Are the annual credit card fees worth $ 650? Here is why I think the Delta reserves deserve it

Despite the number of changes made by the American Express on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express – and its annual fees of $ 650 (See rates and fees– I renew my account for another year.

When I applied for a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card a few years ago, it came with unlimited visits to Delta Sky (when flying with airline) and annual fees less than $ 550.

At that time, it looked like a great deal because I am a member of the Medallion Ellite, a member of Delta and fly repeatedly with the airline and SkyTeam partners. Paying the price of Sky Club’s membership directly – currently $ 695 – so get this card through a travel credit card that also provides frequently sharing benefits is great.

Now, to the bad. Delta made some major changes to this card last year, which I do not like.

Cards members now get only 15 visits to Sky Clubs every year unless they spend $ 75,000 on their cards during a evaluation year. The annual card fees rose from $ 550 to $ 650 a year, making it expensive like the American Express Platinum® card.

Moreover, the Delta changed its loyalty program so that it now earns the elite positioning only by setting the dollars of the medal qualifications (MQDs) on the basis of spending. Regardless of these unfortunate changes, here is the reason I decided to keep the card.

All that is presented by Delta reserves

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the Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express The gain prices remained the same, but I do not use this card for many daily purchases. In addition to a generous welcome reward, card holders with a reserve 3 times the purchase of Delta and 1 x tendency to spend the other qualified.

Card holders also get a set of concessions covered when they fly, including:

• Access to the Amex Centure hall at flying with Delta and pay amex card
• Priority upgrade, annual companion certificate
• Graphics balance for global entry or TSA Prechack
• The first free examination bag
• 20 % again on the purchases on the plane
• Region 5 ascending to climb
• Some of the advantages of travel insurance

Most of the Delta Cards (including reserve) also get a 15 % prize recovery through the 15th take -off program.

However, Delta and Amex announced some new advantages with this card, which was scheduled to enter into force in early 2024. This includes:

• Enhanced the dollars of the medals qualifications to spend credit cards (1 MQD per 10 dollars in the purchases imposed on the card)
• MQD Headstart with 2500 MQDs
• 240 dollars of RSY credits annually ($ 20 per month)
• Up to 240 dollars in the annual credits for the purchase of Rideshare ($ 10 per month)
• An improved annual accompanying certificate that now includes destinations in the Caribbean and Central Sea region
• $ 200 Delta remains credit annually
• He put the head of the Hertz President
• Four Delta Sky Club

MQDs is how you progress through elite membership levels in Delta. It takes $ 5,000 to reach silver, $ 10,000 for gold, $ 15,000 for platinum and $ 28,000 for diamonds. Each rank expands the privileges offered by the previous class. MQDs reset every evaluation year.

Why do I think the Delta reserves deserve it

Although I am not pleased with the payment of $ 650 Annual fees to Airlines credit cardIn the end, I decided that I would get a great value in return. This is mainly because I will use (and I need) Sky Club entries that come with the card.

I also love the 2500 MQDs that I get now through MQD Headstart Benefit, which is part of the reason I am on the right path to earn the Delta Medallion Platinum this year.

In addition, I found early that the $ 200 credit is easy to use. I have already been used for me this orthodontic year since it was applied to my card before I gave me the opportunity to renew. The reservation portal allows you to make reservations in hotels and resorts around the world. I used it to establish one hotel before a cruise, as it got a value of $ 200 in the direction of the annual card fees.

I am also happy with a bachelor’s certificate. The previous version of this feature applies only to local trips. I do not fly much in the United States, but the ability to use this certificate for trips to the Caribbean is ensuring that I will use them well.

Finally, the MQD batch is not quite value like the previous program. It still helps me to win the elite condition.

How do I get the maximum benefit from my DELTA Reserve Card

I visit Delta Sky Clubs at least 10 times a year, and I appreciate each visit at $ 50 as I usually eat a meal and some drinks at a time. Although the normal airport food is expensive and disappointing, I did not eat an unfortunate meal at Sky Club.

This card also comes with four guest passes every year, which is worth $ 50 for me where I can use it to bring my children to the hall (my husband has the membership of the Delta Sky Club). When adding up to 14 visits to the Delta Sky clubs that I can use, this works to $ 700 in value.

I also plan to achieve the maximum benefit from this card with an improved annual escort certificate and the credit delta remains.

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

Tips to get enough value from an advanced travel card

If you are wondering whether you can get enough value from an advanced travel credit card to justify its annual fees, evaluate its benefits and rewards first.

For example, add up to the value of the privileges that you can receive and know what you deserve for you, then compare annual fees and determine whether it is logical.

Most people know that advanced travel credit cards are directed towards individuals who often travel and can benefit from the benefits. If you rarely fly, you may not get a large value of privileges such as reaching the airport lounge, or the advantages of the elite condition, or ascending to climbing to the priority or free bags that have been examined.

But there is one variable that can even make the most expensive cards worthy in the short term. Most of the great travel credit cards offer great Welcome offers It can make the first year of membership worth all this trouble.

For example, the Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express card provides 70,000 miles new customers after spending $ 6000 in qualified purchases within six months of card membership. Given that the Delta Skimel is worth about 1.2 cents each, according to BankrateThis reward is equal to $ 840 when used in Airfare.

The bottom line

I hope that I do not have to pay $ 650 to get a Delta Skymiles ® Reserve American Express for another year, but I finally decided that the drawings deserve all this effort in the end.

I do not enter Sky clubs more than 10 or 12 times a year anyway, so the new boundaries will not harm me. In addition, the new cards holders make it more valuable to me as a consumer and as a member of the elite who always tries to secure the Delta medal for another year.

However, there are other Delta credit cards with much less annual fees. Make sure to compare the best cards from the Delta to find the appropriate suitability, or consider the distinct travel credit cards with convertible bonuses if you want more flexibility.

*All information was collected on the Capital One Venture X credit card independently by CNET and was not reviewed by the source.

For prices and fees for the Delta Skymiles American Express, click here.