About the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card From American Express
Airline credit cards have been around for a long time, but Delta and American Express have pioneered new ways to offer exclusive benefits to holders of their co-branded products. This process began with cardholders having their checked bags waived, and has now extended to nearly all aspects of traveler’s interactions with their airline. The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is available to Delta customers who want to be on the cutting edge of credit card rewards.
Upon their first purchase, cardholders will earn 10,000 SkyMiles, which will also count towards elite status in their Medallion program. After that, cardholders will earn one mile per dollar spent, with two miles being offered for all purchases from Delta. Cardholders who spend $30,000 in a calendar year will also be awarded an additional 15,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs), and another 15,000 MQMs when reaching $60,000 of annual spending. These miles can even be gifted to friends or family if the cardholder has already attained their desired status level.
If they are not already Medallion members, cardholders will immediately start to enjoy a range of perks that are otherwise reserved for those holding elite status. These benefits include priority boarding, a 20% discount on in-flight purchases, and a checked bag fee waiver for up to nine passengers traveling on the same itinerary. Cardholders will also enjoy access to Delta’s Sky Club business lounges. This card’s most innovative benefit is its upgrade priority feature. If several Delta travelers within the same Medallion status level are on the upgrade list for a particular flight, those with the Reserve card will receive the first class seats before the others.
When carrying a balance on their card, customers will incur interest at an APR equal to the Prime Rate plus 12.99%, 14.99%, or 16.99% depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness. There is a $450 annual fee for this card, but upon renewal, members will receive a free companion certificate valid for domestic first or economy class tickets. Finally, cardholders will pay an additional 2.7% fee on all international credit card purchases.
For those who travel on Delta more than a few times a year, the broad spectrum of perks received should easily make up for this card’s high annual fee. By itself, the Sky Club pass and the companion certificate could each justify this card’s substantial annual fee. Those in the lower tiers of the Medallion program will appreciate the perks and the chance to earn valuable MQMs, while the most frequent travelers at the higher levels of the Medallion program will enjoy the upgrade priority and the opportunity to gift MQMs to others.
The annual fee of $450 is very high and will not be justified for those who do not utilize the Sky Club pass or companion certificates. Furthermore, Delta’s SkyMiles program has earned a poor reputation by making very few award seats available at the lowest mileage levels. Finally, the 2.7% foreign transaction fee is especially unwelcome on a high end card marketed towards travelers of an airline with a large international presence.
Frequent travelers of Delta will really appreciate this card’s upgrade priority feature and Sky Club access as well as the ability to earn additional MQMs. The price of admission is admittedly high, but there is a strong case to be made for a product like this that breaks new ground in offering cardholders unprecedented travel benefits. Overall, this may not come close to being the best credit card offer for many consumers, but Delta SkyMiles experts can benefit nicely.
