Out with the Gold, In with the Delta Reserve!

I recently picked up the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, and while I don’t typically love spending on airline and hotel co-branded cards ( I would rather spend with my FLEXIBLE REWARDS cards), this one made strategic sense for me this year. Here’s why I got it, how I plan to use it, and why it’s the best fit for my current travel plans.

Why I Got the Delta Reserve Business Card

At first, I ran into a glitch when applying because American Express generally restricts cardholders to a maximum of five personal and business credit cards combined. To move forward, I had to cancel one card, and the Delta Gold Amex was an easy choice to go. The only reason I had kept it was for the 15% discount on Delta SkyMiles redemptions (which the Reserve version has, too)—but beyond that, I never liked using it for everyday spending since it locks me into Delta miles instead of earning flexible points.

That brings up the question: Why get the Delta Reserve if I don’t love spending on Delta cards? The answer is simple: Delta Platinum status.

The Path to Delta Platinum in 2025

I have about seven Delta flights booked in 2025, and between my flights and the $2,500 MQD (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) boost from holding the Delta Reserve, I’ll be close to Platinum status but not quite there.

So, why am I aiming for Delta Platinum status? The main reason is the automatic upgrades to Comfort+ when I book a Main Cabin ticket. I really like this feature because it gives me extra legroom and a better experience without paying extra. While first-class upgrades are less predictable, Comfort+ upgrades clear automatically as a Platinum member, making a noticeable difference in my travel.

Since I’ll need a way to top off my status at the end of the year, I wanted a card that would allow me to earn MQDs efficiently.

Here’s why I chose the Delta Reserve over the Delta Platinum:

• Delta Reserve: Earns 1 MQD per $10 spent
• Delta Platinum: Earns 1 MQD per $20 spent

If I’m forced to put spending on a Delta card, I want to minimize the amount required. The Reserve lets me hit my goal with half the spending compared to the Platinum card. Since I prefer earning flexible points on other cards, this was a crucial factor in my decision.

Why Not Upgrade My Gold to the Reserve?

One might wonder why I didn’t just upgrade my Delta Gold Amex to the Delta Reserve. The simple answer is that I would have missed out on the 110K welcome bonus. When you upgrade, you don’t qualify for the same initial bonus that comes with a new card. Since I wanted to take full advantage of the bonus (which, with proper planning, can justify the $650 annual fee), applying for the Reserve instead of upgrading was the smarter move for me.

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Making the Most of the Perks

Here’s how I plan to get the most value from it this year:

• 110,000 SkyMiles welcome bonus – Worth more than the $650 fee when used wisely.
• $20/month Resy credit – Helps offset dining costs.
• $10/month rideshare credit – This is More challenging to use since it doesn’t work on Uber Eats, unlike the Amex Platinum and Gold Uber Cash.
• 15 additional Delta Sky Club visits – Nice to have, though not essential for me as I am not sure I would have used up my 10 visits this year that I get with my Amex Platinum card.
• First-class companion ticket – Hopefully, I’ll find a great way to use this in the future.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, my main reason for getting the Delta Reserve Business Card was to secure Platinum status when I get close—and the 110K bonus certainly didn’t hurt! While I still prefer earning flexible points over Delta SkyMiles, this card gives me a targeted way to reach my status goal without locking me into excessive spending.

If you’re considering a Delta card for status, it’s important to calculate how much spending will be required and pick the one that gets you there most efficiently. For me, the Delta Reserve Business Card made the most sense in 2025.

Related posts:

How I Scored $200 Off an Expensive Birthday Dinner at Laser Wolf Using Amex Gold Resy Credits An Annoying Mistake: Wasting 8,000 Amex Points on a Delta Ticket Change How I Got 17,000 Delta SkyMiles Back in Five Minutes Thanks to Autopilot I Just Got Another 8450 Delta SkyMiles Back Into My Account In Addition To The 17K I Got Earlier This Month Thanks to Autopilot!