01 Jul 25

For frequent Delta travelers, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a suite of premium perks that enhance the flying experience. From complimentary lounge access to elite status boosts, this card is designed for those who prioritize comfort and exclusivity when flying with Delta. But with a hefty annual fee, is it worth adding to your wallet? Let's break down the benefits, costs, and considerations to help you decide.

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The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has long been the premium choice for Delta loyalists, but recent changes to Sky Club access have shaken up the value proposition. With a hefty $650 annual fee and new restrictions limiting lounge visits to just 15 per year (unless you spend $75,000 annually), is this premium card still worth the investment?

Quick Verdict: The Delta Reserve remains valuable for frequent Delta flyers who can maximize its companion certificate, Sky Club access, and elite status benefits. However, the recent lounge restrictions make it less appealing for moderate travelers who prioritized unlimited Sky Club access.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Overview

Card Details	Value
Annual Fee	$650
Welcome Offer	70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in first 6 months
Earning Rate	3x miles on Delta purchases, 1x on everything else
Sky Club Access	15 visits per year (unlimited with $75K annual spend)
Companion Certificate	Annual domestic companion ticket
Foreign Transaction Fees	None
Recommended Credit Score	670+

Current as of May 2025

Welcome Bonus: Strong Value for New Cardholders

New Delta Reserve cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first six months. Based on our valuation of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, this welcome offer is worth approximately $840 – already covering the first year's annual fee and then some.

This bonus is competitive within the premium airline card space, though not everyone will be eligible. American Express's once-per-lifetime bonus rule means you can't get this offer if you've previously held the Delta Reserve or received a welcome bonus on this card before.

How the Welcome Offer Stacks Up

Compared to other premium travel cards:

Chase Sapphire Reserve: 60,000 points ($1,230 value) after $5,000 spend
Amex Platinum: 80,000 points ($1,600 value) after $8,000 spend
Capital One Venture X: 75,000 miles ($1,388 value) after $4,000 spend

The Delta Reserve's bonus falls in the middle of this range, but the lower spending requirement makes it more accessible than the Amex Platinum.

Earning Structure: Solid Returns on Delta Spending

The Delta Reserve earns:

3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases

Earning Analysis

At our 1.2 cents per mile valuation, you're getting:

3.6% return on Delta purchases
1.2% return on general spending

The 3x rate on Delta purchases is competitive, matching what you'd get with other premium airline cards. However, the 1x rate on general spending is underwhelming compared to flexible points cards that offer higher base earning rates.

For comparison, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on all travel and dining (not just one airline), while the Capital One Venture X earns 2x miles on everything.

Major Benefits Breakdown

Delta Sky Club Access (With New Restrictions)

The most significant change to the Delta Reserve in 2025 is the limitation of Sky Club access to 15 visits per Medallion year (February 1 - January 31). Previously, cardholders enjoyed unlimited access.

How the New System Works:

You get 15 visits per Medallion year
A "visit" includes all Sky Club entries within a 24-hour period
Connecting flights on the same day count as one visit
After 15 visits, additional access costs $50 per visit
Spend $75,000 on the card to unlock unlimited access through January 31 of the following Medallion year

Guest Policy:

4 complimentary guest passes per year
After guest passes are used, bring up to 2 guests for $50 each

Annual Companion Certificate

One of the card's strongest benefits is the annual companion certificate, earned each year after your cardmember anniversary. This certificate allows a companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees ($22-$250 depending on the itinerary).

Key Details:

Valid for domestic flights, Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico
Choose from First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin
Blackout dates apply during peak travel periods
Must be used within one year of issue

For frequent Delta travelers, this benefit alone can justify the annual fee. A single domestic first-class companion ticket can easily save $300-$600. This companion certificate benefit is similar to what you'll find with Southwest's Companion Pass, though Southwest's version offers more flexibility for year-round travel.

Elite Status Perks

The Delta Reserve provides meaningful boosts toward Delta's Medallion elite status:

MQD Headstart: Receive $2,500 in Medallion Qualifying Dollars each year
MQD Boost: Earn $1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card

These benefits help you reach elite status faster, which unlocks additional perks like priority boarding, free upgrades, and bonus miles.

Statement Credits

The card includes several annual statement credits that can significantly offset the annual fee:

$240 Resy Credit: Up to $20 monthly in statement credits at eligible U.S. restaurants through Resy
$120 Rideshare Credit: Up to $10 monthly for U.S. rideshare purchases
$200 Delta Stays Credit: Annual credit for prepaid hotel bookings through Delta

These statement credits total $560 in potential annual value, though you'll need to actively use them to realize the full benefit. For more details on how travel credit cards with annual statement credits work, check out our comprehensive guide to travel cards with annual credits.

Travel Benefits

Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
Priority boarding (Zone 5)
15% discount on Delta award flights
Upgrade priority over non-cardholders in the same Medallion tier
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit ($120 every 4 years or $85 every 4.5 years)

Pros and Cons

Pros

Valuable companion certificate can offset much of the annual fee
Sky Club access (though now limited) remains a premium perk
Strong welcome bonus worth $840
Multiple statement credits ($360 in potential annual value)
Elite status boosts help reach Medallion tiers faster
No foreign transaction fees
Comprehensive travel insurance coverage

Cons

High $650 annual fee
Sky Club access now limited to 15 visits annually
Earning rate mediocre outside of Delta purchases
Delta miles have limited redemption flexibility
Companion certificate has blackout dates and restrictions
$75,000 spending requirement for unlimited Sky Club access is steep

Who Should Get This Card?

Ideal Candidates

The Delta Reserve makes the most sense if you:

Fly Delta frequently (6+ times per year)
Value Sky Club access and lounges
Can maximize the companion certificate annually
Are working toward or maintaining Delta elite status
Appreciate the various statement credits
Don't mind being locked into the Delta ecosystem

Consider Alternatives If You:

Fly multiple airlines regularly
Want more flexible earning on non-travel spending
Prefer transferable points over airline miles
Can't justify the $650 annual fee
Rarely use airport lounges

How It Compares to Alternatives

Premium Travel Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee):

Lower annual fee
3x points on all travel and dining (not just one airline)
Transferable Ultimate Rewards points
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass lounge access

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers more flexibility but lacks airline-specific perks like free checked bags and companion certificates. Our detailed Chase Sapphire comparison guide breaks down how it compares to the Preferred version.

Amex Platinum ($695 annual fee):

Extensive lounge network access
5x points on airfare booked directly with airlines
Various statement credits
Higher annual fee but broader travel benefits

For travelers who value premium lounge access, our Chase Sapphire vs Amex lounge access comparison provides an in-depth analysis of which card network offers superior airport lounge benefits.

Other Delta Cards

Delta SkyMiles Platinum ($350 annual fee):

Lower annual fee
Still includes free checked bags and companion certificate
Limited Sky Club access (pay-per-visit)
Good middle-ground option

Delta SkyMiles Gold ($150 annual fee):

Much lower fee
Free checked bag benefit
No Sky Club access
Best for occasional Delta flyers

Maximizing Value

To get the most from your Delta Reserve:

Use the companion certificate annually – This alone can provide $300-$600+ in value
Maximize statement credits – Set up the Resy and rideshare credits to earn the full $360 annual value
Book Delta stays – Use the $200 Delta Stays credit for hotel bookings
Time your Sky Club visits – Remember the 24-hour rule to maximize your 15 annual visits
Consider the $75K spend threshold – If you're close, the unlimited Sky Club access might be worth it

For business owners, consider pairing this personal card with Chase business credit cards to maximize your overall rewards strategy across both personal and business spending.

Application Process and Approval Odds

The Delta Reserve typically requires:

Credit score of 670+ (higher scores increase approval odds)
Significant income to support the high annual fee
Good credit history with American Express (if you have prior Amex cards)

American Express offers a pre-qualification tool that lets you check your approval odds without affecting your credit score. This is particularly helpful given Amex's once-per-lifetime welcome bonus rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get the welcome bonus if I have other Delta Amex cards? A: Yes, but you can only earn each card's welcome bonus once per lifetime.

Q: Do the Sky Club visits reset each year? A: Yes, you get 15 visits each Medallion year (February 1 - January 31). Delta's official Sky Club access page provides complete details on the new visit limitations.

Q: Can I use the companion certificate for international flights? A: Only to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Not for flights to Europe, Asia, etc.

Q: Is the $75,000 spending requirement cumulative across years? A: No, it resets each calendar year. You need to spend $75,000 in a single calendar year to unlock unlimited access.

Q: What happens if Delta devalues their miles? A: Airline miles are subject to devaluation, which is why some travelers prefer transferable points currencies.

Final Verdict

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card remains a solid choice for dedicated Delta flyers, despite the recent Sky Club restrictions. The combination of the companion certificate, elite status benefits, and various statement credits can easily justify the $650 annual fee for frequent travelers.

However, the card's appeal has diminished for moderate travelers who valued unlimited Sky Club access. The new 15-visit limit means you'll need to be strategic about lounge usage, and the $75,000 spending threshold for unlimited access is out of reach for most cardholders.

Bottom Line: If you fly Delta regularly, can use the companion certificate annually, and value the elite status benefits, the Delta Reserve still delivers strong value despite its limitations. But if you're looking for flexibility or spend less than $20,000 annually on the card, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred for more versatile rewards.

The Delta Reserve works best as part of a broader Delta loyalty strategy – if you're all-in on Delta Airlines, this card can be incredibly valuable. If you prefer to keep your options open, you might find better value elsewhere.

For travelers interested in maximizing their rewards across multiple categories, our guide to the top credit cards for dining rewards can help you find cards that offer stronger earning rates on restaurant spending. Additionally, if you're considering other premium travel cards, check out our comprehensive comparison of Chase Sapphire cards to see how they stack up against airline-specific options like the Delta Reserve.

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