Delta Reserve Credit Card Review: Best for Frequent Travelers
Frequent flier? Earn Delta SkyMiles with this credit card.
More than 145.6 million passengers entrust Delta Air Lines with their travel needs. Delta fliers might want to check out the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express before planning their next trip. Continue reading this review to see if this travel credit card has a place in your itinerary.
| Delta Reserve Credit Card at a Glance | |
| Annual Fee | $450 |
| APR | 17.49%-26.49% |
| Rewards | 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles and 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 within your first three months; Additional 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles and 15,000 bonus miles if $30,000 is spent each calendar year |
| Features | 2 miles per every $1 spent on Delta purchases, 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases |
| Late Fees | Up to $38 |
| Returned Payment Fees | Up to $38 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Information accurate as of Sept. 18, 2018. | |
The Delta Reserve card is designed for Delta die-hards, with enough bonus features to potentially offset that $450 annual fee. Take a look at a quick breakdown of the pros and cons to see if it’s right for you.
Delta Reserve Credit Card Pros
- High mileage bonus offer
- Cardholders can achieve Medallion status, which comes with additional bonuses
- No foreign transaction or over-limit fees
Check Out: American Express Delta Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card Review
Delta Reserve Credit Card Cons
- High annual fee
- Tiered miles-to-dollar ratio only applies to Delta
- High variable APR
Continue reading this review to find out:
- Who This Card Is Best for
- Best Features of the Delta Reserve Credit Card
- Medallion Qualification Miles
- Travel Benefits
What You Need to Know About the Delta Reserve Card
Cardholders can rack up 40,000 bonus miles, which Delta calls SkyMiles, if they spend $3,000 within the first three months of opening an account. These miles can then be used for:
- Booking flights
- Flight upgrades to first class or Delta One
- Travel purchases such as hotel bookings, merchandise and car rentals
- Charity donations
Who this card is best for:
- Travelers looking to cut down on purchases during their trip
- Frequent patrons of Delta Air Lines
Best Features of the Delta Reserve Credit Card
The 40,000 bonus miles is definitely a plus, but the card comes equipped with other features to help you take advantage of Delta rewards. You earn one mile for every $1 spent on purchases, but two miles if those purchases are made directly with Delta.
The card also rewards high spending. Purchasing $30,000 on the card within the calendar year nets you an additional 15,000 bonus miles and 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles. Two things to note is that this is an annual feature, not a one-time benefit, and those additional 15,000 Medallion miles — combined with the initial 10,000 offer — will officially qualify you for Silver Status.
Medallion Qualification Miles
Medallion Qualification Miles go toward your Medallion Status, which is Delta’s own tiered rewards program. Silver, the first attainable Medallion status, requires 25,000 Medallion Qualification Miles. These benefits include complimentary flight upgrades, preferred seating and priority waitlist status.
Travel Benefits
The card does not incur a foreign transaction fee, so international travelers will benefit along with domestic. Other travel benefits include:
- First bag checked is free
- Baggage insurance plan
- Travel accident insurance
- Priority boarding
- 20 percent savings on in-flight purchases
Perhaps the most beneficial feature is a First Class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin companion certificate upon your renewal of the card, which is great for traveling in pairs.
The Bottom Line
The card is most beneficial for frequent travelers who fly Delta. The card’s main features all revolve around purchasing through Delta, with a design to guide cardholders toward Medallion Status. The card’s high fees should make potential customers consider what they want out of a travel card, and how long they intend to use it.
Click through to learn about strategies you can use to avoid credit card debt.
More on Credit Card Advice
- 10 Things You Should Never Put on a Credit Card
- How to Use a Credit Card for a Down Payment
- 10 Inventive Ways to Make Money Using Your Credit Card
This content is not provided by the companies mentioned. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express or Delta Air Lines.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone and have not been endorsed by American Express.
Related Video
About the Author
