Delta flyers should know about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, which is a must-have for frequent Delta pilots. Perks include Delta Sky Club lounge access, free checked bags and an annual companion certificate. ************** 1-2**, **Card rating*.

*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

Although the Delta Reserve has a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), benefits are well on the way toward offsetting that cost. A companion certificate alone is a valuable annual companion, and can be more than the annual fee.

Cardholders also get complimentary lounge access, a first checked bag free, priority upgrades and more.

THE POINTS GUY

When I travel, these advantages make me feel like a cardmember and Delta flyer. My flight is more comfortable, I’m sure I like a quick trip through airport security before heading to lid. Most of my flights are upgraded to the premium cabin and it will be easier for me to travel in an air-conditioned cabin.

Related: Why the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is one of the best cards in my wallet

It is not the highest earning card in the world, but if you want to earn Delta elite status, it’s worth spending some money on this card.

TPG recommends a good to excellent credit score to increase the chances of being approved.

Now let’s look at the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex and its advantages to help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex pros and cons

| Pros | Cons |
| — | — |
| * Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta * Annual companion ticket * Upgrade clearance priority * Ability to earn elite status through spending * Monthly and yearly statement credits | * High annual fee * Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories * High spending requirement to earn unlimited Sky Club access |

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex benefits

The Delta Reserve Amex 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.

On a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta–operated flight, the annual visits to Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders are 15 annually visited by Delta sky Club lounges (with an annual visit limit of $75,000 in yearly calendar year). When I forget the number of visits I’ve had, it is a simple way to check online or in the Fly Delta app.

A Delta partner airline flight not marketed or operated by Delta, which is traveling on a trip to Sky Club (not owned and operated) can cost cardmembers $50 per person per location for access. Once a cardmember has used all 15 complimentary trips they have to pay $50 per visit to get into ‘Ty Clubs’ after visiting the club for an additional 15 free visits.

Delta Sky Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

If you fly Delta with a ticket purchased on u.s. U.S.-U.N. Express Centurion Lounges, the Delta Reserve Amex will also offer you unlimited free visits to American Express Club Lounge’s as well as your own complimentary visit? S S. American Express card issued with – a . You can bring up to two guests into the Centurion Lounge with you for $50 per person per place (or $30 per visit for children aged two to 17).

We all know airport lounges get busy. It’s a great thing to love that the Delta Reserve Amex gives me options so I still have somewhere to grab if one lounge is full and bite to eat even though it has been at capacity.

Similarly, cardmembers also receive four one-time Sky Club guest passes upon account opening and each year upon the renewal of accounts. I travel with my family and this is a great help for s.

If you use your guest passes, you can pay $50 per person per place to bring up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) with you into the Sky Club. grab, and go sky club sites for $25 per visit from guests.

Annual companion certificate

Cardmembers are issued a companion certificate each year after their account anniversary. This companion certificate holds one round-trip ticket to destinations in the U.S, and is valid for a round trip ticket with destination approval. S, meanwhile. When buying one adult round-trip ticket (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean in first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin for a companion.

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

You can save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year, especially if you fly first class depending on what you redeem your companion ticket for. Then, I used my companion pass to cover the ticket for my son’s flight on our positioning flights before a trip to Paris. That influenced 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 make 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $10 spent, with no limit on how many MQDs you can earn through card spending. You’ll also get 2,500 MQDs at the beginning of each Medallion Qualification Year.

Only 5,000 MQDs are required to become Silver Medallion. Generally I fly Delta less than 10 times per year, but still maintain Silver Medallion status. Flying a lot less often than that or focus your attention on this card would be enough to reach Gold Medallion without too much work.

Related: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta

Preflight and inflight benefits

In the air and during your trips, it’s more comfortable The Delta Reserve Amex offers a number of advantages that make you at the airport better than in the Air “The benefits are good for those who travel to” (the delta reserve amex is also known as an airliner), while on board; when they fly.

• First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions
• Zone 5 Priority boarding
• 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights
• 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases

Statement credits

The Delta Reserve Amex extends several other great travel-related perks, including:

• Up to $240 annual Resy statement credit (up to $20 per month) for use at U.S. Resy restaurants
• Up to $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year on eligible stays
• Up to $120 monthly ride-hailing statement credit (up to $10 per month) with eligible U.S. providers
  This is up to $120 statement credit (for Global Entry every four years), or as high as $85 for TSA PreCheck every 412 years, according to .

(Enrollment is required for these benefits).

Cardholders will additionally enjoy no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) when using their card abroad.

SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

When you use your card for some purchases, the Delta Reserve Amex also provides extensive shopping and travel protections. In addition to the free Hertz President’s Circle status, (Terms and exclusions apply), on top of his term-free membership in The Free Press.

Related: How to maximize the new statement credits on the Delta Amex cards

How to earn and use your rewards

With the Delta Reserve Amex, cardholders can earn:

• 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 November 2025 valuations of Delta miles at 1. For example, if you’ll only get a 3 cents each, 25 cent. Delta buys 75% return and 1-1 . A quarter return on everything else except . As I have mentioned above, this card is not worth it if used to spend everyday life. Instead, I use it only to the extent that it helps me become a elite and enjoy its benefits.

But even though Delta’s dynamic pricing on award flights is a bit of annoyance, I think redeeming Delta SkyMiles for delta flights seems pretty straightforward thanks to Delta’s helpful award calendar. But if your dates are flexible, you can use the calendar to price the cheapest award flights.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

With the flexibility, you’d save your Delta miles for one of the carrier’s frequent award deals. The theme parks in Orlando often attract visitors so I look at the deals and sometimes see prices as low as 10,400 miles (plus taxes and fees) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) from my home airport.

You can also fly on international SkyTeam partner airlines like Air France and Korean Air, as well as select nonalliance partners such as WestJet.

Many things other than flights, you can redeem Delta SkyMiles for from premium alcohol drinks in Sky Clubs to hotels and rental cars; but the redemption value for these doesn’t match what you get when applying for flights.

Related: Short on Delta SkyMiles? Try Miles Headstart

Downsides to consider about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

You really have to do the math on whether you will get enough value out of this card after the first year with an annual fee of $650. It makes sense for me because I fly Delta regularly and can use most of the benefits and statement credits.

And it’s also a good thing to note that making 1 mile per dollar is not the most impressive earning rate for everyday use. If you want a card that earns over 1 mile or point per dollar for every nonbonus category purchase, think again.

Last night if you’re not someone who loves tracking monthly statement credits, this may be the best card for you. When you’re not using this card’s credits, you are leaving money on the table that could otherwise offset cost of hefty annual fee.

When to apply for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

With $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, New Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers can earn 70,000 bonus SkyMiles. TPG’s November 2025 valuations of 1-1 value that bonus is $875. A delta skymile – 25 cents per .

This is far from the highest welcome offer we’ve ever received based on this card’s history of welcome offers. If you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, it was 125,000 bonus miles that were the best-ever offer. The bonus is more than 90,000 miles and we recommend waiting to apply for this card.

Some applicants may not be eligible for this welcome offer due to Amex’s one-bonus-per-card-per-lifetime rule.

Related: What credit score do you need to get Delta SkyMiles American Express cards?

Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Delta Reserve Amex

The majority of Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers carry it for two reasons Delta Sky Club access and an additional boost toward earning delta elite status. In terms of these perks, the Delta Reserve Amex has three main competitors The delta reserve amex is one of its three major competitors.

• If you want stronger earnings rates: The

American Express Platinum Card®

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers a higher rate of return on flights that it provides in the form of Membership Rewards points. Alternatively you can book through Amex Travel with points, or apply membership rewards cards directly to Delta SkyMiles at a 11 ratio. Read our review of Amex Platinum full-time for more to know about .

• If you want a lower annual fee: Try the

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

– which provides a free first checked bag and priority boarding. The annual fee for s also is lower (see rates and fees), which may be easier to justify in some consumers. Read our review of Delta Platinum Amex full-time for more to know about .

• If you’re eligible for a business card: You might prefer the

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

In this way, you can easily separate your personal and business costs while still enjoying similar travel amenities like lounge access or an annual companion certificate. Read our full review of the Delta Reserve Business Amex card for more information.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve

Bottom line

I am a frequent Delta flyer, so 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 bag and annual companion certificate – ideal for parents who travel often with their children. They help fly with Delta stress-free and fun, especially when I get a sought after first class upgrade. The benefits of this card and the value I extract from it have made it the only airline card in my wallet to be a single airline.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve

For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here

For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, click here

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