Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card Review

Delta Reserve Business cardholders and additional card members will enjoy complimentary Delta Sky Club memberships when flying on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.

An individual Delta Sky Club membership typically costs $695 each year. This means having the Delta Reserve card at $650 with lounge access and other travel perks is a money-saving deal.

Plus, you can receive four one-time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.

Delta Sky Clubs offer free Wi-Fi, light meals, snacks, and refreshments, and provide a quiet, comfortable place for relaxation before take-off. 

Future Changes: Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.

You’ll also have complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when you use your Delta Reserve Business Amex to book your Delta flight. 

You can invite up to two guests at $50 per person.

As the primary cardholder, you’ll get a companion certificate every year for a round-trip flight in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, Premium Select, or first class upon renewing your Delta Reserve card. 

There are some things you need to be aware of for the Annual Companion Certificate:

• It is only valid for roundtrip travel to all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
• It’s only valid for travel in the I and Z fare classes in first class, the W fare class in Comfort+, and the L, U, T, X, and V fare classes in economy.
• The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
• You must complete the travel by the expiration date of the certificate.

First and Second Free Checked Bag: Check your first bag free on Delta flights worldwide, and get a second bag free when flying domestically. The first-bag benefit extends to up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation. Given Delta’s standard checked bag fee of $35 each way, this perk can lead to substantial savings over time. The waiver applies to bags weighing 50 lbs or less and within Delta’s standard size limits—any overweight or oversized bags will still incur applicable fees.

Priority Boarding:  This Delta card grants you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation the privilege of boarding in Zone 5 ahead of most Main Cabin passengers. This benefit ensures ample overhead bin space for your carry-on bags and provides time to settle in before the flight.

15% Award Discount: One of the more unique perks of Delta credit cards is the TakeOff 15 benefit, which offers a 15% discount on award travel booked on Delta.com when signed into your account associated with your card. This discount applies to the SkyMiles required for an award ticket, not the dollar amount of government-imposed taxes and fees. While limited to Delta-operated flights (not partner airlines), this discount can help your miles go further, especially on more expensive routes or last-minute bookings.

20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: When using your Delta American Express Card for eligible inflight purchases like food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights, you’ll receive a 20% savings as a statement credit. This discount applies to purchases made by primary cardholders and authorized users on domestic and international flights. However, it doesn’t cover inflight Wi-Fi.

Upgrade Priority: If you have Delta Medallion status, you’ll receive upgrade priority over other Medallion members of the same elite status level and fare class grouping. 

Potential Complimentary Upgrades: If you don’t have Medallion elite status, you can still qualify for the complimentary upgrades, but you will be prioritized behind elite members.

Pay with SkyMiles: Delta SkyMiles credit cards unlock the ability to ability to “Pay with Miles” allowing cardmembers to pay for flights with SkyMiles at a rate of 1.0 cents per mile (in increments of 5,000 miles per $50).

$200 Annual Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $200 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta Reserve Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays.

$240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required.

$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto. Enrollment Required.

Hertz President’s Circle Status: The Delta Reserve Amex offers Hertz President’s Circle status upon enrollment. Hertz President’s Circle elite status, which offers benefits such the ability to choose your car at Hertz Ultimate Choice locations when you book an intermediate car or higher, complimentary upgrades, a 50% points bonus, and a free additional driver.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose.

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck® Credit: This card offers a credit for TSA PreCheck (expedited airport security) or Global Entry (expedited airport security and customs).

Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.*

Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.*

Baggage Insurance Plan covers your baggage if it is lost, damaged, or stolen and you purchase your ticket with this card.*

Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences.

Extended Warranty Protection: When you purchase items with your credit card, you’ll get an extra year of warranty coverage on eligible items that have original manufacturer warranties of up to five years. This valuable perk means you can protect expensive electronics and appliances that come with longer manufacturer warranties without paying extra for store protection plans*

Return Protection allows cardholders to receive a refund for purchased items within a certain timeframe for items that merchants may not accept for return.*

90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.*

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.