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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card — Full Review [2025]

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Jarrod West
Edited by: Juan Ruiz
& Kellie Jez

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

LIMITED TIME OFFER
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
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  • 125,000 miles

  • $650

  • 19.99%-28.99% Variable

  • Good to Excellent

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon4.25

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Summary

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its MQD Headstart towards status boost, lounge access, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

Card Details

Card Snapshot

Welcome Bonus & Info

  • Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • $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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $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.

Customer Service Number

1-800-297-3276

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases.
  • 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
  • Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs each year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
  • Receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card.
  • $240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases upon enrollment.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers upon enrollment.
  • Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
  • Access to Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority.
  • Free checked bag.
  • 20% back on inflight purchases.

Cons

  • $650 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • No bonus categories other than Delta purchases

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Great Card If

Don’t Get If

  • You are not a frequent traveler
  • You don’t fly with Delta

Delta Reserve Card — Is It Worth It?

If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, the Delta Reserve card might just be a must-have card for you.

Thanks to its status boost ability, the card is a great option for those looking to qualify or re-qualify for high levels of Delta elite status. Plus, it offers complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access –– a huge benefit for frequent travelers.

Delta Reserve cardmembers receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of visits after spending $75,000 in purchases in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive 4 one-time guest passes each year.

When you factor in the rest of the card’s benefits including the annual companion certificate, free checked bags, access to complimentary upgrades, and more, it’s easy to see how much value the card can offer to Delta flyers.

Delta Reserve Card Top Benefits

Delta Travel Benefits

The Delta Reserve card is loaded up with benefits that Delta flyers will love.

  • Lounge Access: Visit Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta. Delta Reserve cardmembers receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of visits after spending $75,000 in purchases in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive 4 one-time guest passes each year.
  • Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) Headstart: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card will receive an MQD Headstart of $2,500 MQDs for the current Medallion Qualification Year.
  • MQD Boost: Cardholders will earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card.
  • Annual Companion Certificate: 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 roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
  • Complimentary Upgrades: You’ll be added to the upgrade list on flights, even if you don’t have Delta status.
  • Upgrade Priority: Receive priority on the upgrade list for holding the Delta Reserve card over other flyers with the same status level as you.
  • Free Checked Bag: Get your first checked bag free for you and up to 8 traveling companions on the same flight.
  • Get 20% Back on Inflight Purchases: Applies to food, beverages, and audio headsets.

Card Protections

  • Trip Delay Insurance: If your flight is delayed by more than 6 hours, you can receive up to $500 in coverage towards items including food and lodging.
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason, you can receive up to $10,000 per trip, up to $20,000 per year, in coverage for non-refundable expenses.
  • Rental Car Insurance: The card’s secondary insurance coverage covers accidental damage or theft of your rental car.
  • Baggage Insurance: If a carrier loses your luggage, you’re covered for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.
  • Return Protection: If the merchant you purchased an item from won’t accept a return within 90 days, you can receive coverage of up to $300 per item, up to $1,000 per year.
  • Purchase Protection: If an item is lost or damaged within 90 days of purchase, you can receive up to $10,000 in coverage per occurrence, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
  • Extended Warranty: Adds 1 year of warranty coverage to warranties of 5 years or less.

Alternative Cards to the Delta Reserve Card

Platinum Card® from American Express

+ NEW BENEFITS
Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.
Up to $3,850
$895
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

If you’re not totally committed to Delta, but still want a card that offers premium perks, then the Amex Platinum card could be the one for you.

It still offers access to Amex Centurion Lounges and 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend, but also takes that a step further by offering you access to several other airport lounge networks including Priority Pass (upon enrollment) and Plaza Premium Lounges.

Sure, the card has a steep annual fee of $895, but when you consider the amount of value you can get from the annual credits, it’s easy to see how you might come out way ahead by holding the card (rates & fees).

See our detailed comparison of the Amex Platinum card vs. the Delta Reserve card.

Business Owner? Check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

We’ve also compared the Delta Reserve card to other popular cards:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Delta Reserve card worth it?

If you’re a frequent Delta traveler, then the card can be well worth it, even with the annual fee.

One of the key reasons for this is that you receive a status boost with MQD Headstart. Not to mention the card’s airport lounge access and annual companion certificate.

On top of that, you can save money while traveling by receiving free checked bags and 20% savings on your inflight purchases of food and other items.

But the perks don’t end there! If you purchase an item and you want or need extra protection, your card can offer that, too. For example, purchase protection and extended warranty are also available to cardmembers.

Do the points on a Delta credit card ever expire or go away?

Because the SkyMiles earned will be transferred to Delta SkyMiles right away, the points on the card will not ever expire or go away, even if you cancel your card.

How does the Delta Reserve card compare to the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is better for earning SkyMiles on everyday purchases such as restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and purchases booked directly with hotels.

On the other hand, the Delta Reserve card is a much more benefits-focused card since it offers lounge access, upgrade priority, and the better annual companion certificate of the 2 cards.

What is a good card to use in conjunction with the Delta Reserve card?

You can use any of the other Membership Rewards cards, such as the Amex Platinum card or the American Express® Gold Card, and then transfer your Membership Rewards points to your Delta SkyMiles account.

What is the Delta Reserve card upgrade priority?

You will receive upgrades according to your current ticket and status. If you are an elite status member, you will get priority. Cardmembers get priority over regular customers.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 8 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year, and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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