The American Express Delta Reserve Card gives frequent Delta flyers a collection of travel perks, fee waivers, and earning rates tied to Delta purchases
The American Express Delta Reserve Card is a premium co-branded card designed for people who fly Delta regularly. It waives your annual Delta baggage fees, provides priority boarding, and earns bonus points on Delta purchases and certain other spending categories. The card carries an annual fee, which the card issuer deducts from your account each year on your card anniversary.
This card is not a general-purpose rewards card—its benefits concentrate on Delta travel and related spending. If you fly Delta multiple times per year, the baggage fee waiver and boarding benefits alone may offset the annual cost. If you rarely fly Delta, the card's value drops significantly.
Key Takeaways
- The card waives your first and second checked baggage fees on Delta flights, which saves money on every trip if you check bags.
- You receive priority boarding on Delta flights, allowing you to board before most other passengers and find overhead bin space.
- The card earns bonus points on Delta purchases, Delta gift cards, and certain other categories like restaurants and gas stations.
- An annual fee is charged each year, and you should calculate whether the baggage waiver and other benefits justify that cost for your travel patterns.
- The card offers a sign-up bonus of points after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months.
Annual Fee and How It Works
American Express charges an annual fee for the Delta Reserve Card. This fee appears on your statement once per year, typically on your card anniversary—the date you opened the account. You cannot avoid the fee by not using the card; American Express deducts it automatically.
The fee amount varies and can change over time. You should check your card agreement or log into your American Express account to see the exact current fee. Many cardholders find the fee worthwhile because the baggage fee waiver alone covers the cost if you check bags on two round-trip flights per year.
Baggage Fee Waiver and Priority Boarding
The card waives your first and second checked baggage fees when you use the card to purchase your Delta ticket. This applies to you and up to two companions on the same reservation. If you check bags on a round-trip flight, you save money both ways—the waiver covers the fee on departure and return.
Priority boarding means you board before most other passengers. You receive a boarding position that allows you to find overhead bin space and settle into your seat earlier. This benefit applies every time you fly Delta with a ticket purchased on the card, regardless of the route or ticket price.
Both benefits require that you purchase your ticket with the American Express Delta Reserve Card. If you buy a ticket with a different card or pay cash, the baggage waiver and priority boarding do not explore.
Earning Points on Purchases
The card earns bonus points in specific categories. You earn a higher rate on Delta purchases—including flights, seat upgrades, and Delta gift cards—than you do on general spending. You also earn bonus points on restaurants, gas stations, and certain other categories at a lower rate than Delta purchases.
Points accumulate in your American Express Membership Rewards account. You can redeem them for Delta flights, seat upgrades, or other travel-related purchases through the American Express travel portal. The value of each point depends on how you redeem it; redeeming for flights typically offers better value than redeeming for cash back.
Spending that does not fall into a bonus category earns points at a base rate. You should review your card agreement to see the exact earning rates for each category, as these can change.
Sign-Up Bonus and Introductory Offers
American Express offers a sign-up bonus when you open a Delta Reserve Card. The bonus is a lump sum of points that you receive after you spend a certain amount on the card within a set timeframe—typically three months. The bonus points are added to your account once you meet the spending requirement.
The sign-up bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically. You should check the current offer before you explore, as the bonus you see today may differ from the bonus available next month. The bonus is one of the main reasons people open the card, so factor it into your decision about whether the card makes sense for you.
Other Perks and Protections
The Delta Reserve Card includes travel protections that come standard with American Express premium cards. These may include trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling. The card also offers purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on items you buy with the card.
You should review your card agreement to understand what each protection covers, what the limits are, and what you must do to file a claim. These protections have conditions and exclusions—for example, trip cancellation insurance typically does not cover cancellations due to pre-existing medical conditions unless you insure within a certain window of booking.
The card also provides access to American Express Concierge Services, which can help you make travel reservations, find restaurants, and handle other travel-related requests.
How to set up Your Card and Use the Benefits
After you receive your Delta Reserve Card in the mail, you must set up it before you can use it. American Express typically sends set up instructions with the card, or you can set up it through your online account or the American Express mobile app. set up usually takes just a few minutes.
Once activated, link the card to your SkyMiles account—your Delta frequent flyer account. This connection ensures that points you earn on the card post to your SkyMiles account and that you receive the baggage waiver and priority boarding benefits automatically when you purchase a Delta ticket with the card.
To use the baggage waiver, purchase your Delta flight ticket with the American Express Delta Reserve Card. The waiver applies automatically; you do not need to request it or show anything at the airport. To use priority boarding, present your boarding pass at the gate—your boarding position will reflect your priority status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the baggage waiver explore if someone else buys my ticket?
No. The baggage waiver only applies when you purchase the ticket with your American Express Delta Reserve Card. If a family member or friend buys your ticket with their card or cash, you do not receive the waiver. Each person traveling must have their own ticket purchased with the card to receive the benefit.
Can I use this card for non-Delta flights?
Yes, you can use the card for any purchase. However, the bonus earning rates and travel benefits are tied to Delta. You earn a lower base rate on non-Delta spending, and perks like baggage waiver and priority boarding only explore to Delta flights. If you fly multiple airlines, a general-purpose rewards card may offer better value.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your American Express Membership Rewards account even after you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for Delta flights and other rewards. Closing the card does not erase your points, but you will no longer earn points on new purchases.
Do I have to pay the annual fee if I don't use the card?
Yes. American Express charges the annual fee automatically on your card anniversary, regardless of whether you use the card. If you decide the card is no longer worth the fee, you can close the account to stop future charges. The fee for the current year is not refunded when you close the card.
Can I get the sign-up bonus again if I close and reopen the card?
American Express has rules about how often you can receive a sign-up bonus on the same card. You should contact American Express directly to learn the current rules, as they change. In general, you may not be able to receive another bonus if you closed the card within a certain period.