Over the last few years, we’ve seen card issuers ramp up competition in the credit card space. While most co-branded hotel credit cards offer great value propositions since their premium card products offer instant elite status, their airline counterparts operate slightly differently. However, if you’re loyal to an airline, then you can still go a long way towards earning airline elite status by carrying the right credit card in your wallet. For people who frequently fly Delta, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is one such card.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is the top of the drawer consumer card in Amex’s suite of co-branded Delta credit cards. While it carries an annual fee of $650, it provides a great deal of value for Delta loyalists who are:
- Looking to earn and/or re-qualify for Delta elite status
- Frequently access airports that have a Delta SkyClub lounge
Welcome Bonus
With this limited time offer, you’ll earn a welcome bonus of up to 125,000 Delta SkyMiles. This bonus is tiered as follows:
- You’ll earn 100,000 miles after you spend $6,000 in the first six months
- You’ll earn another 25,000 miles after you spend another $3,000 during the same time period
This offer is valid until July 15, 2026.
Click here for the 125,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles offer
Earning Miles
This card has a simple mileage earning structure that rewards you for purchases you make with Delta.
- 3x miles for each dollar you spend with Delta directly
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Elite Status
You can fast track your way to elite status when you get a little bit of a bump via credit card spend. With this card, you will get the following benefits:
- MQD Headstart: During each Medallion Qualification year, cardholders get $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year
- MQD Boost: For every $10 you spend on your card, you will earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar
Lounge Access
This benefit can be extremely valuable if your home airport is a Delta hub or you fly frequently to one that is. Here’s how the benefits work:
- You will get complimentary access to Amex’s centurion lounges globally. However, you will need to book your Delta flight with your Reserve card
- You’ll get complimentary access to Delta SkyClubs. Moreover, you will get 4 one-time guest passes each year
However, Amex has now stopped offering unlimited visits. Maximum complimentary visits will be capped at 15 per calendar year. Instead, you can earn unlimited SkyClub visits in the subsequent year when you spend $75,000 or more in the previous calendar year. If you visit Delta SkyClub lounges more than 15 times a year, then this is definitely a devaluation going forward.
Statement Credits: $590
In addition to the above benefits, you’ll also enjoy the following credits:
- $200 credit when you book with Delta stays. In order yo qualify, you need to book a prepaid hotel or vacation rental booking when you book via delta.com/stays
- $240 dining credit with Resy: You can earn $20 each month when you make qualifying purchases at US restaurants via the Resy platform
- $120 Rideshare credit: You can earn a maximum of $10 in Rideshare credit each month, when you make qualifying purchases with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel and Alto
- $120 in fee credits every 4 years for Global Entry/TSA Pre Check
Benefits
In addition to statement credits, you’ll also get a suite of benefits with this card:
- 15% off: A 15% discount on Delta operated flights when you book via Delta.com
- Free checked baggage: Your first checked bag is free for you and your travel companions (up to a maximum of 9 waivers per reservation). Moreover, you’ll also enjoy baggage insurance covering your luggage for theft, loss or damage
- Car Rental Status: You will enjoy complimentary car rental elite status as cardmembers get upgraded to Hertz President Circle status upon enrollment
- 20% discount: You’ll enjoy a 20% discount in the form of statement credits for in-flight purchases of food and beverages on Delta flights
- Cell phone protection: If your cell phone is lost or damaged, you’ll earn reimbursement, subject to certain restrictions, up to $800 per claim, with a maximum of 2 approved claims in a 12 month period. You will need to pay your phone bill with your card in order to qualify. For each claim, a $50 deductible will apply
- Companion Certificate: Each cardmember year, you’ll enjoy one companion certificate after you renew your card. However, the use of this certificate is restricted to certain flights and regions
Enjoy a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card.*‡
Recent Updates
On June 5, 2026, American Express added a new benefit to the card, making some minor tweaks to the value proposition. You can read all the details here:
- 2nd checked bag free, only on Domestic flights operated by Delta
- Amex has now tweaked the design, adding a new option for consumer and business versions of their top of the line Reserve cards
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Delta SkyMiles® American Express partnership, the new benefit enhancements are complemented by updated Card designs, including a new Slate Grey option for Reserve and Reserve Business Cards.
Additional Perks
For many of their premium credit card products, Amex offers an impressive suite of ancillary benefits and this card is no different.
- Car Rental loss and damage insurance
- Trip cancellation, delay and interruption insurance
- Global Dining access with Resy
- Shoprunner benefits (free 2 day shipping)
- Purchase protection, return protection and extended warranty
- Concierge service
The Pundit’s Mantra
As stated at the outset, this card is a fantastic fit for people who frequently visit Delta SkyClub lounges and are looking to earn or re-qualify for Delta elite status. However, given the high annual fee, you can only make the most of its benefits if you fly Delta frequently and visit their lounges quite often.
The 125,000 miles welcome bonus is a nice icing on the cake if you’re looking to sign up for the card right now.
Apply Now for the 125,000 Delta SkyMiles Offer
If this card isn’t the right fit for you, then American Express is offering limited time welcome bonuses on many of their co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit cards. You can earn 90,000 miles from a single credit card bonus and pay no annual fee for the first year.
| Card Name + Application Link —> | Delta SkyMiles Gold Card | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve | Delta SkyMiles Gold Card (Business) | Delta SkyMiles Platinum (Business) American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve (Business) |
| Welcome Bonus | 90,000 Miles | 100,000 Miles | 125,000 Miles | 90,000 Miles | 100,000 Miles | 125,000 Miles |
| Minimum Spend Required in 6 Months | $5,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 | $6,000 | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Annual Fee | $0 Intro Fee, then $150 | $350 | $650 | $0 Intro Fee, then $150 | $350 | $650 |
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Credit Card Offers
American Express Business Credit Cards
- Earn up to 300,000 Membership Rewards points with the Business Platinum Card
- Earn up to 200,000 Membership Rewards points with the Business Gold Card by American Express
Chase Sapphire Cards
- 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points up for grabs with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card!
- Earn 150,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Earn 150,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card for Business Card
- Chase Ink Business Preferred Card offering a limited time welcome bonus of 100,000 points
Hilton Honors
- Pay No Annual Fee, Earn 100,000 points & $100 with the Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Earn 130,000 points & Pay No Annual Fee For the First Year with the Hilton Surpass Card
- Earn 175,000 points and 1 free night with the Hilton Aspire Card
- Hilton Business Card: Earn 130,000 points, pay $0 in annual fee for the first year!
Marriott Bonvoy
