Our Verdict
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) is a premium co-branded Delta Air Lines card. This card is useful to passengers who fly with Delta Air Lines often and will make good use of the complimentary lounge access, including Delta Sky Clubs (when flying with the airline; access will change effective February 2025, see details below) and American Express Centurion Lounges.
However, because the card doesn’t earn any bonus miles outside of Delta spending, it’s not great for everyday purchases. If you’re a Delta loyalist who enjoys lounge access, this card could be a solid option.
Pros
- Elite status is possible through high spending
- Lounge access for Delta flyers
- Credits can help offset the annual fee
Cons
- No bonus categories apart from Delta purchases
- Lounge access is limited starting in 2025
- Monthly credits might be hard to use
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Current Offers
- Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Alternatives to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Table of Contents
- Introducing the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Fine Print
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Quick Facts
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Benefits
- How to Maximize Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Rewards
- How the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Stacks Up
- Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card for You?
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Introducing the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides card members with complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs (comparable membership is worth $695 per year) in conjunction with a same-day Delta boarding pass (excluding basic economy). You also receive four one-time passes annually so you can invite guests to join you in the lounge for free.
Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card also receive an annual Companion Certificate that can be applied to First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin tickets. If maximized, this benefit could be worth far more than the card’s annual fee. Other benefits include a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry enrollment credit, up to $240 annual Resy credits (issued in $20 monthly increments), up to $120 in rideshare credits (issued in $10 monthly increments), up to $200 in annual Delta Stays credits as well as other Delta perks, such as free checked bags and in-flight credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2025, Reserve cardholders will only receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year unless they spend $75,000 on the card during the calendar year. Once all 15 visits have been used, eligible card members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club visits at a per-visit rate of $50 per person using the card. Fortunately, Sky Clubs aren’t the only lounges the card provides access to. Another perk is complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying on a same-day Delta ticket paid for with the Reserve card. There’s no complimentary guest access, but up to two guests with Delta-issued tickets can join the primary cardholder for $50 per person.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Fine Print
Interest Rates
- Regular APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
- Purchase intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfer intro APR: N/A
Fees
- Annual fee: $650
- Balance transfer fee: N/A
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: None
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Quick Facts
- $650 annual fee
- Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn a 2,500 MQD head start every year and earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit
- Save 20% on eligible in-flight Delta purchases with your card—savings are issued as a statement credit.
- Check the first bag for free for up to nine passengers booked on the same Delta reservation
- Monthly credits for rideshare and Resy (enrollment required)
- $200 annual hotel credit for Delta Stays
- Hertz President’s Circle membership (enrollment required)
- Priority boarding on Delta aircraft in the Zone 5 group
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Rewards
Earning Rewards
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Note that as of January 2024, Delta eliminated Medallion Qualifying Miles and made Medallion Qualifying Dollars its only qualifier for Medallion Status. Members have the option to convert MQM Rollover balances to MQDs or miles.
Every year, Delta Reserve card members get a 2,500 MQD boost to aid in your quest to reach the next elite rung. You’ll also earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on your card, so if you’re a big spender on this card, it’ll be even easier to move up to Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion and beyond.
Redeeming Rewards
Delta’s SkyMiles program isn’t what one would call foolproof. Since the airline stopped publishing award charts on its website, it’s hard to tell how many SkyMiles an award ticket should cost. To rub salt into the wound, Delta implemented dynamic pricing on award tickets, which means that award flights now price out according to demand. You guessed it—more desirable flights cost more miles.
With some diligence you can find round-trip flights in the U.S. for 10,000 miles or fewer and round-trip flights to Europe in economy under 60,000 miles. To get a better deal, keep checking the SkyMiles Deals page every now and then to stay current on the latest award ticket sales. Sales are intermittent but worth watching.
SkyMiles don’t have to be redeemed on Delta flights only. Flights on most other SkyTeam alliance members can be booked with SkyMiles, and Delta has other nonalliance partners. Other airlines bookable with SkyMiles include:
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France-KLM
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Cape Air
- China Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Southern
- Czech Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Kenya Airways
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Mandarin Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudi Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Tarom Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
- Xiamen Airlines
Rewards Potential
Forbes Advisor uses data from various government agencies to determine both baseline income and spending averages across various categories. The 70th percentile of wage earners brings in $118,438 annually, and can reasonably spend $39,337 on a credit card. We base spending on these numbers.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Rewards Potential
| Category | Earning Rate | Estimated Annual Spend | Estimated Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfare | 3X | $1,540 | 4,620 SkyMiles |
| All Other Purchases | 1X | $37,797 | 37,797 SkyMiles |
| Total: 42,417 SkyMiles |
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Benefits
- Sky Club membership. The primary cardholder gets access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying on Delta Air Lines. Four one-time guest passes are included annually. After that, you can pay for up to two guests per visit at a rate of $50 per person. Beginning February 1, 2025, Reserve cardholders will receive 15 club visits per year unless they meet a $75,000 minimum spending threshold each calendar year. Once all 15 visits have been used, eligible card members may purchase additional visits at a per-visit rate of $50 per person using the card.
- Centurion Lounge access. A card member can visit any Centurion Lounge location as long as they are flying Delta. Up to two guests are allowed at a rate of $50 per person.
- Annual companion ticket. Buy one flight within the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America in the following cabins of service: first class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin, and get a companion’s fare for free. Be aware that you will be on the hook for taxes and fees for the second ticket.
- Free first checked bag. Check a bag for free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation on a Delta flight and save $35 per bag.
- Priority boarding. The cardholder and up to eight additional travelers on the same reservation can board with the Zone 5 group.
- $240 annual Resy credit. Earn up to a $20 monthly statement credit for purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required.
- $120 annual rideshare credit. When using your Reserve card, you’ll get up to a $10 monthly statement credit back for rides to the airport or around town each month. Enrollment required.
- $200 Delta Stays credit. When you book a prepaid hotel stay or vacation rental, receive up to a $200 statement credit each year by booking through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit. Receive a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
- 20% statement credit on in-flight purchases. Receive 20% back as a statement credit when using your co-branded Delta card for in-flight snacks, drinks or entertainment.
- TakeOff 15. Get 15% off any Delta award bookings with miles when using Delta.com or the Fly Delta app.
How to Maximize Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Rewards
Keep an Eye on Delta SkyMiles Award Deals
One of the best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles is during an airfare sale. The SkyMiles award deals page is updated periodically and includes deals to various destinations from your hometown. The page lists promotional travel dates and award rates for multiple ticket types, including basic economy and main cabin.
To find a deal, simply scroll through the table and see whether one looks appealing. You can find round-trip fares from Salt Lake City, Utah to Los Angeles for 13,000 SkyMiles, Denver to Seattle for 15,000 SkyMiles and New York City to Nashville, Tennessee, for 16,000 SkyMiles.
Use the Delta Price Calendar
When searching for flights with SkyMiles, use the Price Calendar feature on the Delta website. It’ll show you five weeks of travel dates at a time and display the lowest rates in green. This approach works if you’re flexible with travel dates and can plan your trip around the best redemption rates.
For example, above is a four-day round trip from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas. Wednesday and Saturday departures have the lowest rates, just 17,000 SkyMiles for a round-trip flight. So, if a Saturday to Tuesday trip fits your schedule, you can score a good deal on a flight using Delta SkyMiles.
Book Round-Trip Itineraries Instead of One-Way Flights
Delta often prices out its flights at lower rates when you book a round-trip journey. This is especially true for international flights. Below are some examples of one-way flights from Los Angeles to Paris for 84,000 SkyMiles.
Compare these to round-trip travel below, which drops the total rate to 80,000 SkyMiles.
This isn’t always the case and some one-way itineraries are still priced at half the round-trip rate, but it’s worth comparing rates when searching for flights with Delta SkyMiles.
How the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Stacks Up
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Not sure which Delta SkyMiles card is right for you? If you’re not a continual globetrotter but still fly with Delta three to five times per year, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) might be a better fit.
For a $350 annual fee, you still get a Companion Certificate when you pay taxes and fees (although it’s limited to Main Cabin seats), a free checked bag when you fly Delta and Zone 5 boarding. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card also gives you a boost in spending in select categories. You’ll get 3 miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases compared to just 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases with the Reserve card.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express
For a different type of premium experience, look no further than The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees).
The card’s annual fee is $695, but you get enough perks to potentially justify that cost: Access to Delta Sky Clubs with a Delta ticket for the primary card member (effective 2/1/25, cardholders will receive 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year; unlimited visits can be earned when total purchases exceed $75,000 in 2024 and each calendar year thereafter), access to The Centurion Lounge locations with a ticket on any airline, as well as access to Priority Pass lounges once you enroll. You also get Gold status with Hilton Honors and Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).
You don’t receive Delta-specific benefits, such as free checked bags or priority boarding, but you do get a variety of travel credits, such as an up to $200 annual airline incidental statement credit on an eligible airline you can choose each year, up to $200 in hotel statement credits each on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (minimum two-night stay is required for Hotel Collection bookings), up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for eligible U.S. expenses when your card is connected to your Uber account and selected as the payment method ($15 per month, $35 in December) and up to $199 in credits toward a CLEAR® Plus membership to help make up for the annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
From the redemption standpoint, you’ll earn Membership Rewards®, which transfer to over a dozen airline programs, including Delta SkyMiles and three hotel programs. Terms and conditions apply to benefits. See the card application for more details.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card vs. American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) might just be a happy medium for those looking to earn flexible Membership Rewards points for a lower annual fee.
Although you don’t get lounge access with this card, you can earn rewards rapidly. Cardholders earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar beginning on 1/1/2025), 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel, 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases. That’s a similar earning rate for Delta flights as the Delta Reserve—and it extends to all airlines. Plus, you’ll outearn the Delta Reserve card on supermarket and dining purchases.
The points can be transferred to a number of airline partners including Delta SkyMiles and Delta’s partners Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. In some cases, the redemption rates for Delta flights booked through Flying Blue or Flying Club are lower than what you can find with Delta itself.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve for You?
Toni Perkins-Southam
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Robin Frankel
Credit Cards Writer
Becky Pokora
Credit Cards Writer
Frequent Delta Air Lines flyer who prioritize being productive while on the road will find the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a rewarding option. As long as you visit Delta Sky Clubs when you’re flying Delta and consistently make good use of the Companion Certificate every year, it’s not hard to come out ahead of the annual fee. But if you’re more of a casual Delta flyer, consider other options.
Credit Cards Lead Editor
Yeah it’s got an eye-watering annual fee, but Delta diehards will find that the perks more than make up for it. The annual companion certificate can be worth nearly as much as the fee, plus the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, the 15% discount on award flights, the status qualification boosts and the annual companion certificate are all highly valuable extras.
Credit Cards Writer
If you’re chasing elite status with Delta, the SkyMiles Reserve card’s MQD head start and boosts could be your magic weapon toward reaching Diamond status. But for anyone else, the seemingly great credits and perks come with a lot of fine print that could detract from its potential value.
Credit Cards Writer
Evaluate Credit Cards Side By Side
Methodology
Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors, including:
- Annual fees
- Delta earning rates
- Delta flight benefits
- Lounge Access when flying Delta or partner airlines
- Welcome bonus offers
- Ongoing earning rates
- Value of individual rewards
- Included travel or merchant credits
- Additional cardholder benefits
Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors come together to provide a star rating for each individual card.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.
Forbes Advisor Credit Cards Rewards Expert Becky Pokora contributed to this article.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I redeem Delta Reserve miles?
All Delta Reserve miles will be added to your Delta SkyMiles balance automatically, so they commingle with miles earned through other methods. From there, you can redeem miles for award flights by searching and booking through the Delta website or app.
How can you qualify for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card?
To qualify for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you should have a strong credit score, a history of on-time payments and a low debt-to-income ratio. You can estimate your odds of approval before applying by checking for prequalified offers on the American Express website.
Is the Delta Reserve Card a good first-time card?
If you’re considering applying for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card as a newbie to the points and miles hobby, it’s not the best starter card. In most cases, consumers who open a credit card for the first time don’t have a high credit score, and you need a good enough score to qualify for this card.
Additionally, the card’s high annual fee requires a bit of knowledge about how the Delta SkyMiles program works so you can redeem the miles for a decent value—something that might not be familiar as a novice rewards credit card user yet.
