Why the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is still 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 four 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 dramatically. I've added four new cards to my wallet and made a spreadsheet to track my rewards earnings and credit card perks.
Of those new cards, my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has provided some of the most useful benefits.
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 receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year) and 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 used 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 with Global Entry or up to $85 with TSA PreCheck, once every four years), so I can breeze through the airport every time I fly.
Welcome offer
Currently, the Delta Reserve Amex allows new cardmembers to find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Per TPG's April 2026 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents each, making this bonus worth up to $1,200. The card comes with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).
I redeemed some miles from the offer I earned (no longer available) 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 offer was a huge help in keeping our flight expenses down so we could splurge a bit during our travels.
Useful statement credits
In recent years, 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 (up to $120 annually). 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 to earn this benefit.
This card also earns me up to $20 in monthly statement credits for use at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $240 annually; 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.
Related: How I get this monthly credit on my Delta Amex without even trying
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 example below, I entered flexible dates in July 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 Delta-operated 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) and to destinations in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.
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. Last year, I used it to fly my husband to Disney World with me for a runDisney race. This year is still up in the air (so to speak).
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 miles 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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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.