Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Review: Full Details
Overview of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a host of great perks when flying Delta, as well as the ability to earn elite status through spending on the card. This card is best suited for frequent flyers who want Delta-specific perks, including lounge access (limited starting February 1, 2025), elite status boosts, and domestic companion certificates after each account anniversary. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Ranking Based on the opinions of TPG editors and not influenced by card issuers.
While the Delta Reserve has an annual fee of $650 (see prices and fees), it offers a lot of useful benefits to make up for that price tag and could be a great value for loyal Delta customers.
This card has a suggestion. credit score at least 670.
Here’s a closer look at the Delta Reserve Amex and its benefits so you can decide if this is the right card for you.
Pros and Cons of the Delta Reserve Amex
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Delta Reserve Amex Welcome Offer
For a limited time, Delta Amex Reserve offers new cardholders 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends October 23.
TPG September 2024 valuation pin Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents per mile, making these miles worth $1,200. This fits best welcome We saw on this card, with a slightly higher spend requirement and a longer time to meet that requirement.
Some candidates will not be accepted. qualify for this welcome offer. Specifically due to Amex’s policy of one reward per card for lifeYou will generally not be eligible if you currently have this card or had a previous version.
Amex may also consider the amount American Express you have opened and closed, whether you hold other cards in the Delta family, and other factors when determining whether you qualify for this welcome offer.
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Fortunately, Amex will let you know if you’re not eligible for the welcome offer after you apply but before Amex removes your credit, so if you’re hoping to get a welcome bonus, pay attention to any notices or warnings that appear after you apply.
Related: What credit score do you need to get the Delta SkyMiles card?
Benefits of the Delta Reserve Amex
The Delta Amex Reserve offers a number of useful benefits for Delta frequent flyers. Registration may be required for certain benefits and terms apply.
Lounge Access
Currently, with the Delta Reserve Amex, primary and supplementary card members enjoy unlimited access to Delta Sky Club Lounge when traveling on a same-day flight marketed or operated by Delta.
Starting in February 2025, the program will change to 15 free visits per year, with unlimited visits per year after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
Cardholders may also pay a $50 per person, per location fee to gain Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta partner airline flight that is not marketed or operated by Delta. After cardholders have used up their 15 free passes, they must pay $50 per pass to gain Sky Club access.
Delta Reserve Amex will help you too American Express Centurion Lounge free when flying Delta with a ticket purchased on a US-issued flight American Express. You can bring up to two guests into the Centurion Lounge for a fee of $50 per person per location.
Cardholders also receive four Sky Club passes once when they open their account and each year when they renew their account. 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) into the Sky Club with you. Guests can enter Grab and Go Sky Club locations for $25 per person per visit.
Annual Companionship Certificate
Another great benefit of the Delta Reserve Amex is Certificate of Companionship Cardholders receive each year after their account anniversary. The Companion Certificate is valid for one round-trip First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin ticket for one companion when you purchase one round-trip adult ticket.
Can be used for travel to all 50 US states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Central America and the Caribbean.
Depending on the purpose of the redemption, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, especially if you fly first class.
Excellent level
Delta Reserve Amex card members earn 1 Medal Qualifying Dollars (MQD) for every $10 spent, there is no limit to the amount of MQD you can earn through credit card spending.
You will also receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQD per year.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Upgrading on Delta
Other benefits
The Delta Amex Reserve Plus some great travel-related benefits, including:
Registration required to receive certain benefits; terms and conditions apply.
The Delta Reserve Amex also includes many shopping protection And travel insurance when you use your card for certain purchases. Terms and exclusions apply.
Related: How to Maximize Your New Statement Credit on Your Delta Amex Card
Earn Miles on Delta Reserve Amex
As you can assume from its name, Delta Amex Reserve earn Delta SkyMiles as follows when you make eligible purchases with your card:
- 3 miles per dollar on eligible purchases 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 September 2024 valuation At 1.2 cents/mile on Delta, you’ll only get 3.6% cash back on Delta purchases and 1.2% cash back on everything else.
You can do better, especially if you consider what other American Express cards earn. Membership Rewards Points which you can switch to Delta.
Related: 4 Reasons Why the Amex Platinum Could Be the Ideal Credit Card for Delta Passengers
Redeem Miles on Delta Reserve Amex
Delta’s Dynamic Pricing Can Make You Feel Uncomfortable redeem Delta SkyMiles. While the impact of price changes can be mild in some cases, figuring out the best way to change your ticket can be a challenge, especially when considering long-haul or premium class flights.
When you start talking about premium cabin awards, prices can skyrocket. Booking through other frequent flyer programs can get you more bang for your buck on these one-way awards between LAX and London Heathrow (LHR).
If you have the flexibility to do so, it’s worth saving your Delta miles for one of the airline’s frequent flash award sales. In the past, we’ve seen deals for domestic awards starting at 2,000 SkyMiles each way, and business class deals from New York to Bogota, Colombia starting at 12,000 SkyMiles each way.
You can also use your SkyMiles to fly on SkyTeam international partner airlines such as French air and Korean Air, as well as selected non-alliance partners such as WestJet.
You can also redeem Delta SkyMiles for a variety of things besides flights—including premium alcoholic beverages at Sky Clubs as well as hotels and rental cars. However, note that some redemption options are relatively low-value.
Former TPG employee Hannah Streck often uses his Delta SkyMiles to book award tickets and takes advantage of the 15% discount on Delta flights to increase his mileage accrual.
Related: Missing Delta SkyMiles? Try Headstart Miles
What cards compete with the Delta Reserve Amex?
Most of Delta Amex Reserve Cardholders carry it for two reasons: Delta Sky Club access and an added bonus Achieve Delta Elite StatusWhen it comes to these benefits, the Delta Reserve Amex has three main competitors:
For more options, see Complete list of best travel cards.
Related: Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve
The last line
This card is best for Delta loyalists who want free Delta Sky Club access and elite benefits when flying Delta or redeeming miles. If you fit that bill, This card might be worth iteven if there are restrictions on Sky Club access in February 2025.
However, if you don’t need many of the Delta-specific perks and want to maximize your earnings, then you should choose Transferable loyalty cardlike Amex Platinum Card.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Related: Delta Platinum vs Delta Reserve
For Delta Reserve Amex rates and fees, click This
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click This
For Delta Platinum Amex rates and fees, click This
For rates and fees for the Delta Reserve Business Amex, click This
