American Express Delta Reserve Credit Card: Is it Worth the Annual Fee?
If you’re a frequent flyer and especially a Delta loyalist, you might be interested in the benefits that come with holding an Amex Delta Reserve Credit Card. Despite its high annual fee, the card can be an excellent tool for avid travelers. However, if low fees and flexibility are your priorities, this card might not be the best fit.
So, is the Amex Delta Reserve Card worth it for you? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this plastic’s offers, features, and benefits.
What Is An American Express Delta Reserve Credit Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express is a luxury credit card that may seem a bit overpriced at first glance. The Delta Reserve Card annual fee is $650, and while that may seem unreasonable to some people, for travelers, the benefits can easily cover that yearly investment.
So, is the Delta Reserve card worth it? First of all, if you are a frequent Delta flier, you will earn extra bonuses and additional privileges with this credit card. For example, you will be able to earn 3x miles on Delta tickets, as well as qualify for a free upgrade to a higher service class.
The second and equally pleasant bonus that makes this card worth paying for is free access to the Delta Sky Club lounge, as well as priority boarding and other comfort-related privileges. And finally, you should definitely consider the Amex Delta Reserve Credit Card if you often have a traveling companion. Cardholders have the opportunity to issue an annual Companion Certificate, which can save incredible amounts of money, especially for first-class travelers.
Benefits and Features of Amex Delta Reserve Credit Card
But can American Express Reserve Card benefits cover its hefty annual cost?. Let’s dive into the specifics and find out.
Attractive Terms for Delta Customers
Every Amex Delta Reserve cardholder is automatically eligible to take part in the company’s reward program. For every dollar spent, you’ll receive 3 bonus miles that you can use for your future purchases.
Special Delta Sky Club Access for More Comfort
As the name suggests, the only way to make the most out of the card is to fly Delta frequently. Furthermore, Delta SkyMiles Reserve holders have access to the Delta Sky Club, which offers enhanced comfort while waiting for a flight or taking a break from long layovers.
Additionally, each cardholder also gets four guest passes each year, and if that’s not enough, you can purchase additional guest passes for up to two friends for $50 per person. Plus, your card also gives you access to the Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounge, which offer free snacks, drinks, internet access, showers, and other amenities.
Priority Over Other Travelers to Receive Elite Status Benefits
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card members who have Medallion status have priority for free upgrades. And even if you don’t have Medallion status, you’ll still qualify for free upgrades from time to time, which means you’ll get VIP-level benefits without any additional spendings.
Amex Delta Reserve Card also makes it easier to actually become VIP with its parent company, allowing you to qualify for even better perks like accelerated mileage accrual, priority boarding, seat selection, all in addition to the already mentioned Delta SkyMiles Reserve benefits.
Annual Companion Certificate for Your Friend
As a Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express cardholder, you receive a Companion Certificate each year. This is basically a heavy discount on First, Comfort, or Basic Class for someone traveling with you. All you have to pay is government taxes of up to $80 for domestic flights and up to $250 for international flights.
Boarding, Baggage, and Onboard Purchase Benefits
This one’s pretty simple: with the Amex Reserve Card, you get priority boarding on most flights. Plus, you can also get 20% off on the inflight menu when using this car.
Baggage, Trip Delay, Flight Cancellation, and Car Rental Insurance
The Amex Delta Reserve Card comes with advanced insurance policies that help travelers get compensation if they used the card to pay for the trip. For example, you can expect to receive cash compensation for lost, damaged, or stolen luggage. As for the payout amount, it can reach up to $1,250 for carry-on luggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.
What’s more, cardholders can get trip delay coverage—if your flight is delayed by more than 6 hours, you can get up to $500 in compensation. You can also get trip cancellation or interruption coverage (from $10,000 to $20,000) and qualify for up to $50,000 in theft and damage coverage for rental cars.
Free Foreign Transactions
When using the Amex Delta Reserve abroad, you will be spared from having to pay a commission—meaning no international transaction fees unless the merchant requires these for some reason.
Automatic Credits for Cardholders
The list of Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve benefits also includes an annual credit of up to $560. This money is credited automatically and can be especially valuable to cardholders who frequently use rideshare, hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, vacation rentals, or similar services.
Great Welcome Offer for New Members
New cardholders will likely be surprised by the generous welcome bonus the card offers. If you spend $5,000+ with your card in the first half a year after getting it, you’ll receive 60,000 gift miles.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card worth it? Definitely, yes, but only if you can fully utilize benefits like better terms for Delta customers, Delta Sky Club access, VIP status perks, Companion Certificate, priority boarding, free checked bag, trip and flight insurance, free foreign transactions, and automatic credits. However, unless you are a loyal Delta customer, this card is unlikely to be a cost-effective choice.
To sum it up, the Amex Delta Reserve Card benefits and perks can largely offset the high annual fee and the need for a good or excellent credit score. While it’s definitely not for everyone, it does its job rather well.
