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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review: Top-tier perks for Delta flyers
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
June 5, 2026 • 11 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
This premium airline card is designed for frequent flyers seeking lounge access, elite status boosts and valuable travel perks.
Key benefits include annual companion certificates, complimentary checked bags and priority upgrades on flights.
Cardholders receive a set number of annual lounge visits, with options to increase access through significant yearly spending.
The card also provides statement credits for travel, dining and ride-hailing, plus various shopping and travel protections.
What to consider
You must fly with the airline to access most lounge benefits, and guest access may incur additional fees.
Earning elite status through spending is possible, but requires high annual spend to unlock unlimited lounge visits.
Statement credits for travel and dining require enrollment and may not be fully utilized by all cardholders.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing premium travel cards and in-depth guidance on maximizing lounge access, companion certificates and elite status qualification.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Limited-Time Offer
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
TPG Editor's Rating3.5 / 5
at American Express's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
The is a must-have for frequent Delta flyers. Perks include Delta Sky Club lounge access, complimentary checked bags and an annual companion certificate. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex: The basics
The carries a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), but the benefits go a long way toward offsetting that cost. The annual companion certificate alone can be worth more than the annual fee.
Cardmembers also get complimentary lounge access, two free checked bags (the first bag is free worldwide and the second bag on domestic U.S. flights) and priority upgrades.
THE POINTS GUY
These benefits make me feel valued as a cardmember and Delta flyerwhen I travel. I know I'll enjoy a speedy trip through airport security before heading to a lounge, and I often get upgraded to a premium cabin, making my flight more comfortable.
The card doesn't have the highest earning rates out there, but it is still worth putting some spend on this card if you want to earn Delta elite status.
TPG recommends a good to excellent credit score to increase the chances of being approved.
Let's take a closer look at the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex and its benefits to help you decide if it’s right for you.
High spending requirement to earn unlimited Sky Club access
Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex benefits
The offers several useful perks for frequent Delta flyers.
Lounge access
Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers receive access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardmembers receive 15 annual visits to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight, with unlimited annual visits after spending $75,000 in a calendar year. It’s simple to keep track of your visits online or in the Delta app.
Cardmembers can pay a $50 fee per person, per location for Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta partner airline flight not marketed or operated by Delta. After a cardmember has used all 15 complimentary visits, they must pay $50 per visit to access a Sky Club.
Delta Sky Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The Delta Reserve Amex will also get you unlimited complimentary visits to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket purchased on a U.S.-issued American Express card. You can bring up to two guests into the Centurion Lounge with you for a fee of $50 per person per location (or $30 each for children aged 2 to 17).
We all know airport lounges can get crowded. I love that the Delta Reserve Amex provides me with options, so I still have somewhere to grab a drink and a bite to eat even if one lounge is at capacity.
Cardmembers also get four one-time Sky Club guest passes upon account opening and each year upon account renewal. This is especially useful when I travel with my family.
After using your guest passes, you can pay $50 per person per location to bring up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) with you into the Sky Club. Guests can access Grab and Go Sky Club locations for $25 per person per visit.
Annual companion certificate
Cardmembers receive a companion certificate each year after their account anniversary. The companion certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket to destinations in the U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean in first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin (when you purchase one adult round-trip ticket).
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Depending on what you redeem your companion ticket for, you could use it to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, especially if you fly first class.
I used my most recent companion pass to cover my son's ticket on our positioning flights before a trip to Paris. It made a huge impact on our budget and allowed us to spend on other things (mostly coffee and baguettes) during our time in Paris.
Elite status qualification
Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $10 spent, with no limit on how many MQDs you can earn through card spending. You’ll also receive a boost of 2,500 MQDs at the start of each Medallion Qualification Year.
You only need 5,000 MQDs to reach Silver Medallion status. On average, I fly Delta fewer than 10 times per year, yet I still easily maintain my Silver Medallion status. If you fly more frequently or put significant spending on this card, reaching Gold Medallion status is realistic.
Preflight and inflight benefits
The offers several benefits that make your time in the airport, in the air and during your trips more comfortable:
Two free checked bags for the cardmember (and up to eight companions) traveling on the same reservation (the first bag is free worldwide and the second bag on domestic U.S. flights)
3 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Based on TPG’s June 2026 valuations of Delta miles at 1.2 cents each, you’ll only get a 3.6% return on Delta purchases and a 1.2% return on everything else. As I mentioned before, this card's value doesn't come from using it for everyday spending. I primarily use this card to earn MQDs and access its travel benefits.
Despite the frustration of Delta's dynamic pricing on award flights, I find redeeming Delta SkyMiles for Delta flights to be pretty straightforward thanks to Delta's helpful award calendar. If your dates are flexible, you can use the calendar to price the cheapest award flights.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you have the flexibility, you’d be better off saving your Delta miles for one of the carrier’s frequent award deals. I frequently visit the Orlando theme parks, so I regularly check for available deals and often see pricing as low as 10,400 miles round-trip (plus taxes and fees) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) from my home airport.
You can also use your SkyMiles to fly on international SkyTeam partner airlines such as Air France and Korean Air, as well as select nonalliance partners like WestJet.
You can redeem Delta SkyMiles for many things other than flights (including premium alcoholic beverages in Sky Clubs as well as hotels and rental cars), but the redemption value for these doesn't match what you get when redeeming for flights.
Downsides to consider about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex
With an annual fee of $650, you really need to do the math on whether you will get enough value out of this card beyond the first year. It makes sense for me because I regularly fly Delta and can utilize most of the benefits and statement credits.
It's also worth noting that earning 1 mile per dollar spent is not the most impressive earning rate for everyday spending. If you want a card that earns more than 1 mile or point per dollar spent across all nonbonus category purchases, consider another option.
Lastly, if you don't enjoy tracking monthly statement credits, this may not be the best card for you. If you don't take advantage of the credits offered by this card, you're leaving money on the table that could otherwise help offset the cost of the hefty annual fee.
New applicants can earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases (for a total of $9,000) in the first six months of card membership.
Per TPG's valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,500.
Other cards to consider if you don't want the Delta Reserve Amex
Most cardmembers carry it for two reasons: Delta Sky Club access and an extra boost toward earning Delta elite status. When it comes to these perks, the Delta Reserve Amex has three primary competitors:
If you want a lower annual fee: Try the , which also offers two free checked bags (the first bag is free worldwide and the second bag on domestic U.S. flights) and priority boarding. It has a lower annual fee of $350 (see rates and fees), which may be easier to justify for some consumers. To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Platinum Amex.
If you’re eligible for a business card: You might prefer the . This way, you can easily separate your personal and business expenses while still enjoying similar travel perks, such as lounge access and an annual companion certificate. To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Reserve Business Amex card.
As a frequent Delta flyer, I recommend the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex over other cards in the cobranded Delta Amex suite. This is because of the solid lounge access, discount on award bookings, free checked bags and annual companion certificate. These benefits are especially valuable for parents who frequently travel with their children.
These benefits make flying with Delta stress-free and enjoyable, especially when I receive a coveted first-class upgrade. The perks this card offers, and the value I extract from them, have made this the only airline card in my wallet.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, click here.
