Is the Delta Reserve card worth it?

It depends on how often you fly Delta. The $650 annual fee makes sense if you use the Delta Sky Club access and redeem the annual Companion Certificate, which can cover a round-trip ticket on its own. Fly Delta only once or twice a year and a cheaper card like the Delta SkyMiles Gold or Platinum will serve you better.

What is the annual fee for the Delta Reserve card?

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve charges a $650 annual fee. Additional authorized-user cards carry their own fee, so factor that in if you plan to add family members. For frequent Delta flyers, the Companion Certificate and the statement credits offset much of the cost.

How hard is it to get a Delta Reserve Card?

American Express does not publish a hard cutoff, but this is a premium card, so approvals generally go to applicants with good-to-excellent credit. Strong income and a clean payment history help. Amex also limits how many of its cards you can hold and how often you can earn a welcome bonus.

Does the Delta Reserve card include Delta Sky Club access?

Yes. Cardholders get Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta, plus American Express Centurion Lounge access on the same Delta itinerary. As of 2025, visits are capped at 15 per year unless you spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year, which unlocks unlimited visits. Guests cost $50 each below that spending threshold.

Delta Reserve vs Amex Platinum: which is better for Delta flyers?

If your loyalty is to Delta, the Reserve wins. It earns Medallion Qualification Dollars toward status, includes a Companion Certificate, and ties Sky Club access to Delta flights. The Amex Platinum has broader lounge access and travel credits but earns no Delta status and no companion ticket. Chase Medallion status and the Reserve fits; want flexibility across airlines and the Platinum makes more sense.

Delta Reserve Card Review 2026: Is the Amex Worth It?

Why we rate it 4.1/5

A top-tier card for frequent Delta flyers: lounge access, a Companion Certificate, and status boosts justify the $650 fee if you fly Delta regularly.

Rewards3.5

Earning is narrow: 3X miles on Delta purchases but only 1X on everything else, so day-to-day spend earns little unless you route it through Delta.

Annual fee value3.8

The $650 fee is heavy, but the annual Companion Certificate plus the Resy, rideshare, and Delta Stays credits claw most of it back for round-trip Delta flyers.

Perks & benefits4.9

Delta Sky Club access, Centurion Lounge entry on Delta Amex flights, the First Class Companion Certificate, and a $2,500 MQD Headstart are the real draw.

Ease of use4.2

Benefits apply automatically with nothing to track, though the 15-visit Sky Club cap and $50 guest fees add some friction.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a premium airline credit card designed for frequent Delta flyers who want top-tier travel benefits and the ability to earn elite status. With a $650 annual fee, this card offers extensive perks, including complimentary Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, an annual companion certificate, and the opportunity to boost Medallion status through spending.

At a Glance

Rewards Structure:

3X miles on Delta purchases
1X mile on all other eligible purchases

Welcome Offer:

Annual Fee: (see rates and fees)

Additional Benefits:

Complimentary Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta
Complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta
Annual companion certificate for domestic first class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip
First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
Priority boarding
20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
Up to a $120 rideshare credit ($10 per month)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights
Upgrade priority over other Medallion members within the same tier and fare class
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

Rates and Fees:

Annual Fee:
Purchase APR:
Penalty APR: 29.99% Variable (may be applied for late or returned payments)
Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40
Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
See rates and fees

Who It's Best For

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is ideal for:

Frequent Delta flyers who value airport lounge access
Delta loyalists aiming to earn or maintain Medallion status
Travelers who can maximize the annual companion certificate
Those who appreciate premium travel perks and protections

Who Should Skip It

The Reserve is a poor fit if you:

Fly Delta fewer than about four round trips a year. The 15 Sky Club visits and the Companion Certificate carry most of the value, and light flyers won't use enough of either to cover a $650 fee.
Won't use the Companion Certificate. It's the biggest single line item in the card's value. If you usually fly alone, most of the math falls apart.
Want rewards on everyday spending. Outside Delta purchases the card earns 1X, so groceries, dining and gas earn far less here than on a flexible-points card.
Mostly want free bags and priority boarding. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Delta SkyMiles Gold covers those basics for a much lower annual fee.

A quick way to check: add up only the benefits you would have used anyway, such as a Companion Certificate on a domestic round trip, the Sky Club visits you'd otherwise pay for, and the Resy and rideshare credits if you already use those services. If that total doesn't clear $650, a cheaper Delta card is the better deal.

Delta Reserve vs. Delta Reserve Business

American Express sells two versions of the Reserve, and they're easy to mix up. This page reviews the personal card. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card has the same $650 annual fee and the same core travel perks: Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access on Delta flights, the annual Companion Certificate, the $2,500 MQD Headstart and $1 MQD for every $10 you spend. The differences come down to who can apply and how each card earns.

Feature	Delta Reserve (personal)	Delta Reserve Business
Who can apply	Individual applicants	Business owners, including sole proprietors
Welcome offer (ends 11/4/2026)	2 Delta Comfort Flight Certificates + 50,000 miles after $10,000 in purchases in 6 months	200,000 miles after $20,000 in purchases in 6 months
Earning on spend	3X on Delta, 1X on everything else	3X on Delta; 1.5X on transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply stores after $150,000 in annual spend; 1X otherwise
Statement credits	Up to $240 Resy, $120 rideshare and $200 Delta Stays	Resy, rideshare and Delta Stays credits
Annual fee	$650	$650

Pick the personal card if the spending runs through your own wallet. If you own a business with heavy monthly spend, the Business version's larger welcome offer and MQD earning on company expenses usually make it the stronger choice. You can also hold both.

Compare

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

American Express Platinum Card®

Annual Fee

$650

$350

$895

Intro Bonus

Earn 2 Delta Comfort Flight Certificates + 50K Miles

As High As 90K Miles + $300 Statement Credit

As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Intro APR

N/A

Regular APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Score

Good, Excellent

Bottom Line

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve earns its 4.1 rating on perks, not rewards. If you fly Delta often enough to use the 15 Sky Club visits, redeem the Companion Certificate every year and chase Medallion status with the MQD Headstart, the $650 fee pays for itself. If you don't, 1X earning on everyday spending makes it an expensive card to hold. Check the current terms in the cardmember agreement before you apply, since Delta and American Express revise these benefits often.