Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review 2024
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card review
Key Takeaways
What we think: For Delta super-loyalists, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes loaded with valuable benefits like Sky Club access, an annual companion certificate, and more. If you can fully utilize these perks, the $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) could be well worth it.
Some of the benefits of the Delta Reserve card are Sky Club lounge access, discounted Award Travel, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit, an annual companion certificate, in-flight discounts, travel insurance and access to premium experiences.
Delta Reserve members are first in line behind Medallion members when it comes to getting free seat upgrades.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
This card gives you bonus miles on eligible purchases, plus travel insurance, shopping benefits, access to curated experiences and other valuable perks. Overall, the Delta Reserve card is ideal for frequent travelers who use enough card benefits to earn back the $650 annual fee.
So is the Delta Reserve card worth all the hype? We’ve done the work to help you decide for yourself.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs & Amex Centurion Lounges
Annual Companion Certificate, good for one ticket in the same class you’re in
Earn 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Review
Is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card worth it?
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve is worth it if you are loyal to Delta Air Lines and can take advantage of enough benefits, like Sky Club access, to justify the $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). In addition to 3X miles on Delta purchases, you get Priority Boarding, complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club, a 15% discount on Award Travel and 20% back on in-flight purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Highlights
Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X miles on other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Priority boarding benefits, Annual Companion Certificate, and complimentary Delta Sky Club access.
Instead of unlimited Sky Club access, 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 after that.
Who is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card best for?
This Delta credit card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers who prioritize premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access, complimentary upgrades, and priority boarding, above the opportunity to earn cash back on everyday purchases. If you prefer to earn cash back that you can use on retail purchases or apply as a statement credit, there are better cards out there. Otherwise, it may be worth it to apply for the Delta Reserve.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Rewards
Earning rewards
The Delta Reserve Card has a simple rewards scheme. You earn three miles per dollar spent on all purchases made directly with Delta and one mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you want to spend your 25th anniversary in Paris, France. You splurge on airfare, spending $3,800 for you and your spouse to sit in First Class on a Delta-marketed flight. While you’re overseas, you spend $2,000 on dining, $900 on souvenirs and $720 on admission to museums and other attractions.
This is how many miles you’d earn:
Delta airfare: 11,400 ($3,800 x 3)
Dining: 2,000 ($2,000 x 1)
Souvenirs: 900 ($900 x 1)
Admission fees: 720 ($720 x 1)
That’s a total of 15,020 SkyMiles, giving you a big head start on your next trip.
Redeeming rewards
American Express offers the following SkyMiles redemption methods:
Airfare: You can apply your miles to flights operated by Delta or one of its partners.
Gift/transfer: If you need a gift for your favorite traveler, consider transferring some or all of your miles to their SkyMiles account.
Baggage fees: If you’re traveling with a friend or family member, you can use your miles to pay their baggage fees.
Seat upgrades: After you purchase your ticket, Delta may offer to upgrade you to a different fare class. You can use miles to pay for these upgrades.
SkyMiles Experiences: Delta allows you to use your miles to bid on premium experiences. For example, you may be able to bid on a backstage experience at a major concert venue.
Delta Vacations: If you book travel through Delta Vacations, you can use your miles to defray the cost of your trip.
Welcome offer
With the Delta Reserve, you can earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. This welcome offer may change at any time.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card benefits
Travel benefits
The Delta Reserve card comes with several travel benefits, including:
Airport lounge access: Your membership entitles you to complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, Escape Lounges and Centurion Lounges worldwide. You’ll also receive 4 Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year, then can buy additional guest passes at a discounted rate. The guest fee is $50 per person for Delta Sky Clubs/Centurion Lounges and $30 per person for Escape Lounges. (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 after that).
Priority boarding: Membership entitles you to Zone 5 Priority Boarding. This allows you to board ahead of several groups, giving you more time to relax before your flight takes off.
Free checked bag: As a Reserve member, you get to check one standard bag (50 pounds or less) for free every time you fly.
Annual Delta SkyMiles Companion Certificate: The Annual Companion Certificate entitles you to one free companion ticket each year. This applies to Main Cabin, Comfort+ and First Class seats. Depending on where you want to travel, this benefit could be worth well over $1,000.
Upgrade priority: Once all Medallion members have their seat assignments, Reserve members are next in line for upgrades.
Upgrade eligibility: If there are unsold seats on your flight, you may qualify for a complimentary upgrade. For example, you may be able to sit in Comfort+ or First Class for no additional charge.
TakeOff 15: When you use miles to pay for Award Travel, you’re eligible for a 15% discount.
In-flight discounts: Reserve members are eligible for 20% back on food, beverages and headsets purchased on board. You receive this benefit in the form of a statement credit, so you have to pay the full cost up front and wait to be reimbursed for 20% of that amount.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: If you travel frequently, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry may help you get through the airport a bit faster. As a Reserve member, you’re eligible for a statement credit of up to $85 for PreCheck enrollment or up to $100 for Global Entry enrollment.
Trip insurance*: The Delta Reserve comes with several types of travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellations, trip interruptions, trip delays, rental car damage and lost/stolen baggage.
Global Assist Hotline*: The Global Assist Hotline has agents available to help you any time you encounter an emergency when traveling more than 100 miles from home. For example, if you have a medical emergency, a Global Assist agent may be able to arrange for transportation or refer you to a nearby hospital.
Concierge services: Reserve members are entitled to complimentary concierge services. A concierge may be able to purchase event tickets, make restaurant reservations or handle other tasks on your behalf.
$200 Delta Stays Statement Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Amex Card Members can earn up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit each year on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
Earn toward Medallion Status: You can earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year. Additionally, receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year to get closer to the next Medallion Status with MQD Headstart.
*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.
Shopping benefits and protections
Although many people get the Delta Reserve for its travel benefits, it also comes with several valuable shopping perks:
Purchase protection: This benefit protects you if a covered item is stolen or damaged within 90 days of the original purchase date. To qualify for reimbursement, you must use your Delta Reserve to purchase the item.
Return protection: If a retailer refuses to take back an eligible item within 90 days of purchase, American Express may give you a refund. This benefit only applies to items purchased with the Delta Reserve. There’s also a maximum refund amount of $300 per item and $1,000 per calendar year.
Extended warranty: When you use the Delta Reserve to purchase an item with a manufacturer’s warranty that lasts for five years or less, you qualify for an extended warranty. This benefit extends your original warranty for up to one year.
American Express Auto Purchasing Program: The American Express Auto Purchasing Program connects you with thousands of auto dealers who accept American Express cards for at least $2,000 toward the purchase of a vehicle. You may also qualify for special incentives.
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.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: The fine print
Before you apply for the Delta Reserve, make sure you understand all pertinent rates, fees and limits (see rates and fees).
Fees
Annual fee: $650
Balance transfer fee: N/A (American Express doesn’t allow balance transfers on the Delta Reserve card)
Cash advance fee: The greater of $10 or 5% of the cash advance
Foreign transaction fees: $0 (no foreign transaction fees)
Interest rates
Regular APR: 20.49% to 29.49% variable
Purchase intro APR: N/A
Balance transfer intro APR: N/A
Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable
Credit limit
American Express doesn’t publish the maximum credit limit for this card, but you may qualify for a limit exceeding $20,000. It depends on how much you earn and whether you have a good or an excellent credit score.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Drawbacks
High annual fee
The Delta Reserve’s $650 annual fee is considerably higher than many other premium travel cards. If you can maximize the benefits provided by this card, the high fee may be worth it. Considering the cost of airplane tickets these days, the Annual Companion Certificate can offset the majority of the fee (or more) by itself. Add on Sky Club access and it’s certainly possible to get enough value to justify this yearly charge. However, if you’re not exclusively loyal to Delta, $650 per year for this card may not be a worthy investment.
Limited reward categories
Aside from Delta purchases, you only earn 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible spending. Many travel credit cards have additional bonus categories like dining or grocery spending, but not the Delta Reserve card. If you’re not buying a lot of flights, it may take a while to rack up enough miles on other eligible purchases to meet your travel goals.
Qualification for unlimited lounge visits
Starting February 1, 2025, unlimited Delta Sky Club access requires $75,000 in annual card spending. You’ll still get 15 visits per year anyway, which may or may not be enough depending on how often you travel. If you use up all of your passes and haven’t met the spending requirement for unlimited access, you can purchase additional visits at $50 per person per visit. If you have a child under the age of two, they can access the Sky Club with you for no additional charge.
If you do meet the spending requirement, unlimited access will last until the end of the next calendar year. So, for example, if you applied for this card in February 2024 and met the spending threshold in July 2024, you’ll get unlimited access to SkyClub from the day you meet that threshold through December 31, 2025.
How the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card compares
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has an annual fee of $350 (see rates and fees), making it more affordable than the Delta Reserve card. It also comes with 3X miles on eligible hotel purchases and 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, which is more than you earn with Delta Reserve.
Despite these drawbacks, the Reserve outperforms the Delta Platinum card in terms of premium travel benefits. For example, the Annual Companion Certificate you get with the Delta Platinum only covers Main Cabin airfare. The one you get with the Reserve card is good for seats in Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is different from the co-branded Amex Delta Reserve card. Since it’s not marketed to Delta customers, the Amex Platinum Card gives you Membership Rewards Points instead of bonus miles.
A major difference between the two cards is that the Amex Platinum Card gives you 5X points on these categories:
Flights booked via American Express Travel
Flights booked directly with airlines (all airlines, not just Delta)
Eligible prepaid hotels booked via American Express Travel
Like the Delta Reserve, the Amex Platinum Card gives you 1X points on all other eligible purchases. That said, the Platinum Card also comes with a generous welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. (Terms apply. See Amex Platinum rates and fees).
Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1X points on other eligible purchases.
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Should you get the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
The Delta Reserve card is for discerning travelers who want to earn premium benefits based on their travel habits. It’s worth the $650 annual fee if you always use Delta rather than booking through other airlines. It may also be worth it if you use your Annual Companion Certificate each year, as this certificate may be worth $1,000 or more when used to book a seat in First Class.
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For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this page.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this page.
FAQs: Delta Reserve card
Does the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card get you Sky Priority?
No. The Delta Reserve card gives you access to Zone 5 Priority Boarding, which allows you to board your flight early. This is different from Sky Priority, which gives you access to a suite of services designed to make your travel experience more pleasant. Sky Priority is available to passengers in First Class, Delta Premium Select and Delta One®. You may also qualify for Sky Priority if you have Medallion status. Available benefits include early boarding, faster check-in and expedited baggage handling.
Does the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card help with upgrades?
Yes. Travelers with Medallion status have first dibs, but if any seats remain after all Medallion members have checked in, you may qualify for a free upgrade with your Delta Reserve membership. Note that upgrades aren’t available on every flight. It all depends on how many empty seats there are and how many passengers are ahead of you in the upgrade queue.
Is it hard to get a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
This card is for consumers with good to excellent credit, so it’s tough to get if you have a low credit score or a lack of credit experience.
What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
Is it worth upgrading from Delta Platinum to Reserve?
Both cards offer a wide range of benefits, so it depends on your personal preferences. The Reserve card offers 3X back on Delta purchases, but all other categories earn bonus miles at a rate of one mile per dollar. In contrast, the American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers 3X miles on Delta and eligible hotel purchases, 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and 1X miles on everything else.
If you’re basing your decision on miles alone, it’s not worth upgrading. However, the Delta Reserve comes with a few benefits that aren’t included with the Delta Platinum. For example, the Reserve comes with an Annual Companion Certificate that’s good for one free companion ticket in Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class. The certificate that comes with the Delta Platinum card is only good for Main Cabin fare. Review the terms of each card carefully to determine which is the best credit card for you.
Does the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card get you into Sky Club?
Your Delta Reserve membership includes unlimited Delta Sky Club access at no additional charge. That’s changing on January 1, 2025. Once the program changes go into effect, you’ll be limited to 15 days of Delta Sky Club use per year. You may qualify for unlimited Sky Club access if you spend at least $75,000 per calendar year on your Reserve card.
How do I apply for a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
You’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for this card. If you are confident you meet the eligibility criteria, you can learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card and apply online.
American Express is more than just a credit card issuer
The first step in growing and maintaining consistent savings is to understand your personal finances through checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and more.
Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.
In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.
In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.
* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.
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