The American Express Delta Reserve Card rewards frequent Delta flyers with miles, priority boarding, and annual travel credits
The American Express Delta Reserve Card is a premium credit card designed for people who fly Delta regularly and want to earn miles faster than a standard rewards card allows. It comes with an annual fee, but it also includes benefits like checked baggage waivers, priority boarding, and a yearly travel credit that can offset some of that cost.
This card is not for occasional travelers. It makes the most sense if you fly Delta at least a few times a year, value the convenience of priority boarding and checked baggage benefits, and spend enough on the card to earn back the annual fee through miles and credits.
Key Takeaways
- The Delta Reserve Card charges an annual fee and provides a yearly travel credit that reduces the net cost you pay out of pocket.
- You earn miles on every purchase, with higher earning rates on Delta flights and American Express purchases.
- The card includes checked baggage waivers for you and one companion, priority boarding, and other perks tied to your membership status.
- The card is worth keeping only if you fly Delta multiple times per year and spend enough to justify the annual fee.
- Your miles never expire as long as you keep the card open and active.
Annual Fee and Travel Credit
The Delta Reserve Card carries an annual fee that varies depending on when you open the account and current promotions. American Express charges this fee once per year, usually on your card anniversary. The exact amount changes, so check the current terms before you explore.
The card comes with an annual travel credit you can use toward Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel purchases. This credit is not automatic—you have to use it yourself through your Delta account or when you book. The credit amount is set each year and does not roll over if you do not use it, so plan your travel accordingly.
To determine whether the card pays for itself, subtract the travel credit from the annual fee. If you fly Delta at least twice a year, the remaining cost is often lower than what you would pay for a mid-tier rewards card.
Miles Earning Rates and Bonus Categories
The Delta Reserve Card earns miles on every dollar you spend. The base earning rate is consistent across most purchases, but you earn at a higher rate on Delta flights and American Express Platinum purchases.
When you first open the card, American Express offers a sign-up bonus—a large number of miles deposited into your account after you meet a spending threshold within a set timeframe. This bonus is often the biggest miles haul you will receive, so factor it into your decision about whether to open the card.
Miles earned on this card do not expire as long as you keep the card open and use it at least once per year. If you close the card, your miles remain in your Delta account, but you will no longer earn miles through the card itself.
Checked Baggage and Priority Boarding Benefits
The Delta Reserve Card waives the first checked baggage fee for you and one companion on the same reservation. This benefit applies to every Delta flight you take as the cardholder. If you travel with a family member or partner regularly, this alone can save you $60 to $70 per round trip.
You also receive priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers. This benefit lets you find overhead bin space and settle in before the cabin fills. Priority boarding applies to every Delta flight you take as the cardholder.
Additional perks include a statement credit toward Delta purchases, access to Delta Sky Club lounges (either included or at a reduced rate depending on your card tier), and other benefits that vary by card version. Review the current benefits page to see what is included with your specific card.
Who Should and Should Not Get This Card
The Delta Reserve Card makes sense if you fly Delta at least three to four times per year, value the convenience of checked baggage waivers, and spend enough on the card to earn miles that offset the annual fee. If you have a job that requires frequent travel or take regular vacations, the card can pay for itself quickly.
You should skip this card if you rarely fly Delta, prefer to fly multiple airlines, or do not spend enough to justify the annual fee. If you fly Delta only once or twice a year, a no-annual-fee Delta card or a general rewards card may serve you better.
The card is also less valuable if you already have status with Delta through your employer or frequent flying. Delta status comes with many of the same perks—checked baggage waivers and priority boarding—so the card's benefits would overlap rather than add value.
How to Use Your Miles and Track Your Account
Miles you earn through the Delta Reserve Card go into your Delta SkyMiles account. You can log in to delta.com or use the Delta app to see your balance, book award flights, or transfer miles to other programs.
Award flights cost a set number of miles depending on the route and how far in advance you book. Off-peak flights cost fewer miles than peak travel dates. You can also use miles for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other Delta purchases if you do not want to book a full award flight.
Miles transfer to other airline partners in the SkyMiles program, though the exchange rate is usually not favorable. Most cardholders use miles for Delta flights or upgrades rather than transfers.
Comparing the Delta Reserve to Other Delta Cards
American Express offers multiple Delta cards at different annual fee levels. The Delta Blue Card has no annual fee and is designed for occasional Delta flyers. The Delta Gold Card sits between the Blue and Reserve in terms of benefits and cost. The Delta Reserve Card is the premium option with the highest annual fee and the most generous perks.
If you are not sure which card fits your travel patterns, compare the annual fee and benefits of each against how many times you fly Delta per year and how much you spend on the card. A spreadsheet showing your estimated miles earned, credits received, and annual fee can help you decide.
You can also hold multiple Delta cards at once. Some people carry a no-fee Delta card for everyday spending and a premium Delta card for travel purchases. American Express allows this, though each card has its own annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my miles expire if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Delta SkyMiles account even after you close the card. However, miles expire if your account is inactive for 24 months. To keep miles active, you need to earn or use miles at least once every two years, which is easier if you keep the card open and use it occasionally.
Can I use the travel credit on any Delta purchase?
The travel credit applies to Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Delta-related purchases. It does not cover non-Delta expenses or purchases made through third-party booking sites. You must use the credit through your Delta account or when booking directly with Delta.
What happens to my miles if I downgrade to a different Delta card?
Your miles remain in your SkyMiles account when you downgrade. You will no longer earn miles through the Reserve Card, but you will continue earning through the new card at its earning rate. Your existing miles are not affected by the downgrade.
Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly Delta once a year?
Probably not. The annual fee is high, and one round trip does not generate enough miles or use enough credits to offset it. A no-annual-fee Delta card or a general rewards card would be more cost-effective for infrequent Delta flyers.
Can I earn miles on purchases made with someone else's card?
No. Only purchases made with your own Delta Reserve Card earn miles into your account. If a family member or colleague uses your card, the miles go to your account, not theirs. Each person needs their own card to earn miles separately.