The Delta Reserve Credit Card is a co-branded Amex card that’s best for big-spenders who want airport lounge access when they fly. Delta Reserve has a
$650 annual fee, but it gives complimentary access to certain airport lounges. The comfort that the Delta Reserve Amex gives air-travelers also extends beyond airport lounges and includes your first checked bag free, priority boarding, and a 20% statement credit for in-flight purchases when flying with Delta. Plus, cardholders will now get a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, should they decide to apply.
This offer includes some noteworthy bonus rewards, too. In terms of ongoing bonus rewards, Delta Reserve Amex cardholders earn 3 miles per 1 spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. In addition, new cardholders who spend
$5,000 within
6 months of opening an account will earn an initial bonus of
60,000 miles.
If you’re not sure whether the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card will be worth the cost for you, the highlights below should help clarify the card’s value relative to the competition.
Delta Reserve Credit Card Review Highlights
High Annual Fee
The Delta Reserve annual fee is
$650. The average credit card offer has an annual fee of just
$22.29.
Exclusive Lounge Access
The Delta Reserve Credit Card is most worthwhile for people who would otherwise spend a fortune on airport lounge entry fees. It gets you complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge locations for free. Entry to those exclusive lounges ordinarily costs hundreds of dollars per year. Don’t inflate the value of this benefit if you aren’t certain you’ll be in the position to frequent airport lounges, though. Please note: Effective 2/1/25, 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, you must make $75,000 or more in purchases between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Above-Average Initial Bonus Offer
The Delta Reserve Amex Card’s initial bonus offer of
60,000 miles (for spending
$5,000 within
6 months) is bigger compared to the average initial bonus from a credit card with points or miles:
31,964 points/miles.
Solid Ongoing Rewards on Delta Flights
At 3 miles per $1 spent, the Reserve Card’s Delta earning rate is nearly three times are high as the average rewards card’s base rate:
1.22. That’s the only type of purchase you’ll get an above-average earning rate on, however. All other eligible purchases will get you just 1 mile per $1 spent.
Delta points are worth about
1.22 cents on average.
Clear Path to Elite Status
With MQD Headstart, you receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Medallion Status. Plus, for each $10 in purchases made on your card you earn $1 MQD. For context, one of the requirements for the lowest Medallion Status level, Silver, is to earn $5,000 MQDs in a year.
Lets You Travel with Company for Less
Amex Delta Reserve gives cardholders a companion ticket after each card renewal. That lets someone fly with you round-trip on a U.S. Delta flight for up to $80 for domestic flights or up to $250 for international flights select destinations in the Caribbean or Central American.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Delta Reserve Amex foreign transaction fee is
0%, saving you
1.56% compared to the average credit card offer.
Lastly, it’s important to note that the Reserve Delta SkyMiles credit score requirement is
good or better. In other words, applicants generally need a 700+ credit score for good approval odds. You can
check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub to estimate your chances.
Note: This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. Opinions and ratings are our own.