Why the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is one of the best cards in my wallet
Editor's Note
My foray into the world of credit cards, points and miles began when I joined TPG a few years ago. I had a couple of cards before working here, but I didn't give much thought to which card to use or when or how to maximize the benefits.
Now that I am surrounded by credit card experts every day, my strategy has changed drastically. I've added about four new cards to my wallet and even made a spreadsheet to ensure I use the right card for the right purchases.
Of those new cards, my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has provided some of the most useful benefits. And if you apply right now, you are eligible for this card's highest offer ever.
Here are five reasons I love this card and how I get the most out of it.
Perks when flying Delta
I actually hadn't stepped foot into an airport lounge until I began working at TPG, but this card comes with complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges and American Express Centurion Lounges* when traveling on a same-day, Delta-operated or -marketed flight. Now, I get to visit a lounge almost every time I fly.
*You must purchase your flight with your Reserve card for Centurion Lounge access.
Having a quiet space to work or rest during a layover is a game changer. Or, if I am being a responsible adult and get to the airport early, I can grab a bite to eat or a drink before my flight without paying the high airport prices.
With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I also get four one-time Sky Club guest passes each year upon account renewal, allowing me to bring family members or friends to the lounge with me when we travel together.
Delta Reserve cardmembers are limited to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year), but it's easy for me to track my visits in the Delta app. Centurion Lounge visits are unlimited (must purchase your Delta flight with your Reserve card), so even if I were to use all 15 of my Sky Club visits, I could still head over there.
In addition to lounge access, I get my first checked bag free (this extends to up to eight passengers traveling with me, so it's a huge perk when traveling with my husband and three kids), priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases and award redemptions. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve also provides a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($120 every 4 years with Global Entry or up to $85 every 4½ years with TSA PreCheck), so I can breeze through the airport every time I fly.
Welcome offer
Right now, the Delta Reserve Amex offers new cardmembers the ability to 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 in the first six months of card membership.
Per TPG's October 2025 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.25 cents each, making this bonus worth up to $1,563. The card comes with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).
After earning the bonus, I redeemed some miles to book positioning flights for my first big award redemption trip to Belgium and Germany with my husband.
A few months later, I also used some of the points to bring my family along on a work trip to Disneyland. The cost of flights when all five of us fly together can add up quickly. The welcome bonus I earned with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a huge help in keeping our flight expenses down so we could splurge a bit during our travels.
Useful statement credits
Last year, Delta added monthly and annual statement credits on its cobranded cards, including the Delta Reserve Amex. I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of tracking statement credits, but I want to maximize my card's value, so I try my best to plug them all into a spreadsheet and keep it up to date.
The easiest to use is up to $10 in monthly ride-hailing statement credits. There isn't a month that goes by that I don't use Lyft or Uber at least once. (Credit valid on select ride-hailing services in the U.S.; enrollment required.)
My card also comes with up to $200 in Delta Stays credits each year. My husband travels almost weekly for work, so we have several opportunities to use this credit on one of his eligible hotel stays. All he has to do is book through the Delta Stays website and pay with the Delta Reserve Amex to earn this benefit.
Related: How I get this monthly credit on my Delta Amex without even trying
This card also earns me up to $20 in monthly statement credits for use at U.S. Resy restaurants (enrollment required). There aren't a ton of eligible restaurants in my area, so I don't always remember to use this one. However, I have gotten creative by purchasing gift cards to eligible restaurants and checking for eligible dining locations when I travel. Most months, I find a way to use it, even if it takes a bit of virtual legwork on my end.
Flexible award redemptions
When I've searched for Delta SkyMiles redemptions, I've been impressed with my options. You can redeem SkyMiles for Delta flights (as I've done) and for flights on partner airlines like Air France, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. This opens up a ton of flight choices.
I also like how Delta displays its award pricing. In the above example, I entered flexible dates in November for a round-trip flight between my home airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
In addition to viewing the prices for my dates, Delta displays pricing for alternate date combinations. You can get an even better redemption value if your dates are flexible. Some airlines make finding the best award availability difficult, so I appreciate Delta's easy-to-use calendar.
My card also gives me a 15% discount on award flights, allowing me to stretch my miles even further.
Annual companion certificate
With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I get an annual companion certificate added to my account each year after my anniversary date. The companion certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket within the U.S. (all 50 states) as well as to destinations in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
When you purchase a round-trip first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin ticket, you can use the certificate to have a companion fly with you for free. You only have to pay the taxes and fees on the second ticket.
I used my first companion certificate to get my oldest son and me to New York before flying to Paris. This year, I used it to fly my husband with me to Disney World for a runDisney race.
Bottom line
Applying for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a no-brainer for someone still relatively new to points and miles. While not the most lucrative points earner, the earning structure is simple. But that's not the real reason I love this card.
As someone who often flies Delta, the perks like lounge access, a free checked bag and an annual companion certificate are unmatched.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Reserve.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve please click here.
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees