Bottom Line

This is the card to have if you're working toward becoming a Medallion member. It gives you that initial point boost, plus all the nice things that are attached to a Delta card, like first checked bag free, priority boarding and travel protections. Other Delta cards offer you a lot of the same benefits with a more reasonable annual fee than the $550 on this one. Plus the huge spends needed to gain "status" with Delta, are better leveraged collecting sign-up bonuses with other cards. Finally, as with any Amex card, since you're limited to a "once in a lifetime" bonus, it's a good idea to wait for special offers (80,000 points). The typical 40,000 point offer on this card is underwhelming.

Why You Might Want This Card

What Do You Get (Or Not Get) For $550?

The unique thing about the Delta Reserve card is you can earn elite status on Delta flights (Medallion Miles aka MQMs), which includes complimentary Sky Club access, unlimited upgrades on paid tickets for you and a companion, and waived redeposit/reissue fees. You'll also get a 20,000 point bonus each anniversary year. That will take some of the sting out of the mammoth $550 annual fee. This really is a card for VIP status. But it does require big spending. For example, even with the 10,000 MQM sign-up bonus, you still need 25,000 MQMs total to reach Delta's lowest level tier (Silver). This is within reach if you're willing to spend $30,000 within a calendar year, at which point Delta will give you 15,000 MQMs. Status might be important to you if you're a regular Delta flyer.

Check out our Delta SkyMiles page for more details on how to best use Delta Points.

Exceptions To The Rule

About Delta SkyMiles

• Delta SkyMiles are super easy to accumulate with American Express cards, whether they're specific for earning SkyMiles or American Express cards that have completely transferable and instant 1:1 ratio Amex points.

Redeeming SkyMiles isn’t difficult, but you might find that their value isn't as high as you'd think -- especially if you do a side-by-side comparison with our personal favorite, United. Delta’s redeeming quality, however, is the fact that they fly to over 325 locations. So sometimes when you want to go somewhere that United doesn't, you’ll find Delta’s got your back.

When Delta removed its online reward charts in 2015, no one was happy. Now, the more flexible you are, the more value you can squeeze out of your Miles -- especially when Delta runs one of its regular award sales that offer some deep discounts in economy and Delta One.

But the real ace up the sleeve here is booking international Business or First Class using alliances like China Eastern or one of their non-alliance partners like Virgin Atlantic. This can be done for fewer points than if you booked directly through the Delta website -- as long as the flight is operated by Delta, Delta Connections or Virgin Atlantic. Searching around for Delta’s flash sales based on region or utilizing one of their partners can get you a pretty impressive trip.

Where Delta SkyMiles Reserve Fits In This Point Ecosystem

Personal Experience