He Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the most premium Delta Air Lines co-branded card from American Express. It’s packed with features like airport lounge access and upgrade priority, but you’ll pay a hefty $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) to enjoy these benefits.
When a card asks you to pay this amount, you should receive premium benefits and tremendous value in return. After all, if you can’t use the benefits, you’re better off saving the annual fee and saving your spending on a card that makes more sense for the way you travel.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits they can bring to the Book Delta SkyMiles It’s worth it for frequent Delta travelers.
welcome offer
New Book Delta SkyMiles Cardholders can earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership (for a total of $9,000 in spending). Offer ends April 1.
TPG February 2026 ratings set Delta SkyMiles at 1.25 cents per mile, making this deal worth up to $1,563. That said, you may get more or less value depending on how redeem SkyMiles.
Not everyone may be eligible for a welcome offer with this card, especially if you are upgrading from another SkyMiles Amex card. You may also not be eligible if you’ve already earned a welcome bonus with this card before.
Fortunately, American Express will let you know if you can’t get this card’s welcome offer before fully withdrawing your credit. You must be notified if you are not eligible for the bonus during the application process.
Profit rates
He Book Delta SkyMiles the card wins delta miles at the following rates:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on all Delta purchases
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
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According to TPG valuations, these rates equate to a return on spend of approximately 3.8% and 1.3%, respectively.
Other cards offer a return on daily spending of more than 1.3%. However, if you’re a Delta frequent flyer, this card can still be a solid option for those purchases, as you also earn Medallion qualification dollars toward elite status with each purchase.
Related: The best premium credit cards
Earn Medallion Status Faster
As mentioned, the Book Delta SkyMiles makes it easier to qualify for Medallion status.
For every $10 you spend, you’ll earn $1 Medallion qualification. Additionally, cardholders receive a bonus of 2,500 MQD each Medallion qualification year. That puts you halfway to Delta Silver Medallion status without setting foot on a plane.
Related: Sit Up Front: The Ultimate Guide to Getting an Upgrade on Delta Flights
Helpful Statement Credits
Credit on travel statement
Book Delta SkyMiles Cardholders can earn a monthly statement credit of up to $10 (up to $120 each calendar year) after using their card to pay for an eligible rideshare service. This statement credit is valid on select transportation services in the US. Registration required.
Resy Statement Credits
Food lovers will appreciate that the Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers up to $20 in Resy Statement Credits per month (up to $240 per calendar year). Cardholders can receive these statement credits on eligible purchases at Resy restaurants in the US. Registration required.
Any restaurant in Resy is eligible for this statement credit if you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve card. No reservation required.
Please note that a restaurant must be active on the Resy platform at the time of purchase for it to count toward your statement credit.
Delta Stays Statement Credit
Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders receive a statement credit of up to $200 per calendar year for Delta stay reservations. You must book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta to receive this statement credit.
If you use this benefit in full, you can get one or two nights free of charge in a hotel or vacation home, depending on your destination.
Access to the lounge
Book Delta SkyMiles Cardholders have limited access to Delta Sky Clubs. Please note that you will not be allowed into the lounge if you fly on a basic economy ticket, even if you are a Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholder.
You will receive 15 visits to Delta Sky Clubs annually through your Delta Reservation. Once you’ve used all 15 visits, you can use your card to purchase one-time passes for $50.
However, if you spend more than $75,000 on the card in 2026, you will receive unlimited visits for the rest of this year and all of 2027. This will continue year after year if you continue to meet the spending requirement. Cardholders also receive four guest passes per year.
Once you have used these guest passes, you will be charged $50 per guest, per visit. This fee is reduced to $25 per guest if you visit a Delta Grab and Go location.
Cardholders receive access to Centurion Rooms o Escape rooms if traveling on a Delta flight booked with your Reserve card. This access is unlimited for the cardholder.
For Centurion Lounges, cardholders can bring up to two guests for $50 per adult and $30 per child ages 2 to 17.
Escape room guest rates vary by location, so check a given room’s policy before your trip. Please note that guests must fly on a Delta flight on the same day to access the Centurion or Escape lounges.
Related: The best credit cards to access airport VIP lounges
Companion certificate
Book Delta SkyMiles Cardholders get a supplemental certificate each year after renewal. This companion certificate allows you to purchase two round-trip tickets for the price of one, plus taxes and fees between $22 and no more than $250 for international round-trip flights.
This companion certificate is valid in first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin on roundtrip flights in the US, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
If you use this certificate on a first class ticket or fly during peak season, you will be able to recover the cost of the annual fee with this benefit alone.
15% off Delta-operated award flights
He Book Delta SkyMiles offers cardholders a 15% discount on all award flights operated by Delta and booked with SkyMiles. The discount will appear next to search results as long as your card is linked to your SkyMiles account. Unfortunately, partner flights are not eligible for this discount.
Depending on how often you redeem miles, this benefit could save you thousands of miles a year.
Related: How to use and maximize Delta’s TakeOff 15 feature to save on award tickets
Other benefits
He Book Delta SkyMiles The card comes with many other useful benefits:
- Complimentary Upgrades: Cardholders without Delta SkyMiles Medallion status are eligible to receive complimentary upgrades for Delta One (within the 50 US states), First Class and Comfort members after Medallion.
- Priority boarding in zone 5
- Free checked baggage (first bag free for the cardholder and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation)
- A statement credit of $120 per Global Entry every four years or up to an $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years
- 20% back as a statement credit on eligible inflight food and beverage purchases (inflight Wi-Fi purchases not included)
- Travel protections
Registration required for select benefits.
Related: Your Complete Guide to American Express Card Purchase Protections
In a nutshell
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is the top-tier card in the Delta SkyMiles Amex family. It offers access to the airport lounge and other benefits, such as a valuable annual companion certificate.
If you’re a Delta loyalist and value access to Sky Club and a faster path to Elite Medallion status, this card can be a great addition to your wallet. Its many benefits can help offset the card’s high annual fee.
However, if you don’t fly Delta frequently, there are other cards you should consider adding to your wallet instead.
For more information, see our full review of the delta skymiles reserve card.
Apply here: Book Delta SkyMiles
For Delta SkyMiles booking rates and fees, click here.
