Is the $ 650 annual credit card fee too much? That’s why I think the Delta Reserve is worth it

Despite a number of changes, America Express has made Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card and its $ 650 annual fee ($ 650 (See Tariffs and Fees) – I renew my account for another year.

When I applied for Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card a few years ago, she came with unlimited visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying with the airline) and a less annual fee of $ 550.

Then it seemed like a star transaction, as I am a member of Delta Medallion Elite and I often fly with the airline and its Skyteam partners. Payment for Sky Club membership is expensive – currently $ 695 – so getting this bonus through a travel credit card, which also offers frequent benefits for leaflets, is great.

Now, the bad. Delta has made some major changes to this card in the last year that I don’t like.

Card now the best everyone pick up only 15 Sky Clubs visits every year, unless they spend $ 75,000 on their cards within a calendar year. The annual card fee also increased from $ 550 to $ 650 a year, making it almost as expensive as the Platinum Card® from American Express.

On top of that, Delta has changed your loyalty program, so now you can earn only elite status by accumulating qualifying dollars for a MQDS based on costs. Despite these unhappy changes, so I decided to keep the card.

The whole Delta reserve can offer

Thehe Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card is the high -end Delta card with all the bells and whistles you would expect, including a good offer for welcome, a reward prize program and sought after advantages as a companion and several annual travel loans.

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Thehe Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card Profit prices remained the same, but I do not use this card for many daily purchases. In addition to the generous welcome bonus, reserve card holders earn 3 times miles when purchases of Delta and 1x miles at other eligible costs.

Card holders also get a number of advantages when flying, including:

• Access to Amex Centurion Lounge when you fly Delta and pay with Amex Card
• Upgrade priority, annual companion certificate
• Loan for a global entry fee or TSA Precheck
• First main bag free
• 20% back to purchases during flight
• Zone 5 Priority Upload Upload
• Some travel benefits

Most Delta card holders (including the reserve) also receive a 15% discount on redemption of prizes through the airline take -off program 15.

However, Delta and Amex have announced some new advantages with this card that had to come into force in early 2024. They include:

• Medallion Qualification Dollars is increasing for credit card costs (1 MQD for every $ 10 on purchases accrued on the card)
• MQD Headstart with 2500 mqds
• $ 240 in Rsy Credits annually ($ 20 per month)
• Up to $ 240 annual credits for RideShare purchases ($ 10 per month)
• Improved Annual Certificate for a companion who now includes Caribbean destinations and Central America
• $ 200 Delta remains credit annually
• The status of the President’s Circle of Hertz
• Four Delta Sky Club Guests

MQDs are how you progress through Delta’s elite membership. It takes $ 5,000 MQD to reach silver, $ 10,000 for gold, $ 15,000 for platinum and $ 28,000 for Diamond. Each rank expands to the previous level offered from the previous level. MQDS reset every calendar year.

Why I think the Delta Reserve is worth it

Although I’m not excited about paying $ 650 Annual fee for Airline Credit CardIn the end, I decided that I would get a lot of value in return. This is mainly because I will (and have to use) Sky Club entries that come with the map.

I also love the 2500 mqds, which I now go through the advantage of MQD Headstart, which is part of the reason for being about to win the Platinum status of Delta Medallion Platinum this year.

In addition, I found out early that Delta of $ 200 remains a loan is easy to use. I already used mine for this calendar year as it applied to my card before I even got the opportunity to renew. Delta’s reservation portal allows you to make reservations in hotels and resorts around the world. I used it for one stay at the hotel before a cruise, receiving a value of $ 200 back to the annual card fee.

I am also happy with the certificate for an improved companion. The previous version of this Perk was applied only to domestic flights. I do not fly much to the US, but if I can use this travel certificate to the Caribbean, it guarantees that I will use it well.

Finally, I don’t mind the increase of MQD is not as valuable as the previous program. It still helps me win elite status.

How do I get the maximum from my Delta Reserve Card

I visit the Delta Sky clubs at least 10 times a year and appreciate each visit to $ 50, as I usually have food and several drinks every time. And although regular food at the airport is both expensive and disappointing, I have never had a regretful food at a club in heaven.

This card is also available with four guests passes every year, which cost me $ 50, as I can use them to take my children to the salon (my husband has his own membership of Delta Sky Club). When you add the 14 visits to Delta Sky Clubs, which I consider to use, this comes up to $ 700.

I also plan to make the most of this card with the improved annual companion certificate and Delta remains a loan.

I will also add my card to my RideShare accounts so that I can take advantage of the $ 10 monthly reports. I rarely ride with Uber or Lyft, so I haven’t done it yet.

Tips for getting enough value from a high -end travel card

If you are wondering if you can get enough value from a high -end credit card to justify its annual fee, first evaluate its benefits and prizes.

For example, add the value of the benefits you can get and see what they cost for you, then compare with the annual fee and decide if it makes sense.

Most people know that high -end credit cards are aimed at people who travel often and can benefit from the benefits. If you rarely fly, you may not get a large value of advantages such as access to the airport salon, benefits to the elite status, priority upload or free checked bags.

But there is one variable that can make even the most expensive cards that are worth it in the short term. Most premium travel credit cards offer large Welcome offers This can make the first year of membership worth it, no matter what.

For example, Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card offers new customers 70,000 bonus miles after spending $ 6,000 on eligible purchases within six months of card membership. Given that Delta Skymiles cost approximately 1.2 cents, according to BangaraThis bonus costs $ 840 when used for airline tickets.

Bottom line

I wish I didn’t have to pay $ 650 to have Delta Skymiles ® Reserve American Express Card for another year, but in the end I decided that the fee was worth it.

I never go to Sky Clubs more than 10 or 12 times a year, so the new boundaries will not harm me. Plus, the new card holders make it more pronounced for me as a user and as an elite member who always tries to provide Delta medallion for another year.

This said that there are other Delta credit cards with much smaller annual fees. Be sure to compare the best cards from Delta to find the right fit or consider premium credit cards with portable prizes if you want more flexibility.

*All Capital One Venture X Credit Card information has been collected regardless of CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

For Delta Skymiles Reserve American Express card rates and fees, click on hereS