The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a Limited-Time Bonus of 95,000 Miles

by Krish Patel / aviationwithkrish.com

Credit card sign-up bonuses are an easy way to accumulate points and miles needed to redeem for a vacation getaway. Delta Airlines and American Express have teamed up to offer several co-branded credit cards, the highest of which is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve. It’s possible to earn 95,000 bonus miles in the first six months of your card membership. The limited-time bonus for this card ends on July 17, 2024.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Earning Rate and Welcome Offer

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card ($650 annual fee) is Delta’s highest personal credit card. It has a sign-up bonus of 95,000 bonus SkyMiles if you’ve spent $6,000 in the first six months of your account opening. This offering is 5,000 miles short of Delta’s best welcome offer with the same card, making it a pretty solid bonus. Considering that this card is issued by American Express, it’s subject to Amex’s one-bonus-per-card-per-lifetime rule, so you won’t qualify if you currently have this card. American Express may also consider the amount of Amex cards you’ve opened and closed when determining whether to offer you a welcome bonus.

The co-branded credit card earns you Delta SkyMiles, which can easily be assumed based on its name. Cardholders earn three miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made with Delta directly and one mile per dollar on other eligible purchases. Other American Express credit cards, such as the Platinum Card, have better earning rates that earn you Membership Rewards which can be transferred to Delta. For eligible flight and hotel stay purchases with the Platinum Card, you’ll earn five Membership Rewards points. Amex points transfer to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Benefits

For Delta loyalists, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card offers several benefits, some of which are listed below.

Delta Sky Club access is the main perk of having the Delta Reserve. Access is free for the cardholder plus two guests or immediate family at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location when traveling on a flight operated or marketed by Delta. When traveling on a flight that isn’t marketed by Delta, but operated by a partner airline, the cardholder can enter the club at a rate of $50 per person, per location. Starting in February of 2025, cardholders will receive 15 free annual visits to Delta Sky Clubs. Cardmembers get four one-time guest passes for Sky Clubs upon account opening and each year upon renewing your account.

The Delta Reserve will also get you into Amex Centurion Lounges for free when flying Delta that same day on a ticket purchased with a U.S.-issued Amex card. You can bring two guests in the lounge at a fee of $50 per person per location.

Cardholders receive a companion certificate each year after their credit card account anniversary. The certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket in First, Premium Select, Comfort Plus, and Main Cabin for a companion when the cardholder purchases one round-trip adult ticket. This can be used for travel within the United States, to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

Those with the card will earn one MQD (Medallion Qualification Dollar) for every $10 spent on purchases through the card. To qualify for Medallion elite status, you’re going to need to accumulate MQDs. SkyMiles Reserve card holders receive a boost of 2,500 MQDs each year.

Redeeming Miles with the Delta Reserve

Delta’s variable pricing cam make it frustrating to redeem SkyMiles. In some cases, the effects are mild, but other dates would have higher pricing. If you have flexibility, it’s worth saving your SkyMiles for frequent flash award sales. Certain domestic flights start at 2,000 SkyMiles for a one-way ticket. SkyMiles can be redeemed for international flights on SkyTeam partners, such as Air France, Virgin Atlantic or Korean Air. They can also be spent on non-alliance partners, such as WestJet and LATAM. Flights aren’t the only thing you can redeem using SkyMiles. It’s possible to redeem certain hotel stays and rental cars too!

If you’re considering making a purchase over $6,000 in the next six months and want to become a Delta loyalist, then this is the card for you.