Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card — Full Review [2023]

Great Card If

• You are a frequent flyer and Delta loyalist
• You want Delta Sky Club access

Don’t Get If

• You are not a frequent traveler
• You don’t fly with Delta

Delta Reserve Card — Is It Worth It?

If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, the Delta Reserve card might just be a must-have card for you.

Thanks to its status boost ability, the card is a great option for those looking to qualify or re-qualify for high levels of Delta elite status. Plus, it offers complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access — a huge benefit for frequent travelers.*

When you factor in the rest of the card’s benefits including the annual companion certificate, free checked bags, access to complimentary upgrades, and more, it’s easy to see how much value the card can offer to Delta flyers.

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Delta Reserve Card Top Benefits

Delta Travel Benefits

The Delta Reserve card is loaded up with benefits that Delta flyers will love.

• Complimentary Lounge Access: Visit Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta. (Effective 2/1/25, Delta Reserve card members will receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.)
• Status Boost: Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to 4 times per year through 12/31/23. (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status.)
• Medallion Qualifying Dollar Waiver: Waive the MQDs requirement towards up to Platinum Medallion elite status after you make at least $25,000 in purchases in a year through 12/31/23.
• Annual Companion Certificate: Receive up to a domestic first class round-trip companion certificate each year you renew your card, including taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights.
• Complimentary Upgrades: You’ll be added to the upgrade list on flights, even if you don’t have Delta status.
• Upgrade Priority: Receive priority on the upgrade list for holding the Delta Reserve card over other flyers with the same status level as you.
• Free Checked Bag: Get your first checked bag free for you and up to 8 traveling companions on the same flight.
• Get 20% Back on Inflight Purchases: Applies to food, beverages, and audio headsets.

Card Protections

• Trip Delay Insurance: If your flight is delayed by more than 6 hours, you can receive up to $500 in coverage towards items including food and lodging.
• Trip Cancellation Insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason, you can receive up to up to $10,000 per trip, up to $20,000 per year, in coverage for non-refundable expenses.
• Rental Car Insurance: The card’s secondary insurance coverage covers accidental damage or theft of your rental car.
• Baggage Insurance: If a carrier loses your luggage, you’re covered for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.
• Return Protection: If the merchant you purchased an item from won’t accept a return within 90 days, you can receive coverage of up to $300 per item, up to $1,000 per year.
• Purchase Protection: If an item is lost or damaged within 90 days of purchase, you can receive up to $10,000 in coverage per occurrence, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
• Extended Warranty: Adds 1 year of warranty coverage to warranties of 5 years or less.

Alternative Cards to the Delta Reserve Card

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

If you’re not totally committed to Delta, but still want a card that offers premium perks, then the Amex Platinum card could be the one for you.

It still offers access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs, but also takes that a step further by offering you access to several other airport lounge networks including Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounges.

Sure, the card has a steep annual fee of , but when you consider the amount of value you can get from the annual credits, it’s easy to see how you might come out way ahead by holding the card.

See our detailed comparison of the Amex Platinum card vs. the Delta Reserve card.

Business Owner?Check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card.

We’ve also compared the Delta Reserve card to other popular cards:

• Delta Reserve card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• Delta Reserve card vs. Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta Reserve card vs. Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.