My foray into the world of credit cards, points and miles began when I joined TPG a few years ago. I had a couple of cards before working here, but I didn't give much thought to which card to use or when or how to maximize the benefits.
Now that I am surrounded by credit card experts every day, my strategy has changed drastically. I've added about four new cards to my wallet and even made a spreadsheet to ensure I use the right card for the right purchases.
Of those new cards, myDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Cardhas provided some of the most useful benefits. And if you apply right now, you are eligible for this card's highest offer ever.
Here are five reasons I love this card and how I get the most out of it.
Perks when flying Delta
I actually hadn't stepped foot into anairport loungeuntil I began working at TPG, butthis cardcomes with complimentary access toDelta Sky Club loungesandAmerican Express Centurion Lounges* when traveling on a same-day, Delta-operated or -marketed flight. Now, I get to visit a lounge almost every time I fly.
*You must purchase your flight with your Reserve card for Centurion Lounge access.
Having a quiet space to work or rest during a layover is a game changer. Or, if I am being a responsible adult and get to the airport early, I can grab a bite to eat or a drink before my flight without paying the high airport prices.
With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I also get four one-time Sky Club guest passes each year upon account renewal, allowing me to bring family members or friends to the lounge with me when we travel together.
Delta Reserve cardmembers arelimitedto 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year), but it's easy for me totrack my visits in the Delta app. Centurion Lounge visits are unlimited (must purchase your Delta flight with your Reserve card), so even if I were to use all 15 of my Sky Club visits, I could still head over there.
In addition to lounge access, I get myfirst checked bag free(this extends to up to eight passengers traveling with me, so it's a huge perk when traveling with my husband and three kids), priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases andaward redemptions. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve also provides a statement credit forGlobal Entry or TSA PreCheck($120 every 4 years with Global Entry or up to $85 every 4½ years with TSA PreCheck), so I can breeze through the airport every time I fly.
Welcome offer
Right now, theDelta Reserve Amexoffers new cardmembers the ability to earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Oct. 29.
Per TPG'sOctober 2025 valuations, Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents each, making this bonus worth $1,500. The card comes with an annual fee of $650 (seerates and fees).
After earning the bonus, I redeemed some miles to book positioning flights for myfirst big award redemption tripto Belgium and Germany with my husband.
A few months later, I also used some of the points to bring my family along on a work trip toDisneyland. The cost of flights when all five of us fly together can add up quickly. The welcome bonus I earned with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a huge help in keeping our flight expenses down so we could splurge a bit during our travels.
Useful statement credits
Last year, Deltaadded monthly and annual statement creditson its cobranded cards, including the Delta Reserve Amex. I will admit I'm not the biggest fan of tracking statement credits, but I want to maximize my card's value, so I try my best to plug them all into a spreadsheet and keep it up to date.
The easiest to use is up to $10 in monthly ride-hailing statement credits. There isn't a month that goes by that I don't use Lyft or Uber at least once. (Credit valid on select ride-hailing services in the U.S.; enrollment required.)
My card also comes with up to $200 in Delta Stays credits each year. My husband travels almost weekly for work, so we have several opportunities to use this credit on one of his eligible hotel stays. All he has to do is book through theDelta Stays websiteand pay with the Delta Reserve Amex to earn this benefit.
Related:How I get this monthly credit on my Delta Amex without even trying
This card also earns me up to $20 in monthly statement credits for use at U.S. Resy restaurants (enrollment required). There aren't a ton of eligible restaurants in my area, so I don't always remember to use this one. However, I have gotten creative by purchasing gift cards to eligible restaurants and checking for eligible dining locations when I travel. Most months, I find a way to use it, even if it takes a bit of virtual legwork on my end.
Flexible award redemptions
When I've searched forDelta SkyMilesredemptions, I've been impressed with my options. You can redeem SkyMiles for Delta flights (as I've done) and for flights on partner airlines like Air France, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. This opens up a ton of flight choices.
I also like how Delta displays its award pricing. In the above example, I entered flexible dates in November for a round-trip flight between my home airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
In addition to viewing the prices for my dates, Delta displays pricing for alternate date combinations. You can get an even better redemption value if your dates are flexible. Some airlines make finding the best award availability difficult, so I appreciate Delta's easy-to-use calendar.
My card also gives me a15% discount on award flights, allowing me to stretch my miles even further.
Annual companion certificate
With myDelta SkyMiles Reserve, I get anannual companion certificateadded to my account each year after my anniversary date. The companion certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket within the U.S. (all 50 states) as well as to destinations in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
When you purchase a round-trip first class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin ticket, you can use the certificate to have a companion fly with you for free. You only have to pay the taxes and fees on the second ticket.
I used my first companion certificate to get my oldest son and me to New York before flying to Paris. This year, I used it to fly my husband with me to Disney World for a runDisney race.
Bottom line
Applying for theDelta SkyMiles Reservewas a no-brainer for someone still relatively new to points and miles. While not the most lucrative points earner, the earning structure is simple. But that's not the real reason I love this card.
As someone who often flies Delta, the perks like lounge access, a free checked bag and an annual companion certificate are unmatched. When combined with thecurrent best-ever welcome offerof 125,000 Delta SkyMiles, now is a great time to apply.
To learn more, read ourfull review of the Delta Reserve.
Apply here:Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve please clickhere.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
