Unlocking Luxury: Why I’m Considering Upgrading to the Delta Reserve Card for Elite-Level Perks

As a current holder of the mid-tier Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, I already enjoy several great perks when flying with Delta. However, I’ve been considering upgrading to the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card for some time.

Now that I’m losing my elite status, the more premium Delta Reserve card is becoming increasingly appealing — here are the main reasons why.

Delta Reserve Card Overview

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

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

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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.

Welcome Offer

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.

70,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$840

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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.

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.

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• 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.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Airline Loyalty Program

Although the Delta Reserve card charges an eye-watering $650 fee (rates & fees), it’s a price I’m willing to pay. Here’s a quick look at the benefits you can expect when flying Delta:

• Delta Sky Club Access: Complimentary access for the primary cardholder and 4 one-time guest passes every year when flying on a same-day Delta boarding pass. Starting February 1, 2025, cardholders receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.
• American Express Centurion Lounge access: Complimentary access when booking your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card
• Annual Companion Certificate: Valid for roundtrip flights in main cabin within the U.S., Caribbean, or Central America
• Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority: Puts you on the Medallion upgrade list and gives you higher priority over other Medallion members with equivalent status
• Free Checked Bag: Valid for yourself and up to 8 guests on a reservation
• 15% off Award Flights: Save 15% on any Delta award flights you book
• 20% Savings on Inflight Purchases: Get 20% back of the money you spend as a statement credit
• MQD Headstart: Receive $2,500 in Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each year toward Medallion elite status

Get Elite-Like Benefits on the Delta Reserve Card

Anyone who’s ever held elite status (with any airline) will recognize a lot of the above benefits. Perks like free upgrades and free checked bags are generally reserved for elite flyers, so the fact that it’s offered just by holding a credit card is a huge advantage.

I’ve had elite status with various airlines and hotels for years and have paid a lot of money to keep it — which includes taking mileage runs, booking unnecessary hotel stays, and buying more wine than I probably should have.

Lately, however, my travel has focused on award flights, which doesn’t help much to maintain my levels of elite status. And since I usually fly business class when booking award travel, I still receive many of the same perks that come with elite status anyway.

Therefore, I’m starting to question how much effort I should put into earning elite status, especially when the Delta Reserve card comes with many of the same benefits.

Consider this: you’d need to spend $5,000 on United flights in a year just to qualify for their lowest elite level, Silver. This includes perks like free checked bags and access to the upgrade list but no airport lounge access. In comparison, paying for an annual fee on a premium credit card offering similar benefits seems like a much better deal.

Everyday Benefits of the Delta Reserve Card

Of course, free checked luggage and airport lounge access aren’t enough to justify the card’s $650 annual fee. Delta and American Express clearly know this, as the card also comes with a lot of other everyday perks:

• Up to $240 Resy Credit: Up to $20 each month in statement credits on Resy restaurants (upon enrollment)
• Up to $120 Ride-Share Credit: Up to $10 each month towards rideshare purchases (upon enrollment)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit: Up to $120 application fee credit
• Up to $200 Delta Stays credit: Up to $200 annually for prepaid, nonrefundable hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays
• Hertz Elite Status: Get President’s Circle status as long as you hold the Delta Reserve card (upon enrollment)

Most of the everyday benefits are credits and are ones that can easily be used in conjunction with excellent Delta perks.

Final Thoughts

The Delta Reserve card has been on my mind for a while now thanks to its long list of ongoing benefits. Although I already have a Delta card in my wallet, I think it may be time for an upgrade — especially as I’ll be losing my airline elite status next year.