Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex: 70,000 Bonus Miles and Perks Worth the $650 Fee?

If Delta is your go-to airline, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card might be your new best friend. Right now, you can snag 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first six months. That's a solid chunk of miles, and when you factor in the other perks—like a yearly companion certificate and lounge access—this card starts to look pretty tempting, even with its $650 annual fee. Let's break down what you get and whether it's worth it for you.

What Makes the Welcome Offer Stand Out?

The headline here is 70,000 bonus miles after you put $5,000 in eligible spending on the card within your first six months. That's a reasonable spending requirement for a premium card—about $833 a month. If you can swing that, you're looking at a nice pile of miles.

Delta SkyMiles are typically valued at around 1.2 cents each, so 70,000 miles are worth roughly $840. That alone covers the annual fee and then some. But remember, the real value depends on how you redeem them. Using miles for award flights—especially on Delta or their partners—usually gives you the best bang for your buck.

• Spend $5,000 in 6 months to earn the bonus.
• 70,000 miles ≈ $840 in travel value at 1.2 cents per mile.
• Best used for award flights, not merchandise or gift cards.

The Companion Certificate: A Perk That Keeps Giving

One of the standout benefits is the annual companion certificate. After you renew your card each year, you get a Main Cabin round-trip companion ticket for a friend or family member. It's valid for flights within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. You just pay the taxes and fees—up to $80 for domestic trips, up to $250 for international ones.

If you travel with a partner even once a year, this perk can easily be worth a few hundred dollars. Just be aware of the fine print: baggage charges and other restrictions apply, and the certificate is only good for Main Cabin (not premium cabins). But for a free ticket, it's hard to complain.

• Valid for Main Cabin round-trip flights.
• Domestic taxes/fees capped at $80; international at $250.
• Up to four flight segments per itinerary.

Lounge Access and Travel Credits

This card gives you 15 visits per Medallion Year to Delta Sky Club lounges when you're flying Delta. If you spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year, those visits become unlimited. You also get four one-time guest passes each year, so you can bring friends or family along.

On top of that, there's a $200 annual Delta Stays credit for prepaid bookings on delta.com, and a $120 rideshare credit ($10 per month) for U.S. rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. These credits can offset a big chunk of the annual fee if you use them consistently.

• 15 Sky Club visits per year (unlimited after $75k spend).
• $200 Delta Stays statement credit annually.
• $120 rideshare credit ($10/month).

Things to Watch Out For

The $650 annual fee is steep, so this card isn't for casual travelers. You need to fly Delta enough to justify the cost. Also, the companion certificate has restrictions—it's only for Main Cabin, and you can't use it for premium seats. And while the lounge access is nice, the 15-visit cap might not be enough for frequent flyers unless you hit the $75k spend threshold.

Another thing: the bonus miles are great, but SkyMiles can be devalued over time. Make sure you have a plan to use them within a year or two. And as always, pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that could eat into your rewards.

• High annual fee—only worth it if you fly Delta regularly.
• Companion certificate limited to Main Cabin.
• SkyMiles value can fluctuate; use them promptly.

Bottom Line

• Earn 70,000 bonus miles after $5k spend in 6 months—worth ~$840 in travel.
• Annual companion certificate can save hundreds on a second ticket.
• Lounge access, checked bag, and boarding perks enhance the travel experience.
• High annual fee ($650) but offset by credits and perks if you use them.

Common Questions