Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $650
• APR: 19.99%–28.99% variable
• Rewards: 3X miles on Delta, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 125,000 bonus miles after $6,000 spend in first 6 months
• Best For: Elite Delta flyers seeking Sky Club access and maximum benefits
• Credit Needed: Excellent (740+)

Overview

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the ultimate card for dedicated Delta travelers who fly frequently and value premium airport experiences. With 15 complimentary Sky Club visits per year (unlimited after $75,000 spend), Centurion Lounge access, companion certificates, and $360 in annual credits, this card transforms every Delta journey into a first-class experience.

Built for frequent Delta flyers who prioritize comfort and convenience, the Reserve card delivers unparalleled access to airport lounges, accelerated Medallion Status qualification through MQDs, and premium earning rates on Delta purchases. While the $650 annual fee is substantial, the Sky Club access alone can justify this cost for travelers who fly Delta monthly or more frequently.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.99%–28.99% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.99%–28.99% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 19.99%–28.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: This premium card is designed for frequent travelers who pay in full monthly.

Benefits Overview

Premium Travel Benefits

• 15 Sky Club Visits Annually: Complimentary Delta Sky Club access (unlimited after $75,000 annual spend)
• Centurion Lounge Access: Complimentary access to Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta
• Annual Companion Certificate: Receive a certificate each year for a domestic round-trip companion ticket (taxes/fees apply)
• Free First Checked Bag: Save $35 per bag per person on domestic Delta flights (up to 9 passengers)
• Priority Boarding: Board in Main Cabin 1 on all Delta flights
• $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs): Receive MQDs annually after renewal, plus earn MQDs on purchases
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges

Premium Credits

• $240 Resy Credit: $20 monthly credit for Resy purchases ($240 annually)
• $120 Rideshare Credit: $10 monthly credit for Lyft or Uber purchases ($120 annually)
• Total Annual Credits: $360

Travel Protections

• Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage for qualified delays
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Comprehensive protection for qualified trip disruptions
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Primary coverage worldwide
• Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $500,000 coverage
• Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency assistance

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Free Employee Cards: Add authorized users at no cost

Lifestyle Benefits

• 20% In-Flight Savings: On eligible Delta in-flight purchases
• Amex Experiences: Access to exclusive events, concerts, and experiences
• Concierge Service: 24/7 personal concierge for travel planning and reservations

Rewards & Points

• 3X SkyMiles on Delta purchases
• 1X mile on all other purchases

Redemption Options:

• Book Delta award flights starting at 6,500 miles one-way for domestic travel
• Premium cabin international flights for business and first class
• Upgrade to Comfort+ or First Class using miles
• Book Delta Vacations packages with miles
• Redeem for SkyTeam partner airlines
• Donate miles to charitable causes
• Transfer miles to other SkyMiles members (fees apply)

Miles never expire as long as you have activity in your SkyMiles account every 24 months.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 125,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 125,000 SkyMiles is typically worth $1,250–$2,000+ in Delta award flights, with exceptional value when redeemed for premium cabin international flights. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $650
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of transferred amount (minimum $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% of cash advance amount (minimum $10)
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent Delta flyers who fly 8+ times per year
• Business travelers who spend hours in airports and value lounge access
• Medallion Status seekers leveraging MQDs for faster qualification
• Couples and families maximizing companion certificate value
• Airport lounge enthusiasts who prioritize Sky Club access
• High spenders who can reach $75,000 for unlimited Sky Club visits
• Premium cabin travelers who maximize 3X earning on expensive Delta tickets
• International travelers who benefit from comprehensive travel protections

Not Good For

• Casual Delta flyers (less than 6 flights per year)
• Budget travelers who can't justify the $650 annual fee
• Those who don't value lounge access (primary benefit)
• Non-Delta flyers who prefer airline flexibility
• Solo travelers on a budget who don't use companion certificates
• Those who don't use Resy or rideshare apps regularly
• Light spenders who won't reach spending thresholds
• Balance carriers (extremely high APR)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• 15 Sky Club visits per year (unlimited after $75,000 spend) worth $500–$900+
• Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta adds exceptional value
• $360 in annual credits ($240 Resy + $120 rideshare) reduces effective fee to $290
• Companion certificate can save $300–$600 on domestic flights
• $2,500 MQDs annually accelerates Medallion Status achievement
• Free checked bags save $70+ per round-trip for couples
• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit saves $100 every 4 years
• Primary car rental insurance (better than secondary coverage)
• 125,000-mile welcome bonus is substantial
• Premium travel protections with higher coverage limits
• 24/7 concierge service for travel planning

Cons

• $650 annual fee is very high and requires maximum utilization
• 3X earning only on Delta (1X on everything else is weak)
• Sky Club visits are limited to 15 unless you spend $75,000
• Companion certificate has restrictions and blackout dates
• Companion certificate taxes/fees typically cost $75–$150
• Credits require specific merchants (Resy, Lyft/Uber)
• $75,000 spending threshold for unlimited Sky Club is very high
• SkyMiles are tied to Delta only (no transfer partners)
• Not ideal for those who value flexible airline redemptions
• APR is very high if you carry a balance

Alternatives to Consider

Card	Best For	Annual Fee	Rewards	Credit Needed
The Platinum Card® from Amex	Multi-airline lounge access	$895	5X flights/hotels, all lounges	Excellent
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Premium flexible travel rewards	$550	3X dining/travel, transfer partners	Excellent
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex	Mid-tier Delta benefits	$350	3X Delta/hotels, companion cert	Good+
Capital One Venture X Rewards	Premium all-around travel	$395	2X everything, lounge access	Excellent

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $50,000 per year on typical expenses:

Category	Annual Spend	Reward Rate	Miles Earned
Delta flights	$12,000	3X	36,000
Other purchases	$38,000	1X	38,000
Total Miles	$50,000	—	74,000

Benefits Value:

• 15 Sky Club visits: $540 (at $36/visit)
• Centurion Lounge access: $200+ value
• Companion certificate: $350–$500
• $2,500 MQDs toward status: ~$250 value
• Free checked bags (10 round-trips): $700
• Resy credits: $240
• Rideshare credits: $120
• TSA PreCheck (amortized): $25/year
• Priority boarding: ~$200 value
• 20% in-flight savings: ~$100
• Total Benefits: ~$2,725–$2,875

Net Annual Fee: $650 - $2,725 in benefits = effectively -$2,075 (significant profit if you maximize all benefits)

Total Value: 74,000 SkyMiles (worth $740–$1,100 in Delta flights) + $2,725 in benefits = $3,465–$3,825 in total value, minus $650 annual fee = $2,815–$3,175 net value.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly Delta 8+ times per year and value airport lounge access
• You spend multiple hours in airports and benefit from Sky Club visits
• You regularly travel with a companion who can use the certificate
• You frequently check bags on Delta flights
• You use Resy and rideshare services regularly
• You're pursuing Delta Medallion Status and value the MQDs boost
• You can spend $75,000+ annually for unlimited Sky Club access
• You want Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
• You book expensive Delta tickets and maximize 3X earning
• You travel internationally and value comprehensive protections

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly Delta less than 6 times per year
• You don't value airport lounge access highly
• You can't justify the $650 annual fee with your travel patterns
• You don't use Resy or rideshare apps ($360 value lost)
• You prefer airline flexibility over Delta loyalty
• You travel solo on a budget and won't use companion certificates
• You only travel with carry-on bags
• You want strong earning rates on everyday spending (only 1X)
• You prefer transferable points over airline-specific miles
• You carry balances month-to-month (very high APR)

Apply Now

Apply for Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

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Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.