Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card by American Express: 3x flights / airfare, 3x hotels prepaid via Delta Stays, 1x everything else. $650 annual…
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is American Express's premium credit card. The $650/yr annual fee includes a welcome bonus of up to 125,000 points (offers vary) after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months. Beyond the welcome bonus, here's what the card actually delivers.
Rewards
- 3x (≈3.6% effective at 1.2¢/pt) on hotels, prepaid via Delta Stays
- 3x (≈3.6% effective at 1.2¢/pt) on flights
- 1x (≈1.2% effective at 1.2¢/pt) on everything
Statement credits ($990 total/yr)
| Credit | Value | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Global Entry / TSA PreCheck application fee | $120 every 4 years | $120 Global Entry (or up to $85 TSA PreCheck) application fee credit every 4 years. Verified first-party 2026-07-05. |
| Rideshare credit | $120/yr ($10/mo) | Up to $10/mo in statement credits on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers |
| Delta Stays hotel credit | $200/yr | Up to $200/yr in statement credits for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays |
| Resy U.S. restaurants | $240/yr ($20/mo) | Up to $20/mo in statement credits at U.S. Resy restaurants or eligible Resy purchases |
| Companion Certificate (Delta First/Comfort/Main, annual) | $400/yr | One Companion Certificate each year after card renewal, valid on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. Companion pays only government-imposed taxes/fees of $22-$250. Delta Basic fares excluded. |
What the $650/yr fee is buying
Welcome bonus value (year one): up to $1500. Annual statement credits: $990. Minus the $650 annual fee = up to $1840 in year-one net value before any spending earn. RewardsGuru rating: 2.5/5 — based on our net-value methodology.
Who it's for, who should skip
Best fit: frequent travelers who can use the lounge access, statement credits, and elevated earn rates on travel and dining. Skip if: you'd let the annual statement credits expire unused or you only travel 1-2x per year.
Frequently asked questions
What's the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card welcome bonus?
Up to 125,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months (offers vary). At our ~1.2¢/pt valuation, that's up to $1500 in real value.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card worth the $650 annual fee?
Year-one math: welcome bonus value (up to $1500) + annual credits ($990) − $650 fee = up to $1840 net before spending earn. Year-two onward, the credits alone need to clear $650 — they do. Worth it if you'll use the credits, skip if you'd let them expire.
What statement credits does the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card include?
5 recurring statement credits: Global Entry / TSA PreCheck application fee ($120 every 4 years), Rideshare credit ($120/yr, $10/mo), Delta Stays hotel credit ($200/yr), Resy U.S. restaurants ($240/yr, $20/mo), Companion Certificate (Delta First/Comfort/Main, annual) ($400/yr). Total: $990/yr.
Does the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card have foreign transaction fees?
Check the card's terms — most premium travel cards waive foreign transaction fees, while no-fee and entry-tier cards usually charge 2-3%. American Express's product page has the current rate.