The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the premier credit card for Delta SkyMiles members, with benefits 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.
If you're a frequent Delta Air Lines flyer, these perks can 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.
» Learn more: How the Delta SkyMiles program works
The perks
Benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card include the following:
- Welcome bonus for new cardholders who meet the minimum spending requirement.
- Annual deposit of $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward Medallion elite status.
- 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.
- Earn Delta SkyMiles by making purchases with the card.
- Priority boarding.
- First and second checked bag free for the primary cardholder.
- 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.
- Up to $240 in Resy credit ($20 a month).
- Up to $120 in statement credits on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers ($10 a month).
Terms apply.
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Get the welcome offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Terms Apply. This welcome bonus offer is not available to applicants who have had this card in the past.
NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, but it's possible to get more value out of them when booking during a Delta award sale.
Earn Medallion status quicker
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card helps you achieve elite status quicker. Each year, cardholders receive a $2,500 MQD deposit into their account just for holding the card.
If you value elite status, the MQD headstart can be a significant stepping stone to earning or renewing Delta Medallion status. To reach entry-level Silver Medallion status, you need $5,000 MQDs, so the deposit gets you halfway there. Terms apply.
Relax in a lounge
Every time you or an additional cardholder flies 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. Keep in mind that you will need to pay $175 a year for each additional cardholder on your account.
You also get four guest passes, but once these are used up, you may bring up to two guests into the lounge for $50 per person. Passengers traveling on a basic economy ticket are not allowed into Delta Sky Clubs.
This credit card benefit offers the same perks as purchasing an individual Delta Sky Club membership, which costs $695 per year and is only available to Medallion members.
Terms apply.
Travelers may also access the American Express Centurion Lounges in the U.S., London, Hong Kong and Tokyo 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 Premium Select, 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
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card gets you on the complimentary upgrade list, even if you don't have Medallion status. Terms apply.
Cardholders without Medallion status will be prioritized after everyone with Medallion status. However, if you are a cardholder and have elite status, you'll receive upgrade priority over other Medallion members in the same elite tier and fare class.
Earn miles by making purchases with the card
With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you'll earn Delta miles on every purchase. You'll receive 3 miles per dollar on every purchase with Delta and Delta Vacations. Plus, you'll earn 1 mile 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
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 (and second) bag at no charge
Delta charges $45 per person each way when checking a bag. These fees can 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. As the primary cardholder, you'll also get a second bag free on domestic flights. 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. Every four years, you'll receive a statement credit of $120 for Global Entry application fees or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck. 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.
Get more than $500 in dining and travel statement credits
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 who can maximize these credits will get a significant chunk of value back from the annual fee.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Some statement credits, such as the Resy and rideshare ones, are doled out in monthly installments. Since those time-based credits don't roll over, set up a reminder to use them each month.Enrollment required. Terms apply.
» Learn more: Is a Delta SkyMiles credit card worth it?
Although the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has an annual fee of $650, the benefits are worth it for the frequent Delta flyer. If you're already a paying Delta Sky Club member, signing up for the card instead could potentially be a better deal with Sky Club access and 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
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