The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the most premium cobranded card offered by Amex and Delta Air Lines, with a high annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).
When you purchase cards with an annual fee of $400 plus, you should receive premium benefits and excessive value.
So let’s see if the Delta Reserve card is worth the annual fee.
Welcome offer
The Delta SkyMiles Reservation card offers 100,000 bonus SkyMiles after you spend $6,000 within the first six months of your card membership. This equates to the best offer ever we’ve seen on this card. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents per mile, making this offer worth $1,200. This offer is valid until March 27.
Not everyone may qualify for a welcome offer, especially if you’re upgrading from other SkyMiles Amex cards.
Earn rates
The Delta Reserve card earns Delta SkyMiles. With this card you earn 3 miles per dollar on all Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. These figures equate to a return on expenditure of 3.6% and 1.2% respectively.
Other cards have a higher return on spend than 1.2% on everyday purchases, but if you’re a Delta frequent flyer, Sky Club access and other benefits can help offset this.
Related: Best Premium Credit Cards
Earn Medallion status
The Delta Reserve comes with a convenient way to qualify for Medallion status.
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For every $10 you spend, you will earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar. Additionally, cardholders will receive 2,500 MQDs to their SkyMiles account each Medallion qualifying year. This is a great way to get a jump start on earning those valuable MQDs that can earn you Medallion elite status.
Related: Get a better chair! The ultimate guide to getting an upgrade on Delta flights
Statement credits
Credit for rides
The Delta Reserve has a monthly credit of up to $10 after you use your card to pay for an eligible rideshare service. This credit is valid on select rideshare services in the US (registration required).
Related: Uber unveils new family and group features to simplify the travel experience
Resy credits
Food lovers will appreciate it Delta Reserve has monthly Resy credits of up to $20. Cardholders receive up to $20 in credits monthly on eligible purchases at US Resy restaurants. Any restaurant on Resy is eligible for the credit when you pay with your Delta Reserve card. (Registration is required.)
Amex states: “Eligible Resy purchases include purchases at U.S. restaurants that offer reservations on Resy.com and the Resy app, and purchases made directly on Resy.com or in the Resy app. Restaurants must be live on Resy.com or the Resy app at time of purchase to qualify for the credit and are subject to change at any time. Purchases made through Resy Pay and purchases of Resy OS restaurant management software are not eligible.”
Related: Better Food and More Options: Why I Value Priority Pass’ Airport Restaurant Credit Over Lounge Access
Delta Stays credit
Delta Reserve cardholders receive an annual credit of up to $200 toward Delta Stays bookings. You must book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta to receive the credit. If you maximize its value, you can get one to two nights free in a hotel or holiday home, depending on the cost of the destination.
Access to lounges
Currently, Reserve cardholders have unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs. You can bring two guests for €50 per person. You will not be allowed into the lounge if you are a cardholder flying on a Basic Economy ticket.
However, this applies from 1 February 2025 Delta Reserve cardholders are only allowed 15 visits to Delta Sky Clubs annually. Once you have used all 15 visits, you can use your card to purchase one-time passes for $50.
However, you will receive unlimited visits in 2025 if you spend more than $75,000 on the card in 2024. This will continue year after year. Cardholders also receive four guest passes per year.
Cardholders gain access to Centurion Lounges or Escape lounges when you book a Delta flight on your card. This access is unlimited for ticket holders and they may bring up to two guests for $50 per adult and $30 per child ages 2 to 17.
Related: The ultimate guide to gaining access to the Delta Sky Club
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Companion certificate
Cardholders of the Delta Reserve receive a supervisor certificate every year after renewal. This companion certificate allows you to purchase two round-trip tickets for the price of one, plus taxes and fees of not more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and not more than $250 for round-trip international flights.
This companion certificate is valid in First Class, Premium Select, Comfort+ or Main Cabin on domestic (including Alaska and Hawaii), Caribbean and Central American routes.
If you use this certificate on a first class ticket, you can recoup the cost of the annual fare from this benefit alone. In addition, you can enjoy extra savings if you travel to a popular destination in Main Cabin during the high season.
Related: Delta Vacations improves earning rates and redemption values for SkyMiles members
Other benefits
The Delta Reserve card comes with numerous other useful benefits, such as:
- Free Upgrades: Cardholders who do not have Delta SkyMiles Medallion status are eligible for free upgrades on Delta One (within the 50 US states), First Class and Comfort+ after Medallion members
- 15% discount on all Delta-operated award flights in any service cabin (I often use this benefit when I want to book last-minute domestic transcontinental flights)
- Priority boarding in group 7 of 10
- Free checked baggage (first bag free for the cardholder and up to eight people traveling with the same reservation)
- Up to $100 credit every four years for Global Entry or up to $85 credit every 4 1/2 years for TSA PreCheck
- 20% back on onboard food and drink purchases (onboard Wi-Fi purchases not included)
- Travel protections
- Enrollment required for select card benefits
Related: Your Complete Guide to Store Protections on American Express Cards
In short
The Delta Reserve card is the highest level card in the SkyMiles Amex family, with lounge access and other benefits such as the companion certificate.
If you’re a Delta loyalist who values Sky Club access and a faster path to Medallion elite status, this could be a good fit, with plenty of credits to offset the high annual fee (see rates and fees).
However, if you don’t fly Delta often, there are other cards you should consider adding to your wallet.
For more information, read our full review of the Delta Reserve card.
Submit your application here: Delta SkyMiles Reservation
For Delta SkyMiles Reserve rates and reimbursements, click here.
