The Full Review
The American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve Card is a premium credit card designed for frequent Delta Airlines flyers who want to earn miles rewards and enjoy various travel perks. In this article, we will review the benefits and costs of this card and help you decide if it is the best choice for you.
Benefits and Costs
The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card offers a range of benefits that cater to the needs of frequent travelers, including the following:
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership.
- Miles Rewards: Earn 3x miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1x mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Delta Sky Club Access: Enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges, where you can relax, work, and enjoy premium amenities such as food, drinks, and Wi-Fi.
- Complimentary Upgrades: Receive complimentary upgrades to first class or Delta One on eligible flights.
- Concierge Service: Access personalized assistance with travel, dining, and entertainment arrangements through the American Express concierge service.
- Elite Status Qualification: Earn 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in a calendar year, and an additional 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 bonus miles after spending $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
- Waived Fees: Enjoy waived fees for checked bags and same-day flight changes.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use the card to make purchases outside the United States without incurring foreign transaction fees.
The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card comes with a high annual fee of $550, which is in line with other premium travel credit cards. However, the card's interest rate is relatively high, with a variable APR of 20.24% to 29.24%.
Pros & cons
- The welcome bonus is generous and valuable.
- The miles rewards rate for Delta purchases is high.
- The complimentary Delta Sky Club access is a significant perk for frequent flyers.
- The annual Companion Certificate and MQD waiver are valuable for travelers who fly with companions or want to achieve elite status.
- The concierge service is useful for planning travel, dining, and entertainment.
- The annual fee is high, which may not justify the benefits for occasional Delta flyers.
- The miles rewards rate for non-Delta purchases is not as high as other travel rewards cards.
- The card's MQD waiver does not apply to the Diamond Medallion Status.
- The global entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit is available only once every four years.
Is the Card Worth It?
The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is worth it for frequent Delta travelers who seek premium travel perks and miles rewards. The card offers a generous welcome bonus of 90,000 miles and 20,000 MQMs, 3x miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges, and complimentary upgrades to first class or Delta One on eligible flights.
However, the card's high annual fee of $550 and limited travel benefits beyond Delta Air Lines may not be worth it for some users who do not frequently fly with Delta or do not require premium travel perks.
Is the American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve Card Right for You?
If you are a frequent Delta Airlines flyer looking for a premium credit card that offers exceptional miles rewards and travel perks, the American Express Delta Skymiles Reserve Card is an excellent choice for you. The annual fee is high, but it is offset by the access to Delta Sky Club lounges and American Express Centurion Lounges, as well as the statement credits for incidental fees on Delta flights and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. However, if you do not travel frequently or do not value lounge access, you may want to consider other credit cards.
Wrapping Up
The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is an excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who want to optimize airline miles and travel perks. The card's welcome bonus, miles rewards rate, access to Delta Sky Club lounges, and other benefits can save you money on flights and provide a comfortable travel experience.
However, the annual fee may not justify the benefits for occasional Delta flyers or those who don't value travel perks as much. Overall, if you're a frequent Delta traveler who wants to earn miles rewards and enjoy travel perks, the American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is the best choice for you.
