Delta Skymiles Reserve American Express Card Overview
The Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express card offers great benefits when flying on the Delta, as well as the ability to gain elite status through spending on the card. It is best for those who want special privileges, including lounge access (restricted), boosting elite status and companion certificates after each account anniversary. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card ratings are based on the opinions of TPG editors and are not affected by the card issuer.
While the Delta Reserve has an annual fee of $650 (see Rates and Fees), it offers many useful benefits to offset that price tag and can provide a lot of value for Delta Loyalists.
The recommended credit score for this card is at least 670.
Here is a careful study of Delta Reserve Amex and its benefits to help you determine if it is right for you.
Delta Reserve AMEX PROS and Cons
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Delta Reserve AMEX Welcome Offer
Delta Reserve Amex offers new CardMembers to be able to earn 100,000 miles of bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. The offer ends on July 16.
This matches the best quotes we’ve seen on this card and now is a great time to apply. We tend to see 100,000 miles once or twice a year, the most recent in April.
TPG’s June 2025 valuation of PEG Delta Skymiles is 1.25 cents per share, making those miles worth $1,250.
Some applicants will not meet this welcome offer. Specifically, you are usually not eligible due to Amex’s per card rule if you currently have this card or a previous version.
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AMEX can also consider the number of U.S. Express cards you open and close, whether you hold another card in the Delta family or not, and other factors when determining your eligibility for this welcome offer.
Thankfully, Amex will tell you if you are not eligible to submit your application, but before Amex makes a credit offer. Therefore, if you wish to receive a welcome bonus, be aware of any messages or warnings that appear after applying.
Related: What credit score is required to get a Delta Skymiles American Express card?
Delta Reserve Amex Welfare
Delta Reserve Amex offers some useful benefits for frequent Delta leaflets. Admission is required to provide selected benefits and terms apply.
Lounge entry
Currently, due to Delta Reserve Amex, primary schools and additional cardholders visit Delta Sky Club Lounges, Delta marketing or Delta-operated flights 15 times a year when traveling the same day, unlimited access every year after spending $75,000 in the calendar year.
Cardims can also cost $50 per person per person when traveling to Delta partner airlines that are not sold or operated by Delta. After card people use all 15 free visits, they must be $50 per visit to get to the Sky Club.
Delta Reserve’s AMEX will also take you to American Express Centurion Centurion Lounges, when purchased on American Express cards issued in the United States, at no additional cost. You can bring up to two guests into your centurion lounge for a fee of $50 per person (or $30 per child aged 2 to 17).
Cardembers can also get four former Sky Club visitors when the account is opened and will renew your account every year. You can pay $50 per person per person to take you into two guests or immediate family members (spouse or family partner and children under 21 years of age). Guests can visit the snatch and go to the Sky Club location for $25 per person.
Peer Certificate of the Year
Another major benefit of Delta Reserve Amex is that the partner certificate cardholders receive it annually after their account anniversary. When you purchase an adult roundtrip ticket, the supporting certificate is valid at a roundtrip ticket in First Class, Delta Comfort+ or the companion’s main cabin.
It can be used for travel to all 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Depending on how much you redeem your companion tickets, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year with it, especially when you fly into first class.
Elite identity qualification
Delta Reserve Amex CardMembers earns 1 medal-qualified USD for every $10 spent, and how much MQD you can earn from your credit card spend.
You will also receive an MQD boost of 2500 MQD at the start of each medal eligibility year.
Related: The Final Guide to Upgrading Delta
Other privileges
Delta Reserve AMEX expands several other travel-related allowances, including:
(Enrollment is required to choose benefits; terms and conditions apply.)
Delta Reserve Amex also includes a lot of shopping and travel protection when you use the card to purchase certain purchases. (Terms and exclusions apply.)
Related: How to maximize new statement points on Delta Amex card
Earn miles on Delta Reserve Amex
As you call it, Delta Reserve Amex can get Delta Skymiles, as you earn when you purchase on your card:
- Spend 3 miles per dollar for qualified purchases made directly with Delta
- 1 mile per dollar for all other eligible purchases
But even if you spend 3 miles on your air ticket, you may not want to spend too much on Delta Reserve Amex after you get a welcome bonus. That’s because, based on TPG’s June 2025 Triangle Mile valuation at 1.25 cents, you can only get a 3.8% return on Delta purchases, while everything else has a 1.3%.
However, you can do better with your daily expenses, especially if you consider other US Express cards that can be transferred to Delta that earn membership bonus points.
Related: 4 reasons why Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta Flyers
Redemption of miles in Delta Reserve
Delta’s dynamic pricing could frustrate redemption of Delta Skymiles. While the impact of variable pricing can be mild in some cases, finding the best redemption can be challenging, especially when considering long-distance bookings or premium bookings.
Prices can soar when you start talking about premium carbines.
If you have flexibility, it’s better to save Delta miles in one of the carrier’s frequent Flash reward sales. In the past, we have seen deals on domestic awards from 2,000 Skymiles per piece to New York to Bogota in Colombia.
You can also use Skymiles Flying International Antenna Partner Airlines, such as Air France and Korea, as well as selected non-partners such as WestJet.
You can also redeem Delta Skymiles for many things besides flights, including Sky Clubs and quality alcoholic beverages for hotels and car rentals. However, note that some redemption options offer relatively low value.
Related: Abbreviation of Delta Skymiles? Try Miles Headstart
Which cards compete with Delta Reserve AMEX?
Most Delta Reserve Amex Cardembers carry it for two reasons: Delta Sky Club access and promoting additional boosts in Delta Elite identity. When it comes to these privileges, Delta Reserve Amex has three main competitors:
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Bottom line
This personal credit card is best for Delta loyalists who want free access to Delta Sky Club and Elitelike Fuels when flying the Delta or redeeming miles. If you fit the bill, then this card may be worth it.
However, if you don’t need a lot of Delta-specific privileges and want to maximize your income, you’d better use a card that transfers points, such as Amex Platinum.
Apply here: Delta Skymiles Reserve American Express Card
For rates and fees for Delta Reserve Amex, click here
For rates and fees for Delta Platinum Amex, click here
