Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: The Ultimate Choice for Delta Loyalists

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Rates, fees, offers at a glance

	Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Annual Fee	– $650
Rewards rates	– 1x-3x
Sign up bonus	– Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 6 months
foreign transaction fee	– None
Ongoing APR	– 20.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases
Balance transfer fee	– N/A
Additional benefits	– Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. – Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You will receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. 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. -Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.

Introduction to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the most premium Delta co-branded credit card, offering elite travel perks, complimentary Delta Sky Club access, and a fast track to Medallion Status.

This high-end card is designed for frequent Delta travelers who value airport lounge access, priority boarding, and generous travel benefits. While the $650 annual fee is steep, the benefits easily justify the cost for those who frequently fly with Delta.

Key Features at a Glance

✔ Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
✔ 3X SkyMiles on Delta purchases
✔ 1X SkyMile on all other purchases
✔ Unlimited complimentary Delta Sky Club access
✔ 4 Delta companion certificates per year
✔ Complimentary upgrade priority, even for non-Medallion members
✔ Fast track to Medallion Status with Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs)

In this guide, we’ll break down all aspects of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card, including its rewards program, elite travel perks, fees, and how to maximize its value.

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Key Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card

1. Huge Welcome Bonus

• Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
• Delta SkyMiles never expire and can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, vacation packages, and more.

2. High Earning Rates on Travel & Everyday Spending

• 3X SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta purchases (flights, seat upgrades, in-flight purchases).
• 1X SkyMile per $1 on all other purchases.

3. Complimentary Delta Sky Club & Partner Lounge Access

• Unlimited free access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta.
• Complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges.
• 2 one-time guest passes per year for Delta Sky Club.

4. Annual Companion Certificate (Worth $500+)

• Every card anniversary, get a companion certificate for a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip flight.
• Covers flights within the contiguous U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

5. Fast Track to Delta Medallion Status

• Earn $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) after spending $50,000 per year.
• Get closer to Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion elite status.

6. Complimentary Upgrades & Priority Boarding

• Non-Medallion members get higher upgrade priority.
• Complimentary upgrades to First Class or Delta Comfort+ when available.
• Sky Priority boarding to board early and secure overhead space.

7. Free Checked Bags

• First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.
• Saves $70 per round trip per person.

8. No Foreign Transaction Fees

• Use your card internationally without worrying about extra fees.

9. Travel & Purchase Protections

• Trip delay insurance (up to $500 per trip).
• Lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per passenger).
• Extended warranty on eligible purchases.

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How to Maximize the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card

1. Use the Card for All Delta Purchases

• Earn 3X SkyMiles on flights, in-flight purchases, and Delta Vacations.
• Book award flights using miles for free or discounted travel.

2. Take Full Advantage of Lounge Access

• Enjoy Delta Sky Clubs on every Delta flight.
• Use the Centurion Lounge for premium pre-flight experiences.

3. Utilize the Companion Certificate

• Save hundreds on domestic round-trip flights each year.
• Book First Class or Comfort+ tickets for maximum value.

4. Earn Medallion Status Faster

• Spend $50,000 per year to boost MQDs and reach Medallion Status faster.
• Higher Medallion levels offer more upgrades, free same-day changes, and bonus miles.

5. Use the Card for Big Purchases

• Take advantage of purchase protection and extended warranties.
• Earn bonus miles on large purchases to redeem for free flights faster.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs. Other Delta Cards

1. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum

Feature	Delta SkyMiles® Reserve	Delta SkyMiles® Platinum
Annual Fee	$650	$350
Welcome Bonus	100,000 miles	85,000 miles
SkyMiles Earning Rate	3X on Delta, 1X on others	3X on Delta, 2X on dining & groceries
Sky Club Access	Free	$50 per visit
Companion Certificate	First Class, Comfort+, Main Cabin	Main Cabin only
Medallion Boost	Yes	No
Best For	Frequent Delta flyers	Travelers wanting lounge access at a lower fee

2. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Feature	Delta SkyMiles® Reserve	Amex Platinum
Annual Fee	$650	$695
Airline Rewards	Delta-specific	All airlines (transfer partners)
Lounge Access	Delta Sky Clubs & Centurion	Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta (when flying Delta)
Companion Certificate	Yes	No
Best For	Delta loyalists	Travelers wanting premium travel perks across airlines

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Who Should Get the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card?

✔ Frequent Delta travelers who want Sky Club access
✔ Loyal Delta flyers working toward Medallion Status
✔ Travelers who can use the annual companion certificate
✔ People who value priority boarding and complimentary upgrades

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Bottom Line: Is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Worth It?

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best option for loyal Delta travelers who want luxury perks, unlimited lounge access, and elite travel benefits.

The $650 annual fee may seem high, but if you fly Delta often, the perks easily outweigh the cost—especially with the companion certificate, lounge access, free checked bags, and upgrade priority.

However, if you don’t fly Delta frequently, a more flexible travel card like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be a better fit.