Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

[Expired] Amex Unveils Delta Reserve Cards Made From Boeing 747 Metal

Daniel Ross's image
Daniel Ross
Daniel Ross's image

Daniel Ross

Senior Content Contributor

626 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 56U.S. States Visited: 17

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points...

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.

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available.

Update: The Limited Edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card design was available while supplies lasted through August 3, 2022 and is no longer offered at this time.

The aviation-inspired refresh of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card makes the pair — without a doubt — the coolest and most unique credit cards around.

American Express and Delta Air Lines have unveiled a limited-edition card design made using metal from a retired Delta Boeing 747. 

If that wasn’t exciting enough, the Delta Reserve card is also offering a limited-time welcome offer of 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. This offer ends August 3, 2022.

“We’re celebrating our latest innovation that pays homage to the iconic Boeing 747 by giving Card Members a piece of travel history in their wallet,” said Jon Gantman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cobrand Product Management at American Express.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s possibly the most AvGeek-y credit card in history.

Yes, These Cards Are Really Made From a Boeing 747

Though current Delta Reserve card and Delta Reserve Business cardmembers were initially able to replace their current cards with the exclusive new design, the new design is now only available to new applicants or those upgrading from a Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, while supplies last.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Application
New applicants of the Delta Reserve card and Delta Reserve business card can choose the exclusive new Boeing 747 design for a limited time. Image Credit: American Express

These cards are 25% composed of the actual metal from Delta Ship #6307, which was retired in 2017 after flying a staggering 68 million miles over the course of its 27-year lifetime flying commercial flights. That equates to over 2,700 times around the world!

Is It Worth It?

If you don’t already have either of these cards — and even if you’re the world’s biggest fan of aviation and/or the Boeing 747 — you’ll need to be a very frequent Delta flyer to get any sort of value out of this card.

The Delta Reserve card is one of the most premium airline cards on the market and come with a $650 annual fee to match (rates & fees).

However, you get some serious Delta perks for the premium price tag. These include:

  • 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta purchases
  • 1x SkyMiles per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • 20% back on inflight purchases
  • Access to Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority
  • Annual Companion Certificate
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta*
  • Delta Status Boost*
  • Free checked bag
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
  • Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver**

*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.
**Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.

No matter how tempted you may be by having a piece of a Boeing 747 in your wallet, be sure that you can derive enough value from either of these cards to justify the annual fee. In all likelihood, this means you have to be a very frequent Delta flyer.

Hot Tip: Are you a frequent flyer with Delta Air Lines? Check out our comprehensive list of the top credit cards that should be in your wallet

Final Thoughts

We couldn’t be more in love with what Amex and Delta have done with the Delta Reserve card or Delta Reserve business card. Who doesn’t want to have a piece of aviation history in their pockets?

Like we said above, though, if you don’t already hold either of these cards, you’ll want to do the math before deciding to apply.

Read our guide on Metal credit cards to find out more information about similar credit cards available right now.


For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.

Daniel Ross's image

About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse
DMCA.com Protection Status