Review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex card: Delta’s premier credit offering

Overview of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with a host of valuable perks for Delta travelers, along with the chance to gain elite status through card expenditures. It's ideal for regular flyers seeking Delta-centric advantages, such as lounge access (with restrictions starting Feb. 1, 2025), an elite status boost, and a domestic companion certificate every account anniversary. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

Although the Delta Reserve carries a substantial $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), it presents numerous benefits that can justify the cost and deliver significant value for dedicated Delta users.

To qualify for this card, a minimum credit score of 670 is recommended.

Let’s take a detailed look at the Delta Reserve Amex and its advantages, helping you determine if it’s the right card for your needs.

Pros and cons of the Delta Reserve Amex

Welcome offer for the Delta Reserve Amex

The Delta Reserve Amex grants new cardholders the chance to earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on qualifying purchases within the first six months of membership.

According to TPG's September 2024 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are valued at 1.2 cents each, which translates to a worth of $840.

Certain applicants may not qualify for this welcome offer. Specifically, due to Amex's one-bonus-per-card-per-lifetime rule, you generally won’t be eligible if you currently have this card or have held prior versions.

Amex may also take into account the number of American Express cards you’ve opened and closed, whether you’ve had another card within the Delta family, and other factors when assessing your eligibility for this welcome offer.

Fortunately, Amex will inform you if you are ineligible for the welcome offer after you submit your application but before they check your credit. Therefore, if you aim to secure the welcome bonus, be mindful of any messages or alerts that appear post-application.

Benefits of the Delta Reserve Amex

The Delta Reserve Amex provides numerous valuable perks for frequent Delta travelers. Some benefits may require enrollment, and terms apply.

Access to lounges

With the Delta Reserve Amex, primary and additional cardholders currently enjoy unlimited access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.

A TPG reader highlighted lounge access as one of the greatest benefits of the Delta Reserve Amex, noting it helps justify the card's steep annual fee:

"Discounted mileage awards, companion pass, priority boarding, lounge access* and guest passes. The fee is worthwhile if you utilize the lounge a few times annually." — Milos K via Facebook

Note: Responses from readers have not been modified, vetted, or endorsed by the issuers, nor do they represent TPG's views on these cards.

Beginning in February 2025, this will be adjusted to 15 free annual visits, with unlimited visits available after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.

Cardholders may also pay a fee of $50 per person per location for Sky Club access when flying on a Delta partner airline that is not marketed or operated by Delta. After utilizing all 15 complimentary visits, cardholders must pay $50 for each visit to enter a Sky Club.

The Delta Reserve Amex also grants you complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on a ticket bought with a U.S.-issued American Express card. You can bring up to two guests into the Centurion Lounge for a fee of $50 per person, per location.

Cardholders receive four one-time Sky Club guest passes when they open their account and each year upon renewal. You can pay $50 per person per location to bring up to two guests or immediate family members (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) into the Sky Club. Guests can access Grab and Go Sky Club locations for $25 each per visit.

Annual companion certificate

A significant advantage of the Delta Reserve Amex is the companion certificate that cardholders receive each year after their account anniversary. This certificate allows one companion to fly round-trip in first class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin when you purchase one adult round-trip ticket.

It is applicable for travel to all 50 U.S. states, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Depending on how you utilize your companion ticket, it can potentially save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually, particularly if you opt for first-class travel.

Elite status qualification

Delta Reserve Amex cardholders earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) for every $10 spent, with no cap on the number of MQDs you can accumulate through credit card purchases.

You will also receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each year.

Other perks

The Delta Reserve Amex offers a variety of other fantastic travel-related benefits, including:

• Complimentary Hertz President's Circle status
• An annual statement credit of up to $240 Resy statement credit every calendar year (up to $20 monthly) at U.S. Resy restaurants
• An annual ride-hailing credit of up to $120 each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) with eligible U.S. providers
• Up to $200 annual statement credit for Delta Stays each calendar year
• First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions
• Priority boarding
• 15% discount on award redemptions for Delta flights
• 20% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases
• $120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits; terms apply.

The Delta Reserve Amex also offers comprehensive shopping protections and travel coverage when you use your card for specific purchases. Terms and exclusions apply.

Earning miles on the Delta Reserve Amex

As the name suggests, the Delta Reserve Amex accumulates Delta SkyMiles as follows when you make eligible purchases with the card:

• 3 miles per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
• 1 mile per dollar on all other qualifying purchases

Even with 3 miles per dollar on airfare, you might hesitate to spend much on the Delta Reserve Amex after receiving the welcome bonus. According to TPG's September 2024 valuation of Delta miles at 1.2 cents each, you'll only achieve a 3.6% return on Delta purchases and a 1.2% return on all other expenses.

You could find better options, particularly if you explore other American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points which can be transferred to Delta.

Redeeming miles on the Delta Reserve Amex

Delta's dynamic pricing can complicate the process of redeeming Delta SkyMiles. While the impact of variable pricing may be minimal in some instances, locating the best redemption can be tricky, especially for long-haul or premium bookings.

When it comes to premium-cabin awards, prices can soar. Booking through other loyalty programs may yield better options than these one-way awards between LAX and London Heathrow (LHR).

If you have the flexibility, it's wise to save your Delta miles for the airline's frequent flash award sales. Previously, we've observed deals for domestic awards starting at 2,000 SkyMiles each way and business class from New York to Bogota, Colombia, for just 12,000 SkyMiles each way.

You can also use your SkyMiles to travel on international SkyTeam partner airlines like Air France and Korean Air, in addition to select non-alliance partners such as WestJet.

Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for various items beyond flights, including premium alcoholic beverages in Sky Clubs, hotels, and rental cars. However, be aware that some redemption options may offer relatively low value.

Former TPG staffer Hannah Streck frequently utilizes her Delta SkyMiles to book award tickets, taking advantage of the 15% discount on Delta flights to maximize her miles.

Which cards rival the Delta Reserve Amex?

Most Delta Reserve Amex cardholders choose it for two main reasons: access to the Delta Sky Club and an additional boost toward earning Delta elite status. In these areas, the Delta Reserve Amex faces three key competitors:

• If you seek higher earning rates: The The Platinum Card® from American Express provides 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on airfare (for up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) purchased via American Express Travel or directly with the airline, resulting in a 10% return based on TPG's September 2024 valuations. Membership Rewards points can still be transferred to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. For further details, see our full review of the Amex Platinum.
• If you prefer a lower annual fee: Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, which offers a free first checked bag and priority boarding, along with a reduced annual fee of $350 (see rates and fees), making it more appealing for some consumers. For more information, check out our full review of the Delta Platinum Amex.
• If you're looking for a business card: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card could be a better fit for you. It shares many features with the consumer version but allows you to charge business expenses to the card and potentially earn more miles. To learn more, see our full review of the Delta Reserve Business Amex card.

For more options, refer to our full list of the best travel cards.

Conclusion

This card is ideal for Delta enthusiasts seeking complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and elite-like advantages when flying or redeeming miles. If this describes you, this card could be a worthwhile investment, despite the upcoming restrictions on Sky Club access in February 2025.

On the other hand, if you're not particularly interested in many Delta-specific perks and aim to maximize your earnings, a card that offers transferable points, such as the Amex Platinum, would be a better choice.