The Complete Guide to the Exceptional Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card in 2023

An in-depth review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card by American Express. Learn about the rewards, benefits, fees, and if this premium travel card is worth it for Delta Flyers.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is a premium travel rewards credit card tailored specifically for frequent Delta Air Lines travelers. With a $550 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers a robust set of Delta-specific perks and airline lounge access to make your travel experience more enjoyable.

While the card has its benefits, it also has some drawbacks that consumers should weigh before applying. Let's take a closer look at what this airline co-branded card offers and whether it's worth the annual fee for your needs.

An Overview of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is best suited for road warriors who fly Delta frequently throughout the year. Key benefits include:

• Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in the first 6 months.
• Delta Sky Club Access: Receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges when flying Delta. Beginning 2/1/25, access will be limited to 10 visits per year unless you spend $75,000+ on the card annually.
• Centurion Lounge Access: Get complimentary access to Amex's Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket purchased on your Reserve card.
• Annual Companion Certificate: Receive a domestic companion certificate each cardmember year for main cabin, Delta Comfort+ or first class travel. You'll pay taxes and fees of up to $80.
• First Checked Bag Free: Get your first checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation. Saves up to $30 per bag.
• Priority Boarding: Board early in the Main Cabin 1 group on Delta flights.
• Status Boost: Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) for every $30,000 spent, up to 4 times per year. Ends 1/1/24.
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Get a fee credit for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) enrollment.

Other key details include 3x miles on Delta purchases, 20% back on in-flight Delta purchases, and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).

Next, let's take a closer look at the card's rewards and benefits to see where it shines for Delta flyers.

Earning and Redeeming Miles with the Delta Reserve Card

The Delta Reserve card offers the following rewards rates:

• 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
• 1x mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases

While 3x miles on Delta purchases is decent, it's not industry-leading. You can find other travel cards that offer 3x or more points on airfare and hotels, along with bonuses for dining and other categories.

However, the Delta Reserve card does offer a unique perk: You can earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $30,000 in a calendar year, up to 4 times per year. This helps frequent Delta flyers unlock elite Medallion status faster.

Keep in mind this MQM bonus will no longer be available starting 1/1/24 when Delta overhauls its Medallion program. At that point, cardholders will earn toward status exclusively through Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

When it comes to redeeming SkyMiles, Delta moved to dynamic award pricing in 2015. This means there are no published award charts and prices fluctuate based on demand. In general, expect to pay:

• Domestic economy flights: 10,000-25,000 miles
• Domestic first class: 20,000-50,000 miles
• International Economy: 30,000-70,000 miles
• International business/first class: 70,000-300,000+ miles

Tip: Refer to the Delta SkyMiles Deals page for sales on award tickets to specific regions. Act fast, as these are limited-time offers.

You can also redeem SkyMiles for flights on Delta's SkyTeam airline partners, including KLM, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic among others. This opens up additional redemption options to more global destinations.

Valuable Travel Perks and Credits

Where the Delta Reserve card truly shines is with its travel benefits tailored specifically for Delta flyers:

Delta Sky Club Access

When flying Delta, you can access the airline's Sky Club airport lounges by showing your Reserve card and same-day boarding pass. These lounges offer comfortable seating, free food and drinks, WiFi, and other amenities.

Currently, access is unlimited when flying Delta. However, starting 2/1/25 cardholders will be limited to 10 Sky Club visits per year. To retain unlimited access, you'll need to spend at least $75,000 in eligible purchases on the card each calendar year.

You can also bring up to 2 guests at a rate of $50 per person. As of 1/1/24, Basic Economy ticket holders will no longer have access to Sky Clubs regardless of credit card.

Complimentary Centurion Lounge Access

In addition to Sky Club access when flying Delta, the Reserve card offers complimentary entry to Amex's growing network of Centurion Lounges. There are currently over 20 locations in the U.S. and abroad.

To enter, you must be flying Delta with a ticket booked on your Reserve card. Up to 2 guests can join for $50 each. This provides an additional lounge network to take advantage of.

Annual Companion Certificate

Each cardmember year upon renewal, you'll receive a domestic companion certificate valid for round-trip Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class travel. To use this, you must book a revenue ticket for yourself, and redeem the certificate for a companion fare.

You'll still need to pay taxes and fees up to $80 for your companion's ticket. While not free, this perk can easily offset the annual fee if used wisely. Be sure to book high-demand routes to maximize the value.

First Checked Bag Free

Check your first bag for free for yourself and up to 8 companions on the same reservation flying on Delta. With checked bag fees typically $30 each way, this perk can save your group a lot of money.

Priority Boarding

Avoid the stress of the later boarding groups by taking advantage of priority boarding on Delta flights. You and your travel companions can board in the Main Cabin 1 group.

Pros and Cons of the Delta Reserve Card

Here are some key advantages and limitations to weigh:

Pros

• Valuable Delta-specific perks like Sky Club access, free checked bag, priority boarding
• Annual companion certificate helps offset annual fee
• Centurion Lounge access expands your lounge benefits
• First class companion fare option with certificate

Cons

• High $550 annual fee
• Restrictions on Delta Sky Club access starting 2/25
• Companion certificate only valid for domestic flights
• Mediocre 3x miles earning rate on Delta purchases
• Dynamic award pricing makes redemptions unpredictable

Overall, the Delta Reserve Card is best suited for loyal Delta flyers who can maximize the airline-specific perks. For everyday spending, you can do better with cards that offer higher rewards across bonus categories.

Alternatives to the Delta Reserve Card

Here are some other cards that frequent Delta flyers may want to consider:

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

• Lower $250 annual fee
• Fewer travel perks than Reserve but still offers a main cabin companion certificate, free checked bag, priority boarding
• Limited access to Delta SkyClubs starting at $50 per visit
• Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and 2x miles at restaurants worldwide

The Platinum Card from American Express

• Higher $695 annual fee
• Complimentary access to Delta SkyClubs when flying Delta
• Access to Amex Centurion Lounges and broader Priority Pass network
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits each cardmember year
• Luxury benefits like hotel elite status and Fine Hotels + Resorts program

American Express Gold Card

• $250 annual fee
• No Delta perks or lounge access
• Earn 4x on dining and groceries (up to $25k per year)
• 3x points on airfare booked directly with airlines
• Points transfer to Delta SkyMiles and other partners

The Platinum Card and Gold Card earn Membership Rewards points, which are more valuable and flexible than Delta miles. But you miss out on the airline-specific perks.

Comparison Table

The Delta Reserve Card: Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Get It

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is a solid option if:

• You fly Delta frequently throughout the year
• You can take advantage of Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access
• You'll use the annual companion certificate to offset the annual fee
• You visit high-traffic airports where lounges are convenient

However, casual Delta flyers or those with limited lounge access should look at alternative cards. The high annual fee is harder to justify if you won't maximize the airline perks and credits.

For instance, a card like the American Express Gold Card offers strong bonus categories for dining and groceries that make sense for everyday spending. Just be aware you won't get Delta-specific benefits.

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The Bottom Line on the Delta Reserve Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card offers robust benefits for loyal Delta flyers who are on the road regularly. Between Sky Club access, an annual companion certificate, a free checked bag, and other perks, it's easy to get over $550 in value from this airline co-branded card.

Yet it also has limitations like restrictive lounge access rules starting in 2025 and dynamic award pricing. So you need to closely evaluate your travel habits and preferences to determine if the high annual fee is worthwhile.

For Delta devotees who live on the road, the Delta Reserve Card can make air travel more comfortable and rewarding. But more casual travelers likely have better options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)