Take the stress out of layovers with Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access
Once you're used to having airport lounge access, it's hard to go back. Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can get access to several lounge networks:
- Access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. (Exclude basic economy tickets.)
- Access to The Centurion Lounge locations when flying on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. (Flight must be booked using an eligible Amex card.)
- Access to Escape Lounges when flying on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. (Flight must be booked using an eligible Amex card.)
- Terms apply
Cardholders also get four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club each year. After that, you'll need to pay for guests at all lounges (terms apply).
Starting Feb. 1, 2025, Sky Club access will be limited to 15 visits per year unless you meet spending requirements. Read more on the changes below under "What could be improved."
Fly a companion roundtrip for pennies with the companion pass
This is arguably where the biggest value of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card lies: Cardholders get an annual companion certificate good for a buy-one-get-one round-trip Delta cash fare (terms apply).
The certificate is good all the way up to domestic first class -- and that's pretty much where the best value lies. For example, roundtrip from Boston to Seattle in the Main cabin only runs around $400, while first class would be over $1,100.
If you and a companion already pay for round-trip first-class tickets each year, then this is an easy win.
A competitive welcome bonus can boost your SkyMiles balance quickly
New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after they spend $5,000 in the first 6 months.
Although Delta SkyMiles can be hard to maximize for top value, the welcome bonus could go a long way toward domestic main cabin flights.
Keep in mind that the welcome bonus for Amex cards can vary quite a bit (even more than most welcome bonuses). So always do a bit of research before you apply for a new Amex card to ensure you're getting the best welcome offer possible.
Receive up to $360 a year in Resy and rideshare statement credits
In true Amex style, this card has a couple of statement credits you can earn on purchases from partners. Specifically, cardholders can earn:
- Up to $20 a month ($240 a year) in statement credit for U.S. Resy restaurants (you don't need to book through the app, the restaurant just needs to appear on it).
- Up to $10 a month ($120 a year) in statement credit for select U.S. rideshare purchases (no, food delivery won't count).
- Terms apply; enrollment may be required
If you're already making these purchases, then that's an easy $360 a year that makes this card significantly more affordable.
However, these are use-them-or-lose-them credits that expire at the end of each month, which may make them harder to maximize. These perks are likely best suited for folks who live in larger cities with more options for using the credit organically.
Earn MQDs with your card to jet your way to Medallion elite status
Before the recent Medallion program overhaul, you had to buy (and fly) a lot of Delta flights to get status. Now, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders can get status through card purchases alone -- and they don't have to start from $0, either.
First, you'll get a $2,500 MQD Headstart each year. This gets you halfway to Silver Medallion status, the first tier.
Then, you can earn $1 MQD per $10 in purchases on your card. This means you'll need $25,000 in eligible card purchases to get the rest of the way to Silver status. Terms apply.
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
