Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card (commonly known as the Amex Delta Reserve) is the premium personal card in the Delta SkyMiles lineup. Its core value comes from Delta Sky Club access, Centurion Lounge access, the Companion Certificate, and a faster MQD Boost than the Delta Platinum.
👉 Apply for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Benefits Overview
| Benefit | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | US$650 |
| Delta Purchases | 3X SkyMiles |
| Other Eligible Purchases | 1X SkyMiles |
| Delta Sky Club | 15 Visits per Medallion Year |
| Unlimited Sky Club Access | Spend US$75,000 per calendar year → Unlimited Access |
| Centurion Lounge | Complimentary access when flying an eligible Delta flight purchased with the card |
| Companion Certificate | 1 certificate after each renewal; valid for eligible Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip travel |
| MQD Headstart | 2,500 MQDs each Medallion Qualification Year |
| MQD Boost | US$10 in eligible purchases = 1 MQD |
| TakeOff 15 | 15% discount on the miles required for eligible Delta-operated Award Travel |
| Upgrade Priority | Higher Complimentary Upgrade priority when applicable |
| Complimentary Upgrade List | Eligible non-Medallion Card Members can be added to the Complimentary Upgrade List |
| Free Checked Bags | First checked bag free on eligible Delta flights; second checked bag free on eligible domestic Delta flights |
| Zone 5 Priority Boarding | Zone 5 Priority Boarding |
| Resy Credit | Up to US$20 per month / US$240 per year; enrollment required |
| Rideshare Credit | Up to US$10 per month / US$120 per year; enrollment required |
| Delta Stays Credit | Up to US$200 per year |
| Global Entry / TSA PreCheck | Up to US$120 for Global Entry or US$85 for TSA PreCheck |
| Hertz Status | Hertz President’s Circle Status; enrollment required |
| Pay with Miles | Every 5,000 Miles can reduce an eligible Delta ticket by up to US$50 |
| Eligible Delta In-Flight Purchases | 20% back as a statement credit |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
Delta Sky Club + Centurion Lounge
The biggest advantage of the Delta Reserve is lounge access.
Card Members receive 15 Delta Sky Club Visits per Medallion Year when flying on eligible Delta flights. Spending US$75,000 in a calendar year unlocks Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access.
The Delta Reserve also provides access to eligible Centurion Lounges when the Card Member is flying an eligible Delta flight purchased with the card.
This is one of the most important differences between the Delta Reserve and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card (Delta Platinum).
Companion Certificate
After each card renewal, the Delta Reserve provides a Companion Certificate.
Compared with the Delta Platinum, the Reserve certificate covers higher cabins and can be used for eligible Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip itineraries within the U.S. and to select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
For Card Members who take at least one eligible Delta trip with a companion each year, this can be one of the card’s most valuable annual benefits.
MQD Headstart + MQD Boost
The Delta Reserve is also the stronger choice for travelers pursuing Delta Medallion Status through credit card spending.
Each Medallion Qualification Year, Card Members receive:
2,500 MQD Headstart
Eligible card spending then earns:
US$10 in purchases = 1 MQD
The Delta Platinum earns 1 MQD per US$20, meaning the Delta Reserve earns MQDs from eligible card spending at twice the rate.
Bottom Line
The Delta Reserve has a clear role: Delta Sky Club + Companion Certificate + faster MQD Boost.
If your priorities are the Companion Certificate and basic MQD acceleration, the Delta Platinum may be sufficient. If you regularly use Delta Sky Clubs or want to earn Medallion Status faster through card spending, the Delta Reserve is the most complete option among the Delta personal cards.
Historical Welcome Offers
| Period | Welcome Offer | Spending Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | 50,000 SkyMiles + 2 Delta Comfort Round-Trip Flight Certificates | US$10,000 in purchases within the first 6 months |
| Jul–Aug 2026 | 100,000 SkyMiles | US$5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months |
| Jun–Jul 2026 | 125,000 SkyMiles | US$6,000 in purchases → 100K; additional US$3,000 → 25K within the first 6 months |
| Jan–Apr 2026 | 125,000 SkyMiles | US$6,000 in purchases → 100K; additional US$3,000 → 25K within the first 6 months |
| Sep–Oct 2025 | 125,000 SkyMiles | US$6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months |
| Jun–Jul 2025 | 100,000 SkyMiles | US$6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months |
| Feb–Apr 2025 | 100,000 SkyMiles | US$6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months |
| Sep–Oct 2024 | 100,000 SkyMiles | US$6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months |
👉 Apply for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Personal Cards
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Key Benefits | Foreign Transaction Fee |
| Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card | US$0 | 2X Delta, 2X restaurants, 20% back on eligible inflight purchases | 0% |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | US$0 first year, then US$150 | Free checked bag, Zone 5 Priority Boarding, TakeOff 15, US$200 Delta Flight Credit | 0% |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card | US$350 | Companion Certificate, 2,500 MQD Headstart, MQD Boost, free checked bag | 0% |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | US$650 | 15 Delta Sky Club Visits, Centurion Lounge access, Companion Certificate, 2,500 MQD Headstart | 0% |
Delta SkyMiles Business Cards
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Key Benefits | Foreign Transaction Fee |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card | US$0 first year, then US$150 | Free checked bag, Zone 5 Priority Boarding, TakeOff 15, US$200 Delta Flight Credit | 0% |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card | US$350 | Companion Certificate, 2,500 MQD Headstart, MQD Boost, Delta / Hotels 3X | 0% |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card | US$650 | 15 Delta Sky Club Visits, Centurion Lounge access, Companion Certificate, 2,500 MQD Headstart | 0% |
Application Rules & Restrictions
When applying for American Express credit cards, keep these key rules in mind:
– Once in a Lifetime: The Welcome Offer on the same Amex Card is generally available only once. Some cards also have Family Language, meaning that previously holding another card in the same family may affect Welcome Offer Eligibility.
– Card Slots: You can generally hold around 5 Amex Credit Cards, with Personal and Business Credit Cards counted together. Charge Cards typically do not count toward this Credit Card limit. Actual limits may vary.
– 1/5 & 2/90 Rule: A commonly observed guideline is generally no more than 1 Amex Credit Card approval within 5 days and 2 approvals within 90 days. This primarily applies to Credit Cards rather than Charge Cards.
– Pop-Up: During the application process, Amex may notify you that you are not eligible for the Welcome Offer. You may still be able to continue the application and receive approval, but without the Welcome Offer.
A simple Amex application strategy is:
Check Welcome Offer Eligibility → Check Family Language → Manage Card Slots → Submit Application
Actual application and Welcome Offer Eligibility requirements are subject to the current terms of each American Express Card.
How Can Foreigners Apply for American Express Credit Cards?
For foreigners entering the U.S. credit card market, Amex Global Transfer can be one of the best starting points.
If you already hold an eligible American Express card in another country, your existing Amex cardmember history may help support an application for a U.S. Amex card without first building a long U.S. credit history.
Overseas Amex → Amex Global Transfer → U.S. Amex → Build U.S. Credit History
Actual eligibility and required information are subject to current American Express requirements.
