Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review: Still Worth It?

Yo, fellow travel junkies! It’s officially two-oh-two-four, and let me tell you, the travel rewards game is straight-up WILD right now. Remember those “good old days” of free-flowing drinks in the Sky Club? Yeah, those days are kinda sorta over. Delta done shook things up with their fancy Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and lemme tell ya, there are some major changes afoot. We’re talkin’ a hefty annual fee hike and some serious perks adjustments. But hold up, don’t go canceling your card just yet! This seasoned traveler (that’s me, by the way) is here to break it all down. We’re diving deep into the good, the bad, and the why-I-still-swiped-right-on-this-card in this tell-all review. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s about to get interesting!

Those Glory Days, Though…

Man, remember when the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card was all like, “Come on in, frequent flyers, and enjoy unlimited Sky Club access when you’re jet-settin’ with Delta!” It was a beautiful thing. Especially for us die-hard Delta fans and those rockin’ the Medallion status. I mean, think about it: a standalone Sky Club membership would set you back a cool six hundred ninety-five bucks! This card was a steal!

Hold Up, What Changed?

Okay, so here’s where things get a little, shall we say, “interesting.” Delta decided to hit us with a triple whammy. First, they slapped a cap on those sweet, sweet Sky Club visits—fifteen per year, unless you’re dropping a cool seventy-five grand annually on the card. Ouch. Then, they jacked up the annual fee, making it rain six hundred and fifty dollars a year. Like, c’mon, Delta, that’s Platinum Card territory! And to top it off, Delta’s loyalty program got a makeover, and it’s all about those Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) now. So basically, flying your heart out doesn’t get you as much love as it used to. Spending is where it’s at, folks.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review: Still Worth It?

Yo, fellow travel junkies! It’s officially two-oh-two-four, and let me tell you, the travel rewards game is straight-up WILD right now. Remember those “good old days” of free-flowing drinks in the Sky Club? Yeah, those days are kinda sorta over. Delta done shook things up with their fancy Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and lemme tell ya, there are some major changes afoot. We’re talkin’ a hefty annual fee hike and some serious perks adjustments. But hold up, don’t go canceling your card just yet! This seasoned traveler (that’s me, by the way) is here to break it all down. We’re diving deep into the good, the bad, and the why-I-still-swiped-right-on-this-card in this tell-all review. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s about to get interesting!

Those Glory Days, Though…

Man, remember when the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card was all like, “Come on in, frequent flyers, and enjoy unlimited Sky Club access when you’re jet-settin’ with Delta!” It was a beautiful thing. Especially for us die-hard Delta fans and those rockin’ the Medallion status. I mean, think about it: a standalone Sky Club membership would set you back a cool six hundred ninety-five bucks! This card was a steal!

Hold Up, What Changed?

Okay, so here’s where things get a little, shall we say, “interesting.” Delta decided to hit us with a triple whammy. First, they slapped a cap on those sweet, sweet Sky Club visits—fifteen per year, unless you’re dropping a cool seventy-five grand annually on the card. Ouch. Then, they jacked up the annual fee, making it rain six hundred and fifty dollars a year. Like, c’mon, Delta, that’s Platinum Card territory! And to top it off, Delta’s loyalty program got a makeover, and it’s all about those Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) now. So basically, flying your heart out doesn’t get you as much love as it used to. Spending is where it’s at, folks.

Breaking Down the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Here’s the lowdown on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, in all its glory (and, well, some not-so-glorious bits):

• CNET Rating: 6.4/10 (Hey, it ain’t perfect, but it’s got potential!)
• Welcome Offer: Rack up a cool 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Hello, free flights!
• Annual Fee: Hold onto your hats, folks, it’s $650.
• Rewards Rate: Earn those miles like a boss: 3x miles on Delta purchases and a respectable 1x mile on all other eligible purchases.

Perks That Make You Go “Hmm…”

Now, for the good stuff—the perks! Here’s what you get for being a cardmember:

• Amex Centurion Lounge Access: When you’re flying Delta and flashing that Amex card, you can kick back and relax in style at Amex Centurion Lounges.
• Upgrade Priority and Companion Certificate: Score an upgrade (fingers crossed!) and snag a free flight for your travel buddy with the annual companion certificate.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: Say goodbye to long airport security lines!
• First Checked Bag Free: Pack those extra souvenirs—your first checked bag flies for free.
• 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Treat yourself to those overpriced snacks and drinks with a 20% discount.
• Zone 5 Priority Boarding: Skip the boarding scrum and snag that coveted overhead bin space.
• Travel Insurance Benefits: Travel with peace of mind knowing you’ve got some coverage.
• 15% Off Award Redemptions: Save some miles with the TakeOff 15 program.

Shiny New Perks for 2024

Delta knows they had to sweeten the deal, so they’ve added some new perks for :

• MQD Boost: Earn 1 MQD for every $10 you spend on the card. Every little bit helps, right?
• MQD Headstart: Boom! You get a 2,500 MQD head start just for signing up.
• Resy Credits: Foodies, rejoice! Enjoy $240 in annual Resy credits ($20 per month).
• Rideshare Credits: Get around town in style with up to $240 in annual rideshare credits ($10 per month).
• Enhanced Companion Certificate: Now you can whisk your travel buddy away to the Caribbean and Central America.
• Delta Stays Credit: Enjoy a $200 annual credit for hotels and resorts booked through Delta.
• Hertz President’s Circle Status: Rent a car like a boss with Hertz President’s Circle status.
• Guest Passes: Share the Sky Club love with four one-time guest passes.

Why This Frequent Flyer Still Says “Yes” to the Delta Reserve

Okay, I’ll admit it—I renewed my Delta Reserve. Call me crazy, but here’s why:

• Sky Club Access, Baby! Yeah, fifteen visits ain’t unlimited, but I’ll take it! I value those visits at a cool $750 (15 visits x $50 estimated value per visit).
• MQD Headstart for the Win: Those 2,500 MQDs are a godsend when you’re chasing Delta Medallion Platinum status.
• Delta Stays Credit = Easy Money: $200 to spend on hotels through Delta? Don’t mind if I do!
• Enhanced Companion Certificate = More Adventures: With the Caribbean and Central America added to the mix, I’m already planning my next getaway.
• MQD Boost Keeps Me Going: Sure, it’s not as generous as the old program, but every MQD counts, right?

Squeezing Every Last Drop of Value from the Delta Reserve

If you’re gonna shell out $650 for this bad boy, you better make it count! Here’s how to maximize the Delta Reserve’s value:

• Sky Club, Here I Come! Use all fifteen of your Sky Club visits and those precious guest passes.
• Companion Certificate and Delta Stays Credit = Travel Hacks: Don’t let those credits go to waste! Plan a trip with your bestie or significant other and snag a free hotel stay.
• MQD Boost = Medallion Status, Here I Come: Put those spending muscles to work and climb that Delta Medallion ladder.
• Rideshare Credits? Yes, Please! Activate those monthly rideshare credits and ditch the taxi lines.

Hold Up – Should You Even Bother with a High-End Travel Card?

Whoa, whoa, whoa—before you jump on the Delta Reserve bandwagon (or any fancy travel card, for that matter), let’s have a real talk. These cards ain’t for everyone. Here’s the deal:

• Do the Math: Crunch those numbers! Calculate the value of the perks and rewards based on your spending habits and travel style.
• Annual Fee Reality Check: Be honest with yourself—will you actually use enough benefits to justify that hefty annual fee?
• Welcome Offer Sweetness: Look for a card with a juicy welcome offer that can help offset that first-year annual fee.

Other Cards to Consider (Because Options Are Good!)

Hey, I’m all about the Delta Reserve, but I’m not gonna lie—there are some other awesome cards out there that might be a better fit for your travel needs:

• Priority Pass Select: If you’re all about that lounge life, no matter the airline, Priority Pass Select is your jam. It gets you into over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide.
• Premium Travel Cards with Transferable Rewards: These cards give you the ultimate flexibility. You can transfer your hard-earned rewards to a variety of airlines and hotels, so you’re not tied down to just one program.

The Final Verdict: Is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Still Worth It?

Alright, folks, it’s time for the moment of truth. Is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card still a winner, even with that eye-watering annual fee? Here’s the bottom line:

If you’re a frequent Delta flyer who practically lives in Sky Clubs and dreams of reaching Delta Medallion status, this card might still be your best bet. But, and this is a big but, you gotta make sure those perks align with your travel habits and spending patterns. Do your research, weigh your options, and choose the card that’s gonna elevate your travel game, not drain your bank account.

Happy travels, my friends!