I got serious about points and miles after joining TPG four years ago. Before that I had a couple of cards and didn’t pay much attention to maximizing benefits. Once I started tracking cards and perks, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card quickly became one of the most useful in my wallet. If you’re considering it, here’s why I keep it and how I extract the most value.
Airport lounges and in-flight perks
The Reserve card includes complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges and American Express Centurion Lounges when you travel on a same-day, Delta-operated or -marketed flight. (Centurion access requires purchasing the Delta ticket with the Reserve card.) I visit a lounge almost every time I fly; it’s a quiet place to work, rest, and grab a snack before departure.
Perks I use most often:
– Four one-time Sky Club guest passes each year on account renewal so I can bring family or friends.
– 15 Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits if you spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year). You can track visits through Delta’s app.
– First checked bag free for the cardmember and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.
– Priority boarding, discounts on onboard purchases and award redemptions, and a statement credit for Global Entry ($120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4½ years).
Welcome offer and value
The Reserve is currently offering one of its largest-ever welcome bonuses: up to 125,000 bonus miles after meeting two spending thresholds (100,000 miles after $6,000 spent in the first six months, plus an additional 25,000 miles after a total of $9,000 spent in that period). Using recent valuations that put SkyMiles around 1.25 cents each, 125,000 miles are roughly worth $1,560. The card’s annual fee is $650.
I’ve used bonus miles for positioning flights to Belgium and Germany and to help cover family airfare to Disneyland — the welcome bonus made those trips noticeably cheaper and left room in the budget to splurge elsewhere.
Statement credits worth tracking
Delta has added several recurring credits to its co-branded cards. They take a little tracking, but if you monitor them (I keep everything on a spreadsheet) they add real value:
– Up to $10 per month in ride-hailing credits (up to $120/year; enrollment required; valid with select U.S. ride services).
– Up to $200 annually for Delta Stays on eligible hotel bookings made through Delta Stays and paid with the Reserve card.
– Up to $20 per month at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $240/year; enrollment required). Where eligible restaurants are limited, buying gift cards or finding eligible locations while traveling can help you use this credit.
Award redemptions and partner options
SkyMiles are usable on Delta and many partners (Air France, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and others), which provides flexibility when routing or timing is important. Delta’s award calendar makes it easy to search flexible dates, and the Reserve includes a 15% discount on award redemptions for Delta-operated flights, stretching miles further.
Annual companion certificate
Each card anniversary brings a companion certificate for one round-trip ticket within the U.S. (all 50 states) and to destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. When you buy a round-trip First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin ticket, the certificate lets a companion fly on the same itinerary for just taxes and fees. I’ve used mine for trips to New York and to Disney World — it turns otherwise expensive fares into much better value.
Bottom line
For someone who frequently flies Delta, the Reserve’s lounge access, checked-bag benefit for up to eight travelers, companion certificate, and the suite of statement credits make it a standout travel card — even if its raw earning rate isn’t the most generous. It’s best for people who will use the travel perks enough to offset the $650 annual fee.
If you want the full details, read a complete review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and review the card’s current terms and fees before applying.