Should I Upgrade from Gold Delta Amex to Delta Reserve Card?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
TPG reader Rob sent me this question on Facebook:
"I'm currently a Delta Diamond Medallion member with a Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. I'm trying to determine whether upgrading to the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express is worth the additional $350. I've asked dozens of people and received as many different opinions. What do you think?"
My answer to this question really depends on how much you spend. You should also consider the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, which is kind of an in-between card that doesn't come with lounge access, but still allows you to earn elite miles and has a much lower annual fee.
If you fly Delta, you might be noticing that complimentary upgrades are becoming harder and harder to get. So one benefit of the Delta Reserve is that it acts as a trump card of sorts, so if you're tied for an upgrade with another Medallion member, the Delta Reserve cardholder will get the upgrade first, so having this card may get you a few extra upgrades. The card also comes with lounge access, which you might appreciate if you're a frequent traveler.
You also have the option of earning more Elite qualifying miles if you hit spending thresholds:
- The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express allows you to earn 10,000 bonus SkyMiles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000, and another 10,000 bonus SkyMiles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000.
- The Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express allows you to earn 15,000 bonus SkyMiles and 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000, and an additional 15,000 bonus SkyMiles and 15,000 MQMs after spending $60,000.
Looking at the price of the Delta SkyClub alone, the $450 annual fee is worth it if you value lounge access. Plus, you get other perks like the companion ticket, which can help pay for the annual fee:
- With the Platinum card, you'll receive a domestic Main Cabin Companion Certificate each year upon renewal.
- With the Reserve card, you'll receive a domestic First Class or Main Cabin Companion Certificate each year upon renewal.
The Delta Reserve® card is similar to The Platinum Card® from American Express because it's all about perks. If you really value lounge access, you may even want to consider the Amex Platinum instead, because you also get access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and access to Membership Rewards, which allows you to transfer to not only to Delta, but also about 20 other partners. The key difference is that with the Amex Platinum, you won't get those MQMs or the Companion ticket. That's the trade-off.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook, or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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.