Is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Worth the $650 Annual Fee?
Probably not for the rewards. Everyday earning (about $292 a year) still does not clear the $650 fee on this profile. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve is only worth it if you place real value on its perks, like lounge access or elite status, beyond their cash equivalent, or if you spend well above average.
Every credit, broken down
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve offsets its fee with statement credits and benefits. Here is every one, with the most you can get from each per year. Remember that credits only count if you would have spent that money anyway, and some renew on a monthly or semi-annual schedule you have to use or lose.
| Credit or benefit | Up to |
|---|---|
| Delta Sky Club access (15 visits/yr) | varies |
| Annual companion certificate (First Class or Comfort+) | varies |
| Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit | varies |
| First checked bag free on Delta flights | varies |
| Total stated value | $0 |
If you use all of it, that is $0 back against a $650 fee, leaving $650 of the fee for your rewards to make up.
What you earn on spending
Credits are only half the story; the card also earns rewards every time you swipe. On $29,160 of annual spending, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve earns about $292 a year at a flat 1 cent per point. The figure below is based on a typical household budget. See the full category breakdown in our Delta SkyMiles® Reserve review, or run your own numbers in the rewards calculator.
The break-even
Add it up. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve costs $650 a year. It leans on rewards, and everyday rewards add about $292. Even together that is $358 short of the fee, so the perks have to carry the rest. First-year holders also collect a welcome bonus worth about $1,250, pushing the first-year total to roughly $892.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve worth the annual fee?
- Probably not for the rewards. Everyday earning (about $292 a year) still does not clear the $650 fee on this profile. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve is only worth it if you place real value on its perks, like lounge access or elite status, beyond their cash equivalent, or if you spend well above average.
- How do you offset the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve annual fee?
- Through rewards and the welcome bonus. On a typical budget the card earns about $292 a year, so you need spending in its bonus categories to clear the fee.
- Is there a no-annual-fee alternative to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve?
- Yes. If you cannot clear the $650 fee, a no-fee card keeps every dollar of rewards as profit. See our ranked no-fee picks to compare.
