SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the premier credit card for Delta SkyMiles members. It provides numerous benefits for the frequent Delta traveler that can far exceed its $650 annual fee (see rates and fees). These perks include accelerated Delta Medallion status, complimentary upgrades, airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate. Terms apply.
Taking advantage of these perks will save you time and money while improving your travel experience. Here's what you need to know to get the most from your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card credit card.
» Learn more: How the Delta SkyMiles program works
The perks
Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card include the following:
- Welcome bonus offer miles for new cardholders who meet the minimum spend.
- Headstart on Medallion (elite) status of $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs).
- Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club (15 visits a year) and American Express Centurion lounges.
- An annual companion certificate.
- Access to free upgrades when flying Delta.
- Chance to earn Delta SkyMiles by making purchases with the card.
- Priority boarding.
- First checked bag free.
- 20% discount on in-flight purchases.
- 15% off award travel booked on Delta.
- Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- $200 Delta Stays statement credit.
- Hertz President’s Circle status.
- The ability to Pay With Miles.
- $240 Resy credit.
- Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
Terms apply.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Get the welcome offer
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026. Terms Apply. This welcome bonus offer is not available to applicants who have had this card in the past.
The value of these miles depends upon how you use them. NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each.
Earn Medallion status quicker
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card helps you achieve elite status quicker.
Travelers who value elite status can use the card's MQD headstart as a stepping stone to earning or renewing Delta Medallion status. To reach the first level of Medallion Status, Silver, you need to earn $3,000 MQDs. Terms apply.
Relax in a lounge
Every time you or an additional cardholder fly with Delta, you'll receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges up to three hours before your departing flight (or longer if you have a layover). Each person is limited to 15 annual visits; however, spending $75,000 or more on the card can unlock unlimited access for you and additional cardholders.
You get four guest passes, but once these are used up, you may bring up to two guests into the lounge for $50 per person.
This credit card benefit offers the same perks as purchasing an individual Delta Sky Club membership, which costs $695 per year.
Terms apply.
Travelers may also access the American Express Centurion Lounges in the U.S. and Hong Kong when flying Delta. Cardholders may bring up to two guests into the Centurion Lounge for $50 per person. Terms apply.
Save on travel with the annual Companion Certificate
Each year when you renew your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you'll receive a companion certificate that is good for one round-trip flight to select locations. This flight can be in first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin. Terms apply.
To redeem the certificate, the cardholder will pay cash for their flight and redeem the certificate to book their companion's ticket. You'll still be on the hook for your companion's taxes and fees.
» Learn more: Delta Comfort+ vs. main cabin
Get complimentary upgrades
One benefit of Medallion status is unlimited complimentary upgrades, though other members may have priority over you. Cardholders with Medallion status receive upgrade priority over other Medallion members in the same Medallion level and fare class.
If you don't have Medallion status, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card adds you to the complimentary upgrade list. Terms apply.
Earn miles by making purchases with the card
With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you'll earn Delta SkyMiles on every purchase. You'll receive 3x miles per dollar on every purchase with Delta and Delta Vacations. Plus, you'll earn 1x miles per dollar on all other spending. There is no limit to the number of miles you can earn.
You can redeem those SkyMiles to book flights or pay for upgrades, experiences, merchandise and more. Terms apply.
Enjoy priority boarding
Instead of boarding later in the flight, with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you'll receive priority boarding in Zone 5. You'll have earlier access to the overhead bin space and have more time to get settled into your seat. Terms apply.
» Learn more: Delta's boarding order explained
Check your first bag at no charge
Delta Air Lines charges $35 per person each way when checking a bag. These fees can really add up when traveling with family and friends. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card waives the fees for the first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same itinerary. That's a potential savings of $630 per round-trip flight if you maximize this benefit. Terms apply.
» Learn more: Which Delta Air Lines credit card should you get?
Get 20% back on in-flight purchases
When you buy food, drinks or audio headsets in-flight, you'll receive a 20% statement credit on your purchases. This discount makes it a little easier on the budget to indulge in something sweet or savory during your flight. Terms apply.
Save up to $120 on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Having Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is a way to speed through security while traveling. You'll receive a statement credit of $120 every four years for Global Entry application fees or $85 every 4 1/2 years for TSA Precheck. Note that the TSA PreCheck application fee was recently lowered to $78. Terms apply.
If you already have either of these memberships, you can use this credit to pay the application fees for your spouse, child or someone else.
Use other credits
New in 2024, cardholders have access to a slew of credits, including up to $240 from Resy and up to $120 in rideshare credits. You can also take advantage of a $200 statement credit for lodging booked via Delta Stays.
Savvy cardholders will maximize these credits to get a chunk of value back from the annual fee.
» Learn more: Is a Delta SkyMiles credit card worth it?
The bottom line
Although the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has an annual fee of $650, the benefits are worth it for the frequent Delta flyer. This is especially true for current members of Delta Sky Club who are paying about the same each year for their membership without receiving all of the extra credit card perks.
Cardholders receive complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, free checked bags and an annual companion certificate. Plus, you'll achieve elite status quicker by getting a headstart on MQDs. Terms apply. If you fly Delta frequently and value elite status, this is the credit card for you.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Explore more on
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
