The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate. While it comes with a high annual fee, frequent Delta flyers can find significant value through its array of travel benefits and ability to boost elite status qualification.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
Welcome Bonus of Delta Reserve Amex
The Delta Reserve Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full Spending on the Delta Reserve American Express will also help you earn Delta Medallion Elite status because you will earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQDs) for every $10 on your card. For example, if you spent $20,000 per year on this card, you would earn 2,000 MQDs. Plus, the Delta Reserve American Express offers an annual $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollar headstart for just holding the card.
Earning SkyMiles with Delta Reserve Amex
The Delta Reserve Amex earns the following points for spending:
This card’s earning potential is fairly limited, with only Delta purchases earning bonus miles. For everyday spending, you can likely do better with other cards that offer more robust rewards on common categories. However, the real value of this card lies in its elite status earning potential and premium Delta-specific perks, rather than its rewards on spending.
Spending on the Delta Reserve Business Amex will also help you earn Delta Medallion Elite status because you will earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQDs) for every $10 on your card. For example, if you spent $20,000 per year on this card, you would earn 2,000 MQDs.
Plus, the Delta Reserve Business Amex offers an annual $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollar headstart for just holding the card.
Annual Fee of Delta Reserve Amex
The Delta Reserve Amex has an annual fee of $650 (rates & fees), which you can offset the annual fee by taking advantage of the airport lounge access, annual companion certificate, free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel and purchase protections.
Benefits of Delta Reserve Amex
The Delta Reserve Amex offers many travel benefits for frequent Delta flyers, such as: 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: First Free Checked Bag: As a cardholder, your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, a benefit that extends to up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Given Delta’s standard checked bag fee of $35 each way, this perk can lead to substantial savings over time. Remember that 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.
Access to Delta SkyClub Lounges
Access to American Express Centurion Lounges
Amex Centurion Lounge Locations
Airport
Location
Atlanta (ATL)
Charlotte (CLT)
Dallas (DFW)
Denver (DEN)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA)
Newark (EWR)*
New York (JFK)
New York (LGA)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
Salt Lake City (SLC)*
San Francisco (SFO)
Seattle (SEA)
International Locations
Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
Delhi, India (DEL)
Hong Kong (HKG)
London, U.K. (LHR)
Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
Monterrey, Mexico (MTY)
Mumbai, India (BOM)
São Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
Stockholm, Sweden (ARN)
Sydney, Australia (SYD)
* Under Construction
Annual Companion Certificate at Renewal
Other Delta Air Lines Benefits
Special Credits
Travel Benefits
Purchase Benefits
Redeeming SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles offers a variety of ways to redeem your hard-earned miles for travel. One of the most straightforward options is booking Delta-operated flights, where award pricing is dynamic. This means flexibility in your travel dates can often lead to better value. Keep an eye out for SkyMiles deals, which can offer significant savings on specific routes. For international travel, Delta’s extensive partner network opens up a world of possibilities. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Delta allows you to redeem miles on 18 partner airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Korean Air. Additionally, non-alliance partners like WestJet provide more options, especially for travel to Canada. Partner awards often provide better value than Delta-operated flights, particularly for premium cabin travel. For example, business class flights from the U.S. to Mexico or within Asia can be excellent uses of SkyMiles. However, it’s important to note that partner award availability can be limited, so booking in advance is recommended. Another option is using miles for upgrades on Delta and select partner flights. While this typically provides lower value than booking award flights outright, it can be a good choice if you have a surplus of miles. Delta Vacations presents another redemption opportunity, often yielding at least 1.15 cents per mile in value. This can be particularly appealing for package deals including flights and luxury hotel stays. Remember, award prices can change without notice, so it’s always wise to book when you find a good deal. With some strategic planning, Delta SkyMiles can be a valuable currency for your travel needs.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick overview of this card’s advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
Airport Lounge Access: The card provides complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, as well as access to Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on the same day. This can significantly enhance your travel experience.
Elite Status Boost: You can earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) through card spending, making it easier to achieve elite status with Delta. This includes an annual MQD boost and the ability to earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card.
Annual Companion Certificate: Cardholders receive a companion certificate each year, valid for a round-trip ticket in first class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin. This can provide substantial savings, especially on premium cabin flights.
Travel Protections and Credits: The card offers various travel protections and credits, including a $200 annual Delta Stays credit, $240 annual Resy credit, and $120 annual rideshare credit. These benefits can help offset the annual fee.
Cons
High Annual Fee: The card comes with a steep $650 annual fee, which may be difficult to justify for some travelers who don’t frequently fly Delta or fully utilize the card’s benefits.
Limited Bonus Categories: The card only offers 3x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases. This earning structure is less competitive compared to other premium travel cards or even some lower-tier Delta co-branded cards.
Restricted Lounge Access (Starting 2025): Beginning February 2025, cardholders will be limited to 15 free annual visits to Delta Sky Clubs, unless they spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year for unlimited visits.
Complex Benefits Structure: The card offers numerous benefits and credits, but keeping track of and maximizing all of them can be complicated for some people. This may lead to underutilization of the card’s features.
Alternatives to the Delta Reserve
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
American Express Platinum Card®
American Express Platinum Card® (review) offers the most comprehensive airport lounge network available, giving you access to premium Centurion Lounges plus thousands of other lounges worldwide. You can easily offset the card’s large annual fee through generous credits for Uber, hotels, digital entertainment, Resy dining, and lifestyle brands like lululemon. Earning Points: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 5x points on on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com; 1x points on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (review) offers valuable perks for occasional Delta flyers at a reasonable annual fee. With benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding, this card can easily pay for itself if you fly Delta even a few times per year. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earn SkyMiles: 2x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases, at US supermarkets, and at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the US); 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to 8 travel companions, receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, 15% award discount, up to $100 back per year as a statement credit to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays, baggage insurance plan, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) delivers both everyday value with unlimited 2x miles on purchases and premium comfort through comprehensive airport lounge access for you upon enrollment. You’ll also receive $300 in annual travel credits plus 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, creating substantial ongoing value. Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months. Earning Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases. Card Benefits: $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, airport lounge access (Capital One and Priority Pass) upon enrollment, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President’s Circle elite status, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and cell phone protection. Transfer Partners: Accor (2 to 1), Aeromexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, I Prefer Hotels (1 to 2), Japan Airlines(2 to 1.5), JetBlue (5 to 3), Qantas, Qatar, Singapore KrisFlyer, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Red, and Wyndham Rewards.
Is the Delta Reserve Worth It?
The Delta Reserve Amex can be a valuable addition to your wallet if you’re a frequent Delta flyer looking for premium perks.
You’ll get complimentary Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta, plus Centurion Lounge access, which can significantly enhance your travel experience. The card’s ability to help you earn Medallion status through spending is a major draw, potentially saving you from countless hours in the air.
While the annual fee is steep, the companion certificate alone can offset much of that cost if used strategically. However, you’ll want to weigh the benefits against your travel patterns and goals to determine if this card aligns with your needs.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
