Delta Amex Reserve

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

If you frequently fly Delta, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card can provide enough value to justify its $650 annual fee. The card currently offers a 70,000 (current special 100,000)-mile welcome offer after spending $5,000 (currently $6,000) in the first six months. The high annual fee is worth it for the first year because of the welcome offer alone, especially if you wait for an elevated one before applying.

If you want to keep the card beyond the first year, you'll want to break down if the various benefits are worth the fee to hold the card.

• First Class companion certificate: Each year, you'll receive a companion certificate valid for First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin travel within the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
• $200 in Delta Stay Credits: Good for prepaid hotel and vacation rental bookings made through Delta Stays.
• $240 in Resy Credits: Split up into $20 credits each month.
• $120 in Rideshare Credits: Split up into $10 credits each month.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: Receive $120 towards Global Entry or $85 towards TSA Precheck every 4 years when paying with the card
• Lounge access: Receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits annually when flying Delta, four one-time guest passes, and complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges.

You'll also receive the following beneifts and perks as a cardholder:

• An MQD boost to help reach status faster (though the spending required might be more effectively applied to other cards with sign-up bonuses).
• Hertz President’s Circle Status.
• Addition to the Complimentary Upgrade list.
• Zone 5 priority boarding.
• First checked bag free on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 additional companions on the same reservation.
  • Eligible Basic Card Members also get a second checked bag free on qualifying domestic Delta itineraries, but companions do not receive the second bag free unless they also have an eligible Delta Amex.
• A credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• 15% off on award travel.
• The best coverage among the three Delta business cards for trip delays, cancellations, baggage, and car rentals.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:

• If you only fly Delta once per year or typically travel alone, you may not get enough value from the companion certificate to justify the high annual fee.
• If you always fly in the main cabin, the first-class companion certificate may not be as valuable for you.

My Experience, No Filter

Getting the SkyMiles was not an issue with this credit card, and taking advantage of the Delta Sky Clubs is a huge perk. But I jumped on this offer when it carried a standard 70,000 sign up bonus and used my once in a lifetime application for this card from AMEX. Not long after I received my SkyMiles, they released a 100,000 sign up bonus, which was operator error on my part.

While I did take advantage of the Sky Clubs twice during my first year (LAX and JFK, and they are absolutely half the fun of getting to the destination), I did not use enough of the card benefits to offset the annual fee. After my first year, I couldn’t apply the companion pass toward a Comfort+ or first class ticket because I didn’t have enough miles to upgrade my own seat.

Because I play the points and miles game, I’m not loyal to Delta, so this was not a great card for me. I almost would have been better off paying for a day visit to the Sky Club. I may revisit it in 10 years when I can reapply for this card, but I will not be applying for it while it offers its standard sign up bonus, whatever that may be in 2035.