Card guide · Delta SkyMiles
Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve
Card guide overview
A premium Delta card with Sky Club access, a Companion Certificate, and MQD Headstart—best for frequent Delta flyers who value lounge access.
Key card attributes
| Issuing bank | Reward currency | Currency type | Network | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex | Delta SkyMiles | Airline Miles | Amex | $650 |
Closest alternatives
At a glance
The card in three decisions.
The Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve is the premium Delta card with a $650 annual fee. Its defining benefit is Delta Sky Club access: the primary cardholder receives complimentary access when flying Delta on a same-day ticket (15 visits per Medallion year, unlimited with $75,000 annual spend). The card also includes an annual Companion Certificate eligible for First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin, Centurion Lounge access on same-day Delta flights, 2,500 MQD Headstart, a free first checked bag, and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding.
Compared to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum ($350): the Reserve adds Sky Club access, Centurion Lounge access, and a First Class-eligible Companion Certificate for $300 more per year. If you would pay for Sky Club membership separately ($695 for an individual membership), the Reserve effectively costs less than the membership alone. But the earning structure is weak at 3X Delta / 1X elsewhere — this is a benefits card, not an earning card. Only frequent Delta flyers who will use Sky Club access regularly should keep this card. For anyone who flies Delta fewer than 6–8 times per year, the $350 Platinum is the better value. We rate Keeper Card 3/5 — the $650 fee requires frequent Delta-specific usage to justify year after year.
Best fit
Frequent Delta flyers who value Sky Club access
If you fly Delta often and would pay for Sky Club access separately, the Reserve bundles it with a First Class-eligible Companion Certificate and status benefits. Only frequent Delta flyers should keep this card — the $650 fee is not recoverable for infrequent travelers.
Current timing
Up to 100K is an elevated offer
$5,000 spend in 6 months for up to 100K miles. The combination of a high bonus and first-year benefits creates strong first-year value.
Main watchout
Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits per Medallion year
Cardmembers receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion year (a Visit covers Sky Club usage during a 24-hour period on eligible same-day travel). Unlimited Sky Club access requires $75,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year. Guests are not complimentary—there is a per-visit guest fee. Sky Club access policies have tightened in recent years.
Current & historical offer
Up to 100K is an elevated offer.
We compare public offers with public offers.
Timing assessment
Up to 100K is a strong elevated offer.
With $5,000 spend in 6 months for up to 100K miles, this is a good bonus for a premium card. Even at a lower awarded amount, it beats the standard 60K.
Why someone may wait
125K has appeared before and could return.
The 125K maximum has been tracked historically during promotional periods.
Card benefits
Sky Club access is the headliner at this premium tier.
The tiers are a Points Brief editorial assessment of decision importance and rarity among premium airline cards.
Tier 1 · Rare differentiators
Benefits that define the premium tier.
Delta Sky Club access
Complimentary Delta Sky Club access for the primary cardholder when flying Delta on a same-day ticket. Cardmembers receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion year; unlimited Sky Club access requires $75,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year. Access to Delta's network of airport lounges with complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces.
- 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion year. A Visit covers Sky Club usage during a 24-hour period on eligible same-day travel.
- Unlimited Sky Club access requires $75,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year.
- Primary cardholder only. Guests must pay a per-visit fee.
- Must be flying Delta on a same-day ticket.
Know the limits: Know the limits: Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits per Medallion year unless you spend $75,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year. Guests are not complimentary. You must present your Reserve card, same-day Delta boarding pass, and government ID. During peak times, access may be restricted.
Centurion Lounge access
Complimentary Centurion Lounge access when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
- Access when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
- Primary cardholder only. Guest terms apply per Centurion Lounge policy.
Know the limits: Know the limits: Centurion Lounge access requires a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Guest access is subject to Centurion Lounge terms and fees.
Annual Companion Certificate — First Class eligible
Each year after renewal, receive a Companion Certificate valid for one round-trip companion ticket on eligible round trips within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America (First, Comfort+, or Main Cabin eligible). You pay only taxes and fees for the companion.
- First Class eligible—a step above the Platinum card's Main Cabin certificate.
- Companion pays only taxes and fees ($22 to $250).
Know the limits: Know the limits: fare class, availability, taxes/fees, and other restrictions apply. Certificate must be used before expiration.
Tier 2 · Strong, with strings attached
Benefits that add value but come with conditions.
2,500 MQD MQD Headstart toward Medallion status
Receive 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) deposited into your SkyMiles account each year toward status.
Combined with Delta Platinum card MQD Headstart, you can earn up to 5,000 MQDs annually across two cards.
Free First checked bag free
First checked bag free on Delta flights for the cardholder and up to 8 companions.
Must pay for the ticket with this card.
Main 1 Main Cabin 1 priority boarding
Board in Main Cabin 1 on Delta flights.
Tier 3 · Expected card basics
Standard premium card features.
No foreign transaction fees Travel baseline
No Amex foreign-transaction fee on purchases abroad.
$120 rideshare credit ($10/month) Credits
Up to $10 monthly statement credit on U.S. rideshare. Up to $120 annually. We rate Coupon Book 3/5 because the monthly credit requires active management—unused months do not roll over.
Pay with Miles Delta program
Use miles at 1 cent each toward Delta flights.
Car rental loss and damage insurance Secondary
Secondary coverage for eligible rental cars.
Comparison method: Premium airline co-branded cards including United Club ($525) and Citi AAdvantage Executive ($595); official public pages reviewed in July 2026.
Earning rates
3X on Delta—1X everywhere else.
Rates shown are Delta SkyMiles per dollar on eligible purchases.
Delta purchases
On purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines.
All other eligible purchases
One mile per dollar on other purchases.
Credit interaction: Value context: The Reserve card's earning structure is limited at 3X/1X. The value is in Sky Club access and the Companion Certificate, not earning rates. For everyday spending, pairing with a card like the Amex Gold (4X dining/groceries) or Amex Platinum (5X flights) may make more sense for earning.
Delta SkyMiles program
One of the largest U.S. carriers with a growing global network.
Delta SkyMiles are airline-specific miles—not transferable from other programs and not convertible to other airlines. They can be redeemed for Delta-operated flights and partner airline awards. SkyMiles do not expire. Delta uses dynamic award pricing with no published award chart.
Key benefit
Sky Clubaccess
Sky Club access makes this the top Delta co-brand card.
Complimentary Delta Sky Club access for the primary cardholder on same-day Delta flights. Cardmembers receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion year; unlimited Sky Club access requires $75,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year. For frequent Delta flyers who would otherwise pay $695 for an individual Sky Club membership, the Reserve card bundles lounge access with a Companion Certificate and MQD Headstart for $650—less than the standalone membership price.
Delta hubs & focus cities
Where Delta operates the most flights.
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Detroit (DTW)
- Minneapolis (MSP)
- Salt Lake City (SLC)
- New York (JFK/LGA)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Boston (BOS)
- Seattle (SEA)
SkyTeam alliance partners
Award bookings available on partner airlines.
- Air France
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Aeromexico
- China Eastern
- ITA Airways
- Garuda Indonesia
Delta Reserve at a glance
What this card gets you.
- Delta Sky Club access (15 visits per Medallion year)
- Centurion Lounge access on same-day Delta flights
- Annual Companion Certificate (First Class eligible; U.S. + Mexico/Caribbean/Central America)
- First checked bag free
- Main Cabin 1 boarding
- 2,500 MQD Headstart
- 3X on Delta purchases
- No bonus categories beyond Delta
Delta card family
How this card compares to other Delta cards.
- Delta Blue: $0 fee, no free bags
- Delta Gold: $150, bags + credits
- Delta Platinum: $350, companion pass + bags
- Delta Reserve: $650, lounge access + companion pass
Sources and methodology
Sources for this page
- Last checked: August 14, 2026
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