Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex card review: Delta’s top-tier credit card
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Editor's Note
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card overview
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides a bevy of great perks when flying on Delta, as well as the ability to earn elite status through spending on the card. It's best suited for frequent flyers who want Delta-specific perks, including lounge access (subject to limitations starting Feb. 1, 2025), a boost toward elite status and a companion certificate after each account anniversary. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
While the Delta Reserve has a hefty $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), it offers many helpful benefits to offset that price tag and can offer lots of value to Delta loyalists.
This card has a recommended credit score of at least 670.
Here is a closer look at the Delta Reserve Amex and its benefits so you can decide whether it's the right card for you.
Delta Reserve Amex pros and cons
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Delta Reserve Amex welcome offer
The Delta Reserve Amex offers new cardmembers the ability to earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
TPG's December 2024 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, making these miles worth $840.
Some applicants won't be eligible for this welcome offer. Specifically, due to Amex's one-bonus-per-card-per-lifetime rule, you typically won't qualify if you currently have this card or have had previous versions.
Amex may also consider the number of American Express cards you've opened and closed, whether you've held another card in the Delta family and other factors when determining your eligibility for this welcome offer.
Thankfully, Amex will tell you if you aren't eligible for the welcome offer after submitting your application but before Amex pulls your credit. So, if you're hoping to snag the welcome bonus, pay attention to any messages or warnings that show up after you apply.
Related: What credit score do you need to get Delta SkyMiles cards?
Delta Reserve Amex benefits
The Delta Reserve Amex offers several useful perks for frequent Delta flyers. Enrollment may be required for select benefits, and terms apply.
Lounge access
Currently, with the Delta Reserve Amex, primary and additional cardmembers get unlimited access to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
One TPG reader listed lounge access as one of the best perks on the Delta Reserve Amex, saying it helps justify the card's high annual fee:
"Reduced mileage awards, companion pass, preferred boarding, lounge access* and guest passes. The fee pays for itself if you use the lounge a few times each year." — Milos K via Facebook
Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG's opinions of these cards.
Starting in February 2025, that will change to 15 free annual visits, with unlimited annual visits after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
Cardmembers can also pay a fee of $50 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.
The Delta Reserve Amex will also get you into American Express Centurion Lounges for free 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.
Cardmembers also get four one-time Sky Club guest passes upon account opening and each year upon account renewal. 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 enter Grab and Go Sky Club locations for $25 per person per visit.
Annual companion certificate
Another major benefit of the Delta Reserve Amex is the companion certificate cardmembers receive each year after their account anniversary. The companion certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket in first class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin for a companion when you purchase one adult round-trip ticket.
It can be used for travel to all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Central America and the Caribbean.
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.
Elite status qualification
Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) for every $10 spent, with no limit on how many MQDs you can earn through credit card spending.
You'll also receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each year.
Related: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta
Other perks
The Delta Reserve Amex extends several other great travel-related perks, including:
- Complimentary Hertz President's Circle status
- An annual up to $240 Resy statement credit every calendar year (up to $20 monthly) at U.S. Resy restaurants
- An annual up to $120 ride-hailing statement credit each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) with eligible U.S. providers
- An up to $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year
- First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions
- Priority boarding
- 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights
- 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases
- $120 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
The Delta Reserve Amex also includes extensive shopping protections and travel coverage when you use your card for certain purchases. Terms and exclusions apply.
Related: How to maximize statement credits on the Delta Amex cards
Earning miles on the Delta Reserve Amex
As you might assume from its name, the Delta Reserve Amex earns Delta SkyMiles as follows when you make eligible purchases with the card:
- 3 miles per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with Delta
- 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
But even with 3 miles per dollar on airfare, you may not want to spend much on the Delta Reserve Amex after you've earned the welcome bonus because, based on TPG's December 2024 valuation 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.
You can do better, especially if you consider other American Express cards that earn Membership Rewards points that you can transfer to Delta.
Related: 4 reasons why the Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta flyers
Redeeming miles on the Delta Reserve Amex
Delta's dynamic pricing can make it frustrating to redeem Delta SkyMiles. Although the effects of variable pricing can be mild in some cases, finding the best redemption can be challenging, especially when considering long-haul or premium bookings.
When you start talking about premium-cabin awards, prices can skyrocket. When booking through other loyalty programs, you can do better than these one-way awards between LAX and London Heathrow (LHR).
If you have the flexibility to do so, you'd be better off saving your Delta miles for one of the carrier's frequent flash award sales. In the past, we've seen deals for domestic awards from 2,000 SkyMiles each way and New York to Bogota, Colombia, in business class from 12,000 SkyMiles each way.
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, too — including premium alcoholic beverages in Sky Clubs as well as hotels and rental cars. However, note that some redemption options provide relatively low value.
Related: Short on Delta SkyMiles? Try Miles Headstart
Which cards compete with the Delta Reserve Amex?
Most Delta Reserve Amex 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 stronger earnings rates: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) purchased through American Express Travel or directly with the airline (a 10% return based on TPG's December 2024 valuations). You can still transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
- If you want a lower annual fee: Try the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, offering a first checked bag free and priority boarding. It also 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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. It has a lot of similarities to the consumer version but with the option to (obviously) put your business expenses on the card and potentially rack up more miles. To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Reserve Business Amex card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Bottom line
This card is best for Delta loyalists who want complimentary Delta Sky Club access and elitelike benefits when flying Delta or redeeming miles. If you fit that bill, this card could be worth it, even in light of the restrictions coming to Sky Club access in February 2025.
However, if you don't need a ton of Delta-specific perks and want to maximize your earnings, you're better off with a card that earns transferable points, such as the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Related: Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here
For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, click here