Is the Delta Reserve Amex worth it? Here’s how to decide

Delta’s premium credit card from American Express comes with multiple benefits that seem attractive at first glance to fans of Delta Air Lines, but it comes with one of the highest annual fees on the market. Because of that, making use of every benefit each year is the only way to judge if the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is right for you.

For whom is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card worth It?

Having a credit card for Delta Air Lines might make sense if you’re flying on the airline quite a bit, but also there are a few sets of people for which getting this card makes a lot of sense.

Flyers who want lounge access

For travelers who prioritize getting to the airport earlier so they can enjoy some time at the lounge sipping on a drink and having a snack before their flight, this card offers a compelling argument. Just keep in mind that as of 2/1/25, cardmembers will get 15 visits to the Delta Sky Club per year, with the ability to earn unlimited visits if they spend at least $75,000 a year, as well as four one-time guest passes so you can bring a guest along with you on your flights into the lounge.

The card also comes with unlimited access to the Centurion network of lounges as well, provided you used your card to purchase your Delta flights.

Big spenders who want status

This card becomes quite valuable if you already are a big spender, as a few benefits unlock the more you use your card. For starters, once you spend $75,000 or more every year, you receive unlimited visits to the Delta Sky Club. 

This card also offers cardmembers the chance to earn status with their spend. Every $10 you spend with this card gets you $1 in Medallion qualification dollars towards your status as a boost for next year’s status. Additionally, you’re offered $2,500 Medallion qualification dollars as a head start, helping you get even closer to earning status.

Travelers who check baggage

For those travelers who travel often and regularly check luggage, this card can save them significant cash as it comes with a first checked bag fee waiver for themselves and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation. Delta charges $30 each way for a checked bag on domestic flights, so a family of four traveling together can save up to $240 per round trip if they all check one bag. The savings quickly add up the more you travel.

For whom is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card not worth it?

You might already have a couple of credit cards in your wallet, and you’re thinking about applying for this one as well. Before you hit that application button, see if you fall into any of these categories. If you do, then you might want to pause and think twice.

Cardmembers averse to high annual fees

Regardless of the myriad perks this card comes with, for those who just can’t get past this card’s astronomical annual fee, very little can be done to overcome that objection. The card comes with lounge access, a companion certificate that’s good for first class tickets, plenty of statement credits that can help take the sting off the high annual fee, but if the high dollar amount required to get them is a non starter, it’s best to just move on to another card.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page 

Travelers with no set airline loyalty

For those whose only loyalty lies with your bottom line and they will choose whatever airline gets them to their destination the cheapest, getting an airline co-branded credit card that forces them to route all their travel with Delta and offers mostly Delta-related perks might not be a great idea. In these cases, a general purpose travel card that offers flexibility in benefits and redemptions options is the best way to go.

Solo flyers

Travelers who normally fly solo will not obtain the most value from this card, as a few of the card’s perks are best enjoyed with someone else. The companion certificate the card comes with can help you get a first class, Comfort+ or main cabin round trip ticket for domestic, Caribbean or Central American destinations every year for just up to $80 for domestic flights and $250 for international ones. This can save them hundreds of dollars on that second ticket depending on their chosen destination, but it obviously only works if they’re traveling with someone else.

The same logic applies to waived baggage fees, which works for you and up to eight other people in your reservation, and while there’s some value in using it just for yourself, the savings add up the more travelers you fly with.

How to Maximize Rewards with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Cardholders applying for this card for the first time can earn a 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. This is a significant head start that can help you start booking award travel earlier.

Utilizing the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for bonus categories will help earn more miles faster, but this card only bonuses spend purchases on Delta flights and Delta Vacations at 3X, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. The only way to earn more is to spend more. 

Another way to earn a few additional miles here and there is to enroll in the Delta SkyMiles Dining program, which allows you to earn additional miles whenever you use your enrolled card in one of the program’s participating restaurants. Lastly, if you regularly make online purchases, you might as well run your purchases through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal, which helps you earn additional miles when you click through the portal’s links.

The Takeaway

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a few compelling reasons to get it to avid Delta flyers who are also relatively big spenders. A few of the benefits kick in the more they spend—like unlimited lounge visits as well as potentially earning status with the airline—while at the same time helping them save some money by way of multiple statement credits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Delta SkyMiles to any other airlines?

Delta SkyMiles are not transferable to other airlines, but you can use SkyMiles to book flights on many of Delta’s SkyTeam partners. This can virtually help you get anywhere in the world, since there are more than a dozen partners to choose from.

How do I earn status with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card?

This card can help you earn status based on spend. The more purchases you make with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card, the more Medallion qualification dollars you earn, at a rate of $1 earned for every $10 in purchases. Additionally, you’ll earn $2,500 Medallion qualification dollars per year as a head start.

Does the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card come with unlimited lounge access?

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve comes with 15 visits to the Delta Sky Club per year after 2/1/25, but you can unlock unlimited visits if you spend at least $75,000 a year with the card. Access to the Centurion lounge is uncapped, but it is only granted when you’re flying Delta flights that you used your card to purchase.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying. 

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefits guide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.