Is the Delta Reserve Amex worth the annual fee?
Editor's Note
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the most premium cobranded card Amex and Delta Air Lines offer and features a steep annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).
When a card asks you to pay this much to keep it, you should receive premium benefits and outsize value in return.
Let's take a closer look to determine whether the Delta Reserve card is worth the annual fee.
Welcome offer
New Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardmembers can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This limited-time offer ends on Oct. 29.
TPG's October 2025 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents per mile, making this offer worth $1,500.
Not everyone may be eligible for a welcome offer on this card, especially if you're upgrading from other SkyMiles Amex cards. You may also be ineligible if you've earned a welcome bonus on this card before.
Fortunately, American Express will inform you if you aren't able to earn this card's welcome offer before performing a hard pull on your credit.
Earning rates
The Delta Reserve card earns Delta SkyMiles at the following rates:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on all Delta purchases
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Per TPG's valuations, these rates equate to a 3.6% and 1.2% return on spending, respectively.
Other cards have a higher return on spending than 1.2% on everyday spending, but if you're a Delta frequent flyer, this card can be a great choice for those purchases. Its other benefits help offset its annual fee.
Related: Best premium credit cards
Earn Medallion status faster
The Delta Reserve comes with a helpful way to qualify for Medallion status.
For every $10 you spend, you will earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD). Additionally, cardmembers receive a bonus of 2,500 MQDs every Medallion Qualification Year.
This is a great way to get a jump-start on earning Medallion elite status.
Related: Sit up front: The ultimate guide to getting upgraded on Delta flights
Useful statement credits
Ride-hailing statement credit
Delta Reserve cardmembers can earn a monthly up-to-$10 statement credit (up to $120 every calendar year) after using their card to pay for an eligible ride-hailing service. This statement credit is valid on select ride-hailing services in the U.S. Enrollment is required.
Resy statement credits
Food lovers will appreciate that the Delta Reserve offers monthly up-to-$20 Resy statement credits (up to $240 per calendar year). Cardmembers can receive these statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required.
Any restaurant on Resy is eligible for this statement credit if you pay using your Delta Reserve card. No reservation is required.
Note that a restaurant must be live on the Resy platform at the time of purchase to count for your statement credit.
Delta Stays statement credit
Delta Reserve cardmembers receive a statement credit of up to $200 per calendar year for Delta Stays bookings. You must book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta to receive this statement credit.
If used to its maximum value, this can get you one to two nights at no cost at a hotel or vacation home (depending on the destination's cost).
Lounge access
Delta Reserve cardmembers have limited access to Delta Sky Clubs. Keep in mind that you won't be allowed in the lounge if you're flying on a basic economy ticket, even if you're a Delta Reserve cardmember.
You'll receive 15 visits to Delta Sky Clubs annually through your Delta Reserve. Once you've used all 15 visits, you can use your card to purchase one-time passes for $50.
However, if you spend over $75,000 on the card in 2025, you'll receive unlimited visits in 2026. This will continue year by year moving forward if you continue to meet the spending requirement each year. Cardmembers also receive four guest passes per year.
Once you've used these guest passes, you'll need to pay $50 per guest per visit. This fee is reduced to $25 per guest if you're visiting a Delta Grab and Go location.
Cardmembers receive access to Centurion Lounges or Escape lounges if they're flying on a Delta flight booked with their Reserve card. This access is unlimited for the cardmember.
For Centurion Lounges, cardmembers may bring up to two guests for $50 per adult and $30 per child aged 2-17.
Guest rates for Escape lounges vary by location, so make sure to check the policy of a given lounge before your trip. Note that guests must be flying on a same-day Delta flight to access Centurion Lounges or Escape lounges.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Companion certificate
Delta Reserve cardmembers get a companion certificate each year after renewal. This companion certificate allows you to buy two round-trip tickets for the price of one, plus taxes and fees between $22 and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights.
This companion certificate is valid in first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin on round-trip flights in the U.S., Central America and the Caribbean.
If you use this certificate on a first-class ticket, you can recoup the cost of the annual fee from this benefit alone. Alternatively, you can get outsize value by using it to travel in the Main Cabin to a popular destination during peak season.
Other benefits
The Delta Reserve card comes with myriad other useful benefits, such as:
- Complimentary upgrades: Cardmembers who don't have Delta SkyMiles Medallion status are eligible to receive complimentary upgrades for Delta One (within the 50 U.S. States), first class and Comfort after Medallion members
- 15% off all Delta-operated award flights in any cabin of service
- Priority boarding in Zone 5
- Free checked bags (first bag free for the cardmember and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation)
- A $120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up to an $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years
- 20% back on eligible inflight purchases of food and drink (inflight Wi-Fi purchases not included)
- Travel protections
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: Your complete guide to shopping protections on American Express cards
Bottom line
The Delta Reserve card is the top-tier card in the Delta SkyMiles Amex family. It offers lounge access and other perks, such as a valuable companion certificate.
If you're a Delta loyalist and value Sky Club access and a faster path to Medallion elite status, this card can be a great addition to your wallet. Its numerous benefits can help offset the card's high annual fee.
If you don't fly Delta frequently, however, there are other cards you should consider adding to your wallet instead.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta Reserve card.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 17X | Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card. |
| 3X | Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. |
| 2X | 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless carries a $95 annual fee but offers plenty of ways to get more value from it year after year. You’ll get automatic Silver elite status, which awards 10% bonus points on stays, and enjoy a pathway to Gold status (with 15 elite night credits each year) to lock in some even better benefits. Cardholders also receive an annual free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points) each cardmember anniversary. Those who can maximize this certificate can lock in a room with a rate far exceeding the $95 annual fee.Pros
- Annual free night certificate (up to 35,000 points) each cardmember anniversary
- Automatic Silver elite status with a pathway to Gold
Cons
- There are better Marriott cards if you want higher tier status or no annual fee
- Earn 125,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after qualifying purchases.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC
Rewards Rate
| 17X | Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card. |
| 3X | Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. |
| 2X | 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 125,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Free Night Award valued up to 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.125K Points + 1 Free NightAnnual Fee
$95Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Good Credit, Excellent Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless carries a $95 annual fee but offers plenty of ways to get more value from it year after year. You’ll get automatic Silver elite status, which awards 10% bonus points on stays, and enjoy a pathway to Gold status (with 15 elite night credits each year) to lock in some even better benefits. Cardholders also receive an annual free night certificate (worth up to 35,000 points) each cardmember anniversary. Those who can maximize this certificate can lock in a room with a rate far exceeding the $95 annual fee.Pros
- Annual free night certificate (up to 35,000 points) each cardmember anniversary
- Automatic Silver elite status with a pathway to Gold
Cons
- There are better Marriott cards if you want higher tier status or no annual fee
- Earn 125,000 Bonus Points + 1 Free Night Award after qualifying purchases.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don't expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
- Member FDIC