If you’re looking for the card that packs in the most Delta benefits, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card may be for you. Its most notable benefit is access to Delta SkyClub lounges when you travel on a Delta flight.
Rewards: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
Annual Fee: $550
Terms apply. See rates & fees.
Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is not a card to get for daily spending because it does not offer great earnings rates. If you’re interested in earning Delta SkyMiles, a better option is to get a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points. Membership Rewards transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Delta.
However, if you’re looking for benefits when you fly Delta, this card is tough to beat. The most notable benefit is access to Delta SkyClubs when you fly Delta, however, you’ll only receive two annual one-time passes to bring guests in with you. You’ll also have access to American Express’ exclusive Centurion Lounges when you book your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card.
This card also offers a couple of features that can help you on your way to earning Delta Medallion status. It offers the ability to earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) when you spend $30,000 on your card, up to four times per calendar year. You can also earn a waiver for the Medallion Qualification Spending requirement by spending $25,000 on your card in 2021.
If you have status with Delta already, you’ll be put ahead of other members with the same status level as you on the upgrade priority list, and if you don’t have status you’ll still be eligible for upgrades after all other Medallion members. Cardholders will also receive their first checked bag on Delta flights for free, priority boarding and 20% back on in-flight purchases when using their Reserve card.
Other travel-related benefits offered by this card include up to a $100 credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, trip delay and cancellation coverage and secondary car rental insurance. You also may benefit from purchase protection, return protection and extended warranty.
If you want access to some Delta benefits, but you don’t want to pay a high annual fee, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.