Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex Card Rewards & Benefits Guide

American Express

Delta SkyMiles Reserve

Last updated: June 20, 2026. Verify current terms with American Express and Delta before applying.

Core multipliers

3xDelta purchases, including Delta flights and eligible Delta spending.
1.5xAll other eligible purchases, up to $150,000 in eligible non-Delta purchases per calendar year. Earn 1x after the $150,000 cap is reached. Verify current terms with American Express.
1xAll other eligible purchases above the $150,000 cap, and any eligible purchases not otherwise covered.

Card snapshot

Annual fee$650

Rewards currencyDelta SkyMiles (not Membership Rewards)

Primary categoriesDelta purchases (3x), all other eligible purchases (1.5x up to $150k/year)

Lounge accessDelta Sky Club (15 visits/year) + Centurion Lounge (Delta same-day)

Companion certificateAnnual upgrade certificate — First Class or Comfort+

Foreign transaction feesNone

What the card is built around

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the premium tier of the Delta co-brand lineup. Its value proposition centers on lounge access: 15 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited with $75,000 in annual spend) and Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta on the same day. Delta Sky Club memberships purchased directly run several hundred dollars per year, making the lounge access the most concrete driver of value for frequent Delta flyers who use lounges.

The annual companion upgrade certificate — valid for First Class or Comfort+ on Delta — separates the Reserve from the Platinum, whose certificate is limited to domestic economy. The 1.5x earn rate on non-Delta eligible purchases (up to $150,000 per year) is a differentiator, though the card's high annual fee means the earning rate is a secondary consideration relative to the lounge and travel benefits.

These cards earn Delta SkyMiles — not Membership Rewards points. SkyMiles are redeemable for Delta flights, upgrades, and Delta Vacations packages.

Earning category details

3x

Delta purchases

Earn 3 SkyMiles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases, including Delta flights. This is the highest rate on the card and the core earning category for Delta-loyal cardholders.

1.5x

Everything else (up to $150k/year)

All other eligible purchases earn 1.5x SkyMiles, up to $150,000 in eligible non-Delta purchases per calendar year. After hitting the $150,000 threshold, purchases earn 1x. This flat-rate category makes the Reserve a reasonable everyday earner for high spenders who want to accumulate SkyMiles on non-travel spending. Verify current terms and the definition of eligible purchases with American Express.

Lounge access

Lounge Access terms Practical notes

Delta Sky Club 15 complimentary visits per calendar year. Unlimited access if spending $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year. Beginning May 1, 2025, access requires a same-day Delta or Delta Connection flight. Delta Sky Club annual membership rates vary — 15 visits per year can represent substantial standalone value for frequent Delta flyers. Verify current Sky Club visit counting, terms, and guest fees with Delta and American Express.

American Express Centurion Lounge Access when flying Delta on the same day. Beginning July 8, 2026, a 5-hour pre-flight window restriction applies. Guests of two or more are not allowed unless you meet additional spend qualifications — verify current guest policy with American Express. Centurion Lounges are available at select airports. The same-day Delta flight requirement means this access is specifically tied to Delta itineraries, not general air travel. Verify current airport locations, hours, and guest rules with American Express before relying on Centurion Lounge access.

Travel and card benefits

Benefit Structure Practical read

Annual companion upgrade certificate One companion certificate per year after card anniversary. Upgradeable to First Class or Comfort+ on Delta flights. Taxes and fees apply. The Reserve's companion certificate is more flexible than the Platinum's economy-only certificate. First Class or Comfort+ tickets can carry significant cash value on Delta routes. Verify eligible routes, upgrade availability, booking procedures, and expiration with American Express and Delta.

First checked bag free Primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation receive the first checked bag free on any Delta flight. Same bag benefit as Gold and Platinum cards. Value compounds for multi-person travel groups.

20% inflight savings Save 20% on eligible inflight purchases including food, beverages, and audio headsets on Delta flights. Savings reflected as statement credits. Same benefit across Gold, Platinum, and Reserve. Useful for frequent Delta travelers who purchase inflight items.

15% Award Booking discount 15% off the mileage price of Award Bookings made on delta.com or the Fly Delta app. Offer subject to change — verify with Delta and Amex. Reduces the SkyMiles cost of eligible award bookings. Valuable if you redeem SkyMiles regularly for Delta flights.

$2,500 MQD Headstart Earn $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars toward Delta Medallion status each year. Same Headstart as Gold and Platinum. The Reserve cardholder is typically already pursuing Medallion status. Verify current Medallion qualification thresholds with Delta.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit Up to $100 reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, once every 4.5 years. Same credit as the Platinum card. Global Entry ($100) includes TSA PreCheck access. Verify reimbursement procedures with American Express.

No foreign transaction fees No foreign transaction fees on eligible purchases made abroad. Verify current fee schedule with American Express.

Lounge access policy notes (important)

Delta Sky Club visit cap

Beginning May 1, 2025, Delta Sky Club access for Reserve cardholders requires a same-day Delta or Delta Connection flight. Visit counts reset annually by calendar year. Unlimited access requires $75,000 in annual card spend — the 15-visit allotment applies below that threshold. Guest fees and policies may apply. Verify with Delta and American Express.

Centurion Lounge pre-flight window

Beginning July 8, 2026, access to Centurion Lounges for Delta Reserve cardholders is subject to a 5-hour pre-flight window restriction. This means you cannot access a Centurion Lounge if your Delta departure is more than 5 hours away. Verify the exact policy language and effective dates with American Express before planning around this benefit.

Guest policy

As of the current policy, Centurion Lounge guest access (2 or more guests) is not permitted unless you meet additional spend qualifications defined by American Express. Verify current guest policies for both Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge with American Express, as these policies have changed and may continue to change.

Delta SkyMiles: how the currency works

SkyMiles are not Membership Rewards

The Delta Reserve earns Delta SkyMiles directly. These miles cannot be converted to Membership Rewards points and do not transfer to other airline programs. Delta SkyMiles value is driven entirely by Delta's award pricing and availability.

Redemption options

SkyMiles can be redeemed for Delta award flights (domestic and international), seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and select SkyTeam partner airline awards. Award pricing on Delta is dynamic — verify current redemption rates on delta.com or the Fly Delta app before planning redemptions.

Upgrade use case

SkyMiles are commonly used for upgrades and for domestic award flights when mileage prices are favorable. International business and first class redemptions on Delta can require large mileage amounts — compare award prices against cash fares before using miles for premium cabin international travel.

Fit checklist

You fly Delta frequently enough to use Delta Sky Club lounges multiple times per year and find lounge access materially valuable.
You depart from airports with both Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges on Delta itineraries.
You travel with a companion on Delta and can use the annual companion upgrade certificate for a First Class or Comfort+ upgrade.
Your non-Delta spending is high enough that 1.5x SkyMiles on all eligible purchases represents meaningful accumulation.
You are accumulating Delta SkyMiles with a plan to redeem them — the card is most valuable to loyal Delta travelers, not those splitting spending across multiple airlines.

FAQ

Delta SkyMiles Reserve questions.

What is the annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card?

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $650 annual fee. Verify current terms with American Express before applying.

How does Delta Sky Club access work on the Reserve card?

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card includes 15 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits per calendar year. If you spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you receive unlimited Delta Sky Club access. Beginning May 1, 2025, Sky Club access requires a same-day Delta or Delta Connection flight. Verify current Delta Sky Club access terms, visit counting, and policy with American Express and Delta.

Does the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card include Centurion Lounge access?

Yes. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on the same day. Beginning July 8, 2026, a 5-hour pre-flight window restriction applies, and guests of two or more are subject to additional spend qualifications. Verify current Centurion Lounge access terms, guest policies, and eligibility requirements with American Express before relying on this benefit.

How does the companion upgrade certificate work on the Delta Reserve card?

Each year after the card anniversary, you receive one companion upgrade certificate. Unlike the Platinum card's economy-only companion certificate, the Reserve certificate is upgradeable to First Class or Comfort+ travel. Taxes and fees apply. Verify eligible routes, upgrade availability, booking procedures, and certificate expiration with American Express and Delta.

What is the earn rate on non-Delta purchases with the Reserve card?

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve earns 1.5x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases (those not on Delta), up to $150,000 in such purchases per calendar year, then 1x. Verify current earning terms, spending caps, and eligible purchase definitions with American Express.

Related guides

Continue researching Delta SkyMiles cards.

Sources

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card rewards and benefits guide.