Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 07/15/2026.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Our Mission
At Daily Drop, our mission is simple: to help you explore the world affordably and experience life-changing travel by maximizing miles and points. Our team of travel and credit card experts is here to help you make decisions about which cards belong in your wallet. Based on your travel goals, we offer unbiased advice to help you make the best choices. Keep in mind that our suggestions require responsible credit card use.
Rating Methodology
Here at Daily Drop, we score credit cards using a proprietary formula based on dozens of metrics across six key categories: annual fee, welcome offer, rewards rates, redemption value, benefits & perks, and travel protections. Higher scores indicate better overall value.
We net the annual fee against statement credits you'll likely use and focus on a welcome offer's true return on spending (ROI) rather than just the headline number. We value rewards by their actual worth in cents per point, which is why flexible, transferable points typically score highest. APR is not a standalone scoring category because we recommend paying in full to maximize points and miles, but an intro 0% APR counts as a perk.
Our reviews are editorial and experience-driven. Our team has earned and redeemed millions of miles and points and tested these cards around the world. After all, we would not be Daily Drop if we were not practicing what we preach.
Read our full methodology for more information.
Our Take
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is most definitely a premium travel card. It’s built for people who are all-in on Delta and want every perk possible such as lounge access, upgrade priority, MQD boosts, and a shot at elite status without stepping foot on a plane. Yes, the annual fee is pretty steep, but if you’re loyal to Delta, this card pays for itself, especially if you value your airport time as much as your flight. It's a luxury card that taps into loyalty and gives you elite-like perks, whether you’ve earned it yet or not.
Comparable Cards
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Extensive travel benefits, including Delta Sky Club access (despite some restriction), priority boarding, and free checked bags
Opportunity to earn both Delta SkyMiles and MQMs, which can help you achieve or maintain Medallion status
Annual companion certificate (on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card)
Access to various premium travel perks, including Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
Cons
Steep annual fee
Premium benefits are tailored to Delta, so it's best for Delta frequent flyers
Rewards Summary
3x per $1 on Delta purchases
1x per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Additional Benefits
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 in statement credits each month at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases.
- Global Dining Access by Resy gives you special access to participating U.S. Resy restaurants when you add your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy.com or the Resy app.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment Required.
- Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. Only one credit will be given in a 4 year period for Global Entry or in a 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck, depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible American Express® Card first.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
How to make the most of your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
If you want to squeeze the most value out of this card, your best bet is to use it for Delta flights, hotels, and when chasing elite status.
[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Using miles for merchandise or gift cards [.dontreco]
The value here is… rough. You’ll usually get less than 1 cent per mile, which isn’t great.
[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Using miles for Pay with Miles bookings [.sometimesreco]
This gives you about one cent per mile, which is decent, especially for last-minute travel, but it’s not the most valuable way to redeem.
[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Booking award flights (especially international or partner redemptions) [.alwaysreco]
You’ll get the best bang for your miles when you redeem them for flights, especially in premium cabins or with partners like Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.
Transfer Partners
Delta doesn’t use a traditional transferable currency like American Express Membership Rewards, meaning you earn Delta SkyMiles directly. But you can still use your SkyMiles on Delta’s partner airlines through the SkyTeam alliance and other global partners. A few of the airlines you can book using your SkyMiles include Air France, KLM, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, and others.
Offer History
- Current Offer since Jun 2026Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after spending $15,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/15/26.
- Apr 2026 through Jun 2026You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Jan 2026 through Apr 2026Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months.
- Oct 2025 through Jan 2026Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Sep 2025 through Oct 2025Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
- Apr 2025 through Sep 2025Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Feb 2025 through Apr 2025Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Oct 2024 through Feb 2025Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Sep 2024 through Oct 2024Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Jul 2024 through Sep 2024Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Jun 2024 through Jul 2024Earn 95,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Mar 2024 through Jun 2024Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Feb 2024 through Mar 2024Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Aug 2023 through Feb 2024Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Jun 2023 through Aug 2023Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Mar 2023 through Jun 2023Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles, plus 10,000 MQMs after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Feb 2023 through Mar 2023Earn 95,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Nov 2022 through Feb 2023Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles, plus 10,000 MQMs after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Sep 2022 through Nov 2022Earn 95,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Aug 2022 through Sep 2022Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles, plus 10,000 MQMs after you use your new Card to make $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Jun 2022 through Aug 2022Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
Who Should Get The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
1. The Delta Loyalist
If Delta is your airline of choice and you want to travel like a VIP customer, whether you’ve earned elite status or not, this card is a super solid option for you. You're looking at lounge access, upgrade priority, and Status Boost, which all make it the ultimate choice for leveling up your Delta experience.
2. The Status Seeker
If you’re trying to climb the Medallion ladder without relying just on flying, this card makes it easier to earn elite perks through spending. It’s especially valuable now that Delta leans more on credit card spend to help you hit MQD requirements.
Who Should Not Get The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 700, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Delta Reserve Amex, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.
Recommended Credit
The recommended credit score for the Delta Reserve Amex is good to excellent. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, call American Express to please their case, and be granted this card.
Daily Drop 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between the Delta Reserve and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?
The Reserve offers Sky Club access, upgrade priority, and more elite perks, while the Platinum card is more mid-tier with fewer airport benefits.
Can I get into Delta Sky Clubs with the Reserve Card?
Yes, Reserve cardholders get 15 Sky Club visits per Medallion Year when flying Delta, unlimited visits after $75K spend, and four guest passes each year.
Is the companion certificate really worth it?
Absolutely, especially since it’s valid for Comfort+ or First Class on round-trip domestic flights (plus taxes and fees). One good redemption can help chip away at your annual fee.
Do I need Delta elite status to get upgrades?
No, even non-Medallion members can receive complimentary upgrades with this card, though Medallion status holders are prioritized.
For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Editorial disclaimer: opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Information was last updated Jul 3, 2026.






