Why the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is one of the best cards in my wallet

My foray into the world of credit cards, points and miles began when I joined TPG a few years ago. I had a couple of cards before working here, but I didn't give much thought to which card to use or when or how to maximize the benefits.

Now that I am surrounded by credit card experts every day, my strategy has changed drastically. I've added about four new cards to my wallet and even made a spreadsheet to ensure I use the right card for the right purchases.

Of those new cards, my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has provided some of the most useful benefits. And if you apply right now, you are eligible for this card's highest offer ever.

Here are five reasons I love this card and how I get the most out of it.

Perks when flying Delta

I actually hadn't stepped foot into an airport lounge until I began working at TPG, but this card comes with complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges and American Express Centurion Lounges* when traveling on a same-day, Delta-operated or -marketed flight. Now, I get to visit a lounge almost every time I fly.

*You must purchase your flight with your Reserve card for Centurion Lounge access.

Having a quiet space to work or rest during a layover is a game changer. Or, if I am being a responsible adult and get to the airport early, I can grab a bite to eat or a drink before my flight without paying the high airport prices.

With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I also get four one-time Sky Club guest passes each year upon account renewal, allowing me to bring family members or friends to the lounge with me when we travel together.

Delta Reserve cardmembers are limited to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year), but it's easy for me to track my visits in the Delta app. Centurion Lounge visits are unlimited (must purchase your Delta flight with your Reserve card), so even if I were to use all 15 of my Sky Club visits, I could still head over there.

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In addition to lounge access, I get my first checked bag free (this extends to up to eight passengers traveling with me, so it's a huge perk when traveling with my husband and three kids), priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases and award redemptions. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve also provides a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($120 every 4 years with Global Entry or up to $85 every 4½ years with TSA PreCheck), so I can breeze through the airport every time I fly.

Welcome offer

Right now, the Delta Reserve Amex offers new cardmembers the ability to earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Per TPG's October 2025 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents each, making this bonus worth $840. The card comes with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).

After earning the bonus, I redeemed some miles to book positioning flights for my first big award redemption trip to Belgium and Germany with my husband.

A few months later, I also used some of the points to bring my family along on a work trip to Disneyland. The cost of flights when all five of us fly together can add up quickly. The welcome bonus I earned with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a huge help in keeping our flight expenses down so we could splurge a bit during our travels.

Useful statement credits

Last year, Delta added monthly and annual statement credits on its cobranded cards, including the Delta Reserve Amex. I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of tracking statement credits, but I want to maximize my card's value, so I try my best to plug them all into a spreadsheet and keep it up to date.

The easiest to use is up to $10 in monthly ride-hailing statement credits. There isn't a month that goes by that I don't use Lyft or Uber at least once. (Credit valid on select ride-hailing services in the U.S.; enrollment required.)

My card also comes with up to $200 in Delta Stays credits each year. My husband travels almost weekly for work, so we have several opportunities to use this credit on one of his eligible hotel stays. All he has to do is book through the Delta Stays website and pay with the Delta Reserve Amex to earn this benefit.

Related: How I get this monthly credit on my Delta Amex without even trying

This card also earns me up to $20 in monthly statement credits for use at U.S. Resy restaurants (enrollment required). There aren't a ton of eligible restaurants in my area, so I don't always remember to use this one. However, I have gotten creative by purchasing gift cards to eligible restaurants and checking for eligible dining locations when I travel. Most months, I find a way to use it, even if it takes a bit of virtual legwork on my end.

Flexible award redemptions

When I've searched for Delta SkyMiles redemptions, I've been impressed with my options. You can redeem SkyMiles for Delta flights (as I've done) and for flights on partner airlines like Air France, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. This opens up a ton of flight choices.

I also like how Delta displays its award pricing. In the above example, I entered flexible dates in November for a round-trip flight between my home airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO).

In addition to viewing the prices for my dates, Delta displays pricing for alternate date combinations. You can get an even better redemption value if your dates are flexible. Some airlines make finding the best award availability difficult, so I appreciate Delta's easy-to-use calendar.

My card also gives me a 15% discount on award flights, allowing me to stretch my miles even further.

Annual companion certificate

With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I get an annual companion certificate added to my account each year after my anniversary date. The companion certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket within the U.S. (all 50 states) as well as to destinations in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

When you purchase a round-trip first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin ticket, you can use the certificate to have a companion fly with you for free. You only have to pay the taxes and fees on the second ticket.

I used my first companion certificate to get my oldest son and me to New York before flying to Paris. This year, I used it to fly my husband with me to Disney World for a runDisney race.

Bottom line

Applying for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a no-brainer for someone still relatively new to points and miles. While not the most lucrative points earner, the earning structure is simple. But that's not the real reason I love this card.

As someone who often flies Delta, the perks like lounge access, a free checked bag and an annual companion certificate are unmatched.

To learn more, read our full review of the Delta Reserve.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve please click here.