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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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American Express

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

TravelLuxuryAirlineDiningHotelIntro OfferNo Foreign Transaction Fees

Key Features

Annual Fee$650.00
Sign-up BonusUp To 125,000 Bonus Miles
Rewards Rate1X-3X Miles
Regular APR
APR: 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases.
Other Fees
The annual fee for each Additional Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is $175.
There is no annual fee for Additional Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Cards.
NetworkAmerican Express
Read the full review
Best for those with
Excellent Credit

About this card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card receives a 'Fair' overall rating of 2.2. This card is a highly specialized product, exclusively designed for extremely loyal and frequent Delta Air Lines travelers who can consistently maximize its extensive, yet often conditional, benefits. Its value proposition is almost entirely dependent on the cardholder's ability to extract significant value from these perks to offset its substantial costs. The primary drawbacks are its exceptionally high $650 annual fee and a very high variable APR range of 19.49% to 28.49%. These financial burdens are significant for any consumer, making it a very expensive card to hold, especially if a balance is carried. While the card offers various statement credits ($240 Resy, $120 Rideshare, $200 Delta Stays), these require active utilization and specific spending habits, and may not fully offset the annual fee for all. For its niche audience, the card offers an impressive suite of Delta-centric benefits, including Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access (with limits), a valuable Companion Certificate, MQD Headstart and Boost towards Medallion Status, and upgrade priority. The sign-up bonus is generous. However, the reputation analysis highlights recurring user complaints regarding the practical usability of key benefits, particularly the Companion Certificate's restrictive terms and difficulties in finding eligible flights, as well as concerns about overcrowded lounges. The rewards rate of 3X miles on Delta purchases is good, but the 1X mile rate on all other eligible purchases is notably low for a premium card of this caliber, limiting its utility for everyday spending. American Express's strong reputation for customer service and travel protections provides a solid foundation, but cannot fully compensate for the card's financial shortcomings and benefit friction. In summary, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a potent tool for a very specific segment of high-spending Delta loyalists who can diligently leverage every perk. For the average traveler or anyone unable to fully capitalize on its specific, high-value benefits, the exorbitant annual fee and high APR make it a poor value proposition. The card's significant drawbacks, coupled with the practical challenges in maximizing its core benefits, prevent it from achieving a higher rating despite its premium offerings.

2.2
Overall Rating

Pros & Cons

What's great

  • Generous sign-up bonus
  • High rewards rate on airline purchases
  • Extensive travel benefits including lounge access and companion certificate
  • Statement credits for travel and lifestyle purchases
  • Comprehensive travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees

Things to consider

  • High annual fee
  • High regular APR
  • Limited rewards categories for everyday spending

What this card offers

Sign-up bonuses

  • Earn Up To 125,000 Bonus Miles
  • Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer ends 07/15/2026.

Rewards

  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta Purchases
  • Earn 1X Miles on All Other Eligible Purchases

Other features

  • Companion Certificate: Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card.
  • MQD Headstart: With MQD Headstart, you can receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and you can get closer to elevated Status for next Medallion Year.
  • MQD Boost: Get $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year, getting you closer to Medallion Status for next Medallion Year quicker.
  • Delta Sky Club Access: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members enjoy 15 Visits each Medallion Year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card during a calendar year.
  • Complimentary Access to The Centurion Lounge: Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
  • $240 Resy Credit: With your enrolled Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, you can earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
  • TakeOff 15: Take 15% off anytime you book Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app.
  • Upgrade Priority: With your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with your Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • Complimentary Upgrade List: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
  • $200 Delta Stays Credit: Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Hertz President's Circle Status: Transform your car rental experience with Hertz President’s Circle Status, compliments of your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
  • First Bag Free and NEW Second Bag Free: Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide – and on domestic Delta flights, your second bag flies free too.
  • Pay with Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your ticket for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com
  • Zone 5 Priority Boarding: Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • Baggage Insurance Plan: Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 6 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased with your same Eligible Card, up to $500 per trip, maximum 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance can help reimburse the non-refundable travel expenses purchased with the same Eligible Card, up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the Rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory.
  • Premium Global Assist Hotline: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Premium Global Assist Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical, legal, and financial referrals.
  • 20% Back on In-flight Purchases: Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
  • Extended Warranty: When you use your Eligible Card to make a Covered Purchase, you can get up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer's Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories.
  • Global Dining Access: Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card to your Resy profile.
  • Return Protection: American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express Card.
  • Purchase Protection: When you use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases, your Membership can help protect them for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. Up to $10,000 per Covered Purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
  • Amex Special Ticket Access: Card Members can access Amex Presale Tickets and Amex Reserved Tickets to select can't-miss events and moments across sports, music, and more.
  • American Express Venue Collection: Enjoy an enhanced experience at select stadiums and arenas thanks to on-site benefits including dedicated entrances or fast lanes. Plus enroll your Card and get 10% back on qualifying concessions purchases up to $250 per calendar year.
  • Send & Split: Send & Split enhances the way you send money and split purchases with other Venmo and PayPal users, all in the American Express App. Now you can pay friends with more flexibility and without the standard Venmo or PayPal credit card fee.
  • Cell Phone Protection: You can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your costs to repair or replace your damaged or Stolen cell phone for a maximum of up to $800 per claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim.
  • Dispute Resolution: If there is a fraudulent or incorrect charge on your statement, American Express will work with you to help resolve the issue.
  • Year-End Summary: The Online Year-End Summary, typically available in January, reflects charges posted to your account from January 1st through December 31st of the prior year.

Additional Notes

Limited Time Offer | 2 Days Left

Ratings

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