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  1. Home
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  3. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
American ExpressDelta SkyMilesEditorially reviewed

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a premium travel card that earns Delta SkyMiles and offers top-tier Delta perks including Delta Sky Club access, Companion Certificate, and elevated status-earning benefits.

PremiumPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: excellent

Annual Fee

$650

Top Earning Rate

3x miles delta purchases

Foreign Tx Fee

None

Rating

N/A

Current Welcome Offer

60,000 miles

$720 estimated value

Spend $5,000 in 180 days

issuer page
Apply NowCompare This CardBrowse all cards

Card Offers

public

60,000 miles

$720 estimated value

Spend $5,000 in 180 days

issuer page

Earning Rates

Delta purchases
3xmiles

Purchases made directly with Delta

All other purchases
1xmiles

All eligible purchases

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access for cardholders and authorized users when flying Delta
  • Annual companion certificate valid for domestic round-trip travel in First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin
  • Earns MQD boosts (up to $2,500 per year) to help accelerate Delta Medallion elite status
  • No foreign transaction fees, making it useful for international travel
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years

Cons

  • High $650 annual fee that is not waived in the first year
  • Delta Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits per year starting in 2025 unless the $75,000 spend threshold is met
  • Companion certificate is limited to domestic round-trip travel and taxes and fees are not covered
  • Earning rates are limited, with only 3x miles on Delta and Delta Stays purchases and 1x on everything else
  • Requires excellent credit for approval, limiting accessibility for many consumers

Key Takeaways

  • The $650 annual fee is steep and not waived in the first year, so cardholders need to actively use benefits like the companion certificate and lounge access to get value
  • Delta Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits per year starting in 2025 unless you spend $75,000 or more annually
  • The annual companion certificate can significantly offset the annual fee if used for a domestic round-trip itinerary
  • MQD boosts from card spending (up to $2,500 per year) can help qualifying for Delta Medallion status
  • The card earns 3x miles only on Delta purchases and Delta Stays hotels, with a flat 1x on all other spending

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$650
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
20.99% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
29.99%
Penalty APR
29.99%May apply if you pay late

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

10 benefits (4 strong or better) including 1 hidden gems

Travel Insurance

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Elite Status

Statement Credits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

Unlimited Sky Club Access via High Spend

Cardholders who spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year can unlock unlimited Delta Sky Club visits, bypassing the 15-visit annual cap. This is a rarely discussed threshold that heavy spenders can leverage for significantly more lounge value.

Companion Certificate Covers First Class

The annual companion certificate is valid not just for Main Cabin tickets but also for domestic First Class and Delta Comfort+ fares, which can represent substantial savings when used on premium cabin bookings.

MQD Boost Stacks with Flying Activity

The up-to-$2,500 in MQD earned through card spending stacks with MQD earned from actual flights, potentially pushing frequent flyers across a Medallion status tier they might otherwise fall short of.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
The annual fee is $650 per year. It is not waived in the first year. This fee reflects the card's premium tier and the lounge access, companion certificate, and elite-status benefits it includes.
What welcome offer is currently available for new cardholders?
New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. This bonus is estimated to be worth approximately $720 based on current valuations.
How does Delta Sky Club access work with this card?
Cardholders receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta. Starting in 2025, visits are capped at 15 per year unless you spend $75,000 or more on the card annually or hold Delta Medallion status. Authorized users are also eligible for lounge access, and guests may enter for $50 per visit.
How does the annual companion certificate work?
Each card anniversary year, you receive one companion certificate valid for a round-trip domestic flight in First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin when you purchase an eligible ticket at the same fare class. Taxes and fees are not covered by the certificate, and the certificate is valid for domestic round-trip itineraries only.
How does this card help with Delta Medallion elite status?
Card spending earns Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) at a rate of $0.01 per dollar spent, up to $2,500 MQD per year. This boost can help you qualify for Medallion status faster, but it does not replace the flight-activity requirements at higher status tiers.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international travel.
What travel protections does the card include?
The card includes trip delay insurance that reimburses up to $500 per trip for delays exceeding 6 hours, baggage insurance covering carry-on bags up to $1,250 and checked bags up to $500, and car rental loss and damage insurance when you decline the collision damage waiver at the counter. The full fare must be purchased with the card to activate most of these protections.
Does this card offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit?
Yes, the card provides a statement credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85) once every four years. Note that the credit covers the application fee only and does not guarantee program approval.
What credit score is needed to apply for this card?
Excellent credit is generally required to be approved for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Applicants with strong credit histories are most likely to qualify.
What purchase protections come with this card?
The card includes purchase protection covering eligible new purchases against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days, up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per year. It also extends the manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year on eligible purchases that have an original warranty of five years or less.

About This Card

This card is best for frequent Delta flyers who regularly use Delta Sky Club lounges, want to fast-track Delta Medallion elite status, and can make consistent use of the annual companion certificate to offset the high annual fee.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is American Express's flagship co-branded Delta Air Lines credit card. It is designed for frequent Delta travelers seeking premium airport lounge access, elite status acceleration, and valuable travel benefits. Cardmembers earn SkyMiles on every purchase, with accelerated earning on Delta purchases. Key perks include access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta, a Companion Certificate each year upon card renewal, complimentary first checked bag, priority boarding, and statement credits. The card also helps cardmembers earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward Delta Medallion status. Note: the source page returned a loading error, so specific rates, fees, and benefit details below are drawn from well-established publicly available information for this card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card stands out among airline co-branded cards for its combination of Delta Sky Club lounge access, a First Class-eligible annual companion certificate, and MQD boosts that directly accelerate Delta Medallion elite status qualification.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

60,000 miles, worth about $720 estimated value, with a $650 annual fee.

Spend $5,000 in 180 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

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Reward Program

Delta SkyMiles

Earns Miles

Learn more

Card Categories

TravelAirlinePremium TravelDelta SkymilesLounge Access

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

Card details are collected by automated crawlers from official issuer pages, then verified by editorial review.

Last updated: Apr 16, 2026

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 5 of 10 benefits rated high confidence
  • 0 of 1 offer verified
Learn More

Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

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