card. Either way, this card has proven to be worth the annual fee for those who use it right. Consider signing up for this one if all of the perks and features sound good to you.
Delta Reserve for Business |
|---|
| INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn 80,000 miles after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months. Also earn 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles toward status. |
| REWARDS You’ll earn 2X miles on Delta purchases. |
| BENEFITS Priority Boarding. One free checked bag. Delta Sky Club access (plus up to 2 guests at $29 each). Annual companion certificate (good on domestic flights up to first class). Concierge Service. Earn 15,000 reward miles and 15,000 MQM's after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. |
| FEES $450 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply. |
| TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS If you're after Delta MQM's this card can help. The fee seems too high for what it offers though. Other premium travel cards are superior. |
| [earnist_link ref="delta-reserve-for-business-apply" id="12453"]LEARN MORE >>[/earnist_link] |
