5 Min Read | Last updated: February 1, 2024

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Benefits

From getting a head start on Delta’s Medallion® Status to earning new Resy and Rideshare statement credits – the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers these and more to help you unlock great travel experiences.

At-A-Glance

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a top-tier airline travel card with a variety of benefits designed to help you make the most out of your journey.

The Card offers 3X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. 

Plus, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can enjoy new benefits like MQD Headstart and MQD Boost to get closer to Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.   


If you’re an avid traveler, you probably spend a good amount of time thinking about what you can do to make each travel experience a bit smoother or more comfortable. Maybe that means applying for TSA PreCheck® so you can move through security quicker or purchasing a seat upgrade for that extra leg room.

 

With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, all of this – and more – is possible for a $650 annual fee.1 Here’s how the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card can help you unlock ultimate travel experiences, whether you’re ready to explore and discover, relax and recharge, or connect with family and friends. Terms apply to all benefits listed below.

Get Closer to Medallion® Status with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost

If you’re looking to reach Medallion® Status, MQD Headstart and MQD Boost are new benefits that can help you get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year.

With MQD Headstart, you can get rewarded for being a Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Member and receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) deposited into your card-linked SkyMiles account each Medallion Qualification Year. 

With MQD Boost, you can earn $1 MQD for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card. For example, if you made $3,000 in everyday purchases on your Card in a month, that would equate to $300 MQDs earned with MQD Boost.

To learn more about getting closer to Medallion Status with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost, read “MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: What You Need to Know.”

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Benefits

With complimentary access to Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can enter Delta Sky Club at no cost and receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year. Once you’ve used your Guest Passes, you can bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per Visit.

 

  • Starting February 1, 2025, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. However, you can earn an unlimited number of Visits starting February 1, 2025 if you spend at least $75,000 in eligible purchases on the Card between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.

On top of this, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can also receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner when purchasing a Delta flight with their Card. 

 

Another major benefit of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is the Companion Certificate, allowing Card Members to share their trip experience with a friend or partner. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can enjoy a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after Card renewal. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

 

Additional Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Benefits

Beyond the benefits highlighted above, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card also offers:

 

  • Global Dining Access + $240 Resy Credit: With Global Dining Access by Resy, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can unlock insider access to reservations at sought-after restaurants when you add your Card to your Resy profile through the Resy app or website. You can also take advantage of your $240 Resy Credit after you enroll through your Card account to earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases on the Card with U.S. Resy restaurants.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back per month in statement credits (up to $120 back annually) on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Card. Enrollment required.
  • TakeOff 15: Take 15% off anytime you book Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. (Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
  • Complimentary Upgrade List: Not a Medallion Member? Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade List, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
  • $100 Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. To read the full terms and conditions, visit www.americanexpress.com/expeditedtravel.
  • Earn Miles: Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • $200 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $200 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Hertz President’s Circle® Status: Transform your car rental experience with Hertz President’s Circle Status, compliments of your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card. Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® program is required. To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and “Enroll in Promotion” at delta.com/hertz.2

Finally, no matter where you travel, American Express won’t charge any foreign transaction fees for purchases made on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card.


The Takeaway

With opportunities to boost your Medallion Status and benefits like the new $240 Resy Credit, $120 Rideshare Credit, the enhanced annual Companion Certificate benefit, and more – the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card can help you make the most out of every excursion. 


Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle is a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.

 

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express. 

Related Articles

How to Get a Free Checked Bag with a Delta SkyMiles® American Express® Card

 

Want to save on Delta baggage fees? Card Members can check their first bag free when using their eligible co-branded American Express Card to book a flight with Delta.

 

Tell me more

What Are Delta Credit Card Benefits and How Do They Work?

 

Learn how Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card benefits can maximize every moment of your travel, from miles-boosting welcome bonuses to free checked bags and more.

 

Tell me more

The Different Types of Delta Credit Cards

 

Compare a variety of Delta SkyMiles® American Express Credit Cards to find the Card with the right travel benefits for your lifestyle.

 

Tell me more

The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.