Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
This card is for Delta loyalists who want lounge access and upgrade priority. It earns 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X on everything else, so it is a benefits card more than an earning card. The annual fee is $650, with $175 for each additional card. The caveat: Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits per Medallion Year unless you spend $75,000 in a calendar year, and the companion certificate only arrives after renewal.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion Year, with unlimited access unlocked after $75,000 of annual spend
- Centurion Lounge access on the day of a Delta flight booked with the card
- Annual Companion Certificate after renewal, usable in Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main
- $2,500 MQD Headstart and $1 MQD per $10 spent, the fastest MQD earning in the Delta line
- Up to $200 Delta Stays credit, up to $240 Resy credit and up to $120 rideshare credit each year
- Upgrade priority over other members in your Medallion tier
- Trip delay insurance up to $500 per trip, trip cancellation and interruption insurance up to $10,000 per trip, car rental coverage
- Annual fee: $650, plus $175 for each additional card
- Purchase APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable, set by the issuer based on your creditworthiness
- Intro purchase APR: N/A
- Balance transfers: not offered on this card
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable, fee is either $10 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: up to 29.99% Variable can apply after a late or returned payment
- Late payment fee: Up to $40. Returned payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You fly Delta often enough to use most of the 15 Sky Club visits and the Centurion Lounge access each year.
- You travel with a partner and would put the companion certificate in Delta First or Comfort.
- Your spend is high and you want the strongest MQD earning to reach Gold or Platinum Medallion.
- You can use the $560 of Delta Stays, Resy and rideshare credits without changing your habits.
- You should skip this card if you fly Delta fewer than six times a year. The Platinum card keeps the companion certificate and most credits for $300 less.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the top of Delta's consumer line and the only one with lounge access. This review weighs the $650 fee against the Sky Club visits, the First Class companion certificate and the $560 of yearly credits.
How You Earn
Earning is concentrated on Delta itself. Everything else earns 1X, so pair it with a stronger everyday card.
- 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta, including flights and Delta Vacations
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
- $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $10 spent, plus the $2,500 MQD Headstart
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Delta purchases | 3X miles |
| Everything else | 1X miles |
How You Redeem
Miles go to Delta SkyMiles. The companion certificate and lounge visits are used through your Delta account.
- Delta award flights and partner airline awards
- Companion Certificate in Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main, taxes and fees of $22 to $250 apply
- Pay with Miles at $50 per 5,000 miles on paid Delta tickets
- Delta Vacations packages, including the companion certificate toward the flight portion
Benefits and Protections
This is the benefits-heavy Delta card: lounges, status help and the largest credits.
- 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion Year, unlimited after $75,000 of calendar-year spend
- Centurion Lounge access with a Delta flight booked on the card
- Up to $200 Delta Stays, up to $240 Resy and up to $120 rideshare credits each year
- $2,500 MQD Headstart, MQD Boost and upgrade priority
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit every four years
- First checked bag free worldwide, second bag free on domestic Delta flights
- Trip delay, trip cancellation and interruption, and car rental loss and damage insurance
Who This Card Is For
This card is for the frequent Delta flyer who values the lounge more than the miles. The Sky Club cap of 15 visits a year and the $75,000 unlock are the numbers to check against your own travel. Anyone who cannot use the lounges should step down to the Platinum tier.
- Delta flyers taking six or more trips a year
- Members chasing Gold or Platinum Medallion status
- Travellers who want Centurion Lounge access without the Platinum Card from American Express
Comparison
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | United Club℠ Card | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $695 | $695 |
| Welcome Offer | 2 Comfort flight certificates + 50,000 miles, $10,000 | Up to 90,000 miles: 80,000 after $5,000 in 3 months | 125,000 miles after $15,000 in 5 months |
| Rewards Rate | 3X Delta, 1X other | Up to 11X total on United flights, 2X travel, dining | Miles on AA purchases, rate on issuer page |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Best For | Delta loyalists who want lounge access | United Club lounge membership | Admirals Club membership |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum | Delta SkyMiles® Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $350 | $0 first year, then $150 |
| Welcome Offer | 2 Comfort flight certificates + 50,000 miles, $10,000 | As high as 90,000 miles + $300 credit, $4,000 in 6 mo | As high as 80,000 miles + $250 credit, $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Rewards Rate | 3X Delta, 1X other | 3X Delta and hotels, 2X dining and supermarkets | 2X Delta, restaurants, U.S. supermarkets |
| Key Credits | $200 Delta Stays, $240 Resy, $120 rideshare, Sky Club | $150 Delta Stays, $120 Resy, $120 rideshare, companion | $100 Delta Stays, $120 rideshare, $200 flight credit |
| Best For | Delta loyalists who want lounge access | Frequent Delta flyers chasing status | Occasional Delta flyers who check bags |
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