Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is offering 100,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months with a $650 annual fee.. That's up 30,000 points over their standard offer of 70,000 points after spending $5000 in 6 months. Offer expires 04/02/2025
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve personal card is an excellent choice for anyone who flies Delta multiple times a year. Its first-class companion certificate, along with access to Delta SkyClub Lounges and Centurion Lounges, can offer significant value. The card also comes with various credits that help justify its high annual fee of $650, particularly for loyal Delta flyers. Although the welcome bonus of 70,000 points is solid, note that higher offers of 100,000 miles have appeared before. Because this is an American Express card, you may want to wait for a better offer if you haven’t received a bonus for it before, as you won’t be eligible for another sign-up bonus in the future.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you’re loyal to Delta and fly with them often, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers plenty of perks that make the $650 annual fee worthwhile. You can currently earn a 70,000 sign-up bonus by spending $5,000 in the first six months, but offers as high as 100,000 miles have appeared in the past.
Beyond the welcome bonus, this card is worth keeping for its annual companion certificate, which allows a partner to fly free with you in first class, Comfort+, or the main cabin within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. While you no longer receive unlimited Delta SkyClub access, you do get 15 annual passes and four one-time guest passes. You’ll also receive complimentary entry to the Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve card.
If these benefits aren’t enough to offset the annual fee, the card includes other credits, such as $120 in rideshare credits, $200 in Delta Stay credits, and $240 in Resy credits. You’ll also enjoy a free first checked bag, 15% off award travel, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz Presidential status, complimentary upgrades, and 20% back on in-flight purchases. This card also offers MQDs toward status; however, we typically prioritize earning sign-up bonuses from new cards over spending toward MQD status.
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.
What to Know About Delta SkyMiles
Delta is a good point system for both domestic and international flights.
- Delta offers many cards making initial collection relatively easy. But Amex’s “one bonus per card per lifetime” limits that ability over time.
- Delta is part of the Amex partner reward system and is a decent transfer value.
- We save Delta points for specific flights, perhaps direct domestic or best value international.
- We use easier-to-collect point systems such as Southwest and American ahead of Delta.
How The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Credit Card Fits In The Delta SkyMiles Ecosystem
American Express offers seven Delta-specific credit cards, including three business cards. Of the four personal cards, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve is the top-tier option, with the highest sign-up bonus, the most benefits, and the highest annual fee.
If you fly Delta only once or twice a year, consider the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. Its $350 annual fee is lower, yet it still offers a main-cabin companion certificate and several credits. The Delta SkyMiles Gold card has no companion certificate but includes a waived $150 annual fee for the first year. It can still be useful if you know you’ll fly Delta at least once soon. After your first annual fee appears, though, upgrading to the Platinum or Reserve might make more sense.
Lastly, the Delta SkyMiles Blue credit card has no annual fee, but it only offers a 10,000-mile sign-up bonus and limited benefits, making it less appealing and not worth using a 5/24 slot for.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70,000 | $5,000 | 1.2 ¢ | $310 | $650 |
$560
|
| Best Value | Differentiating Perks | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Delta flights | Delta sky club access, annual companion certificate | Amex 4 Credit , Amex 3/90 , No 5/24 , Amex 1/10 |
Spend Categories
Airfare - »
3X points
3.6¢ Per Dollar Spent
All Other - »
1X points
1.2¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
Lounge Access »
Get unlimited Delta Lounge access, including 2 one-time guest passes annually. Also receive Amex Centurion® access if you book your flight with Delta using your reserve card.
Get unlimited Delta Lounge access, including 2 one-time guest passes annually. Also receive Amex Centurion® access if you book your flight with Delta using your reserve card.
Cell Phone Protection »
Your cell phone will be covered against damage or theft up to $800 — with a $50 deductible — up to $1,000 per 12-month
Your cell phone will be covered against damage or theft up to $800 — with a $50 deductible — up to $1,000 per 12-month
Companion Pass »
Annual companion certificate, which gets you a main cabin, round-trip ticket to any domestic destination for free. Earned each year on anniversary.
Annual companion certificate, which gets you a main cabin, round-trip ticket to any domestic destination for free. Earned each year on anniversary.
TSA Pre Check »
Get up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.
Get up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.
Preferred Boarding »
Get zone 1 priority boarding for up to 9 travelers on the same Delta reservation.
Get zone 1 priority boarding for up to 9 travelers on the same Delta reservation.
Airline Incidentals »
20% Back on In-Flight Purchases, eligible for complimentary seating upgrades.
20% Back on In-Flight Purchases, eligible for complimentary seating upgrades.
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance coverage up to $50,000 in collision damage and theft per incident.
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance coverage up to $50,000 in collision damage and theft per incident.
Travel Insurance »
Lost luggage insurance up to $1,250 on carried-on baggage; lost luggage protection up to $3,000; trip delay protection up to $300; and trip cancellation protection up to $10,000 per trip.
Lost luggage insurance up to $1,250 on carried-on baggage; lost luggage protection up to $3,000; trip delay protection up to $300; and trip cancellation protection up to $10,000 per trip.
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Concierge »
Call 1-800-525-3355 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.
Call 1-800-525-3355 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.
Statement Credits »
Annual statement credit of up to $200 on hotels booked through Delta Stays on delta.com, get up to $10 back each month for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers and and up to $20 per month on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants
Annual statement credit of up to $200 on hotels booked through Delta Stays on delta.com, get up to $10 back each month for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers and and up to $20 per month on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants
Free Checked Bag »
Your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, including up to 9 travel companions on the same reservation. Primary cardholder must be on the reservation.
Your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, including up to 9 travel companions on the same reservation. Primary cardholder must be on the reservation.
Purchase Protection »
You're protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date up to $1,000 ($500 on natural disasters).
You're protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date up to $1,000 ($500 on natural disasters).
Extended Warranty »
Enjoy up to 1 additional year on the original manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less.
Enjoy up to 1 additional year on the original manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less.
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$
Transfer To Friends Yes - $$
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System Delta SkyMiles
Transfers In From
Amex Member Rewards
1:1 86% value retained
IHG Rewards
5:1 40% value retained
Marriott Bonvoy
3:1 57% value retained
World of Hyatt
5:2 30% value retained
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Application Rules
Amex will decline your application if you already have 4 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a fifth
You'll be declined if you apply for a fourth Amex card in 90 days
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card per lifetime (yours or that version of the card)
Ranking of Cards Offering Delta SkyMiles
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
4th
Honorable Mention
Breaking Points
February 6, 2025
Delta SkyMiles Reserve
September 12, 2024
American Express Delta Cards Making a Splash
- Delta Platinum Business - 100,000 miles after spending $8000 in 6 months, $350/annual fee.
- Delta Gold Business - 90,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months, $0/annual fee, then $150/annual fee.
- Delta Reserve Business - 110,000 miles after spending $12000 in 6 months, $650/annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Personal - 90,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months, $350/annual fee.
- Delta Gold Personal - 80,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months, $0/annual fee, then $150/annual fee.
- Delta Reserve - 100,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650/annual fee.
February 13, 2024
Mini Points - February 2024
- IHG Mastercard, earn 165,000 points after spending $3000 in the first 3 months, $99 annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Amex Business, 100,000 points after spending $8000 in the first 6 months, $350 annual fee.
- Delta Gold Amex Business, 80,000 points after spending $6000 in the first 6 months, $0 annual fee, then $150 after first year.
- Delta Reserve Amex Business, 110,000 points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months, $650 annual fee.
- Delta Platinum Amex, 90,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 6 months, $350 annual fee.
- Delta Gold Amex, 70,000 points after spending $3000 in the first 6 months, $150 annual fee.
- Delta Reserve Amex, 100,000 points after spending $6000 in the first 6 months, $650 annual fee.
July 3, 2023
Mini Points - July 2023
- American Express Delta Skymiles Platinum Business - Limited Time Offer - 90,000 Miles after spending $4000 in 3 months, $250 annual fee.
- American Express Delta Skymiles Gold Business - Limited Time Offer - 70,000 Miles after spending $3000 in 3 months, $0 annual fee for the first year then, $99.
- American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve Business - Limited Time Offer - 100,000 Miles after spending $6000 in 3 months, $550 annual fee.
- American Express Delta Skymiles Platinum Personal - Limited Time Offer - 85,000 Miles after spending $4000 in 6 months, $250 annual fee.
- American Express Delta Skymiles Gold Personal - Limited Time Offer - 65,000 Miles after spending $2000 in 6 months, $0 annual fee for the first year then, $99.
- American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve Personal - Limited Time Offer - 85,000 Miles after spending $6000 in 6 months, $550 annual fee.
- Chase Ink Business Preferred - 100,000 Points after spending NEW LOWER $8000 requirement in the first 3 months, $95 annual fee.