My foray into the world of credit cards, points and miles started when I joined TPG a few years ago. I had a few cards before working here, but I didn’t think much about the card to use or when or how to maximize the advantages.
Now that I am surrounded by credit card experts every day, my strategy has radically changed. I added about four new cards to my wallet and I even made a spreadsheet to make sure to use the right card for the right purchases.
Of these new cards, my Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card provided some of the most useful advantages. Here are five reasons why I like this card and how I get the best party.
Delta steering wheel advantages
In fact, I had not put my feet in an airport lounge until I started working at TPG, but This card Delivered with free access to the salons of the Delta Sky Club And American Express Centurion Lounges during his trips on a flight of the same day, marked with the Delta or operated by Delta. Now I can visit a living room almost every time I fly.
A calm space to work or rest between flights is a great help during a long stopover. Or, if I am a responsible adult and go early to the airport, I can have a bite to eat or a drink before my flight without paying the high prices of the airport.
With my reserve of Delta Skymiles, I also receive four Passez-Passe guests unique clubs each year during the renewal of the accounts, which allows me to bring family members or friends to the living room with me when we travel together.
The members of the Delta reserve card are limited to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year, but it is easy for me to follow my visits to the Delta application. The visits to Centurion Lounge are still unlimited, so even if I had to use my 15 Sky club visits, I could always go there.
In addition to access to the show, I receive my first bag checked for free (this extends to passengers traveling with me, so it is a huge advantage when I travel with my three children), priority boarding and reductions on flight purchases and reward buyouts. The Delta Skymiles reserve also provides a declaration credit for the world entry or the TSA precision, so that I can cross the airport each time I fly.
Welcome offer
Right now, the Delta Reserve Amex Offers new members of the card the possibility of winning 100,000 miles bonus after spending $ 6,000 for eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card is delivered with annual fees of $ 650 (see prices and costs).
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After winning the bonus, I bought a few kilometers to book positioning flights for my first major price for buying in Germany and Belgium with my husband. A few months later, I also used some of the points to bring my family during a work trip to Disneyland. The cost of flights when we fly all five can add up quickly. The welcome bonus that I won with the Delta Skymiles reserve was a great help to maintain our flight expenses so that we can make follies a little in Disney.
Useful declaration credits
Last year, Delta reorganized the monthly and annual credits for several cards, including the Delta Amex reserve. I admit that I am not the biggest fan of monitoring credit loans, but I want to maximize the value of my card, so I do my best to connect them to a spreadsheet and keep it up to date.
The easiest to use is up to $ 120 in draw credits per year (up to $ 10 in monthly credits). Not a month ago that does not use Lyft or Uber at least once. This credit is valid on certain carpooling services in registration in the United States is necessary; The terms apply.
My card is also delivered with up to $ 200 in Delta Stays credits each year. My husband travels almost every week for work, so we have several opportunities to use this credit on one of his eligible hotel stays. All he has to do is book on the Delta Stays website and pay with the Delta Reserve Amex to obtain this advantage.
Related: how do I get this monthly credit on my Delta Amex without even trying
This card also brings me up to $ 240 per year (up to $ 20 per month) in declaration credits for use in American restaurants. There is not a ton of restaurants eligible in my region, so I don’t always remember using it. However, I became creative by buying gift cards in eligible restaurants and verifying eligible catering places when I travel. Most months, I find a way to use it, even if it takes a little virtual work on my side.
Flexible rewards
When I looked for delta skymiles, I was impressed by my options. You can exchange Skymiles for Delta flights, like me, and for flights to partner airlines like Air France, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic and Westjet. This opens a ton of choice of flight.
I also like the way Delta displays its award prize. In the example above, I took dates from April 9 to April 12 for a return flight between my original airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
In addition to visualizing the prices of my dates, Delta displays the price of alternative dates combinations. You can get even better buy -in value if your dates are flexible. Some airlines make it difficult to find the best price availability, so I appreciate the easy -to -use calendar of Delta.
My card also brings me a 15% discount on reward flights, which allowed me to stretch my kilometers even further.
Annual company certificate
With my Delta Skymiles ReserveI get an annual companion certificate added to my account each year after my birthday. The companion certificate is valid for a round trip to select domestic, Caribbean or Central America destinations.
When you buy a first-class round trip ticket, Delta Comfort + or the main cabin, you can use the certificate so that the companion steals with you for free. You just have to pay taxes and costs on the second post.
I used my first support certificate to get my eldest son and I in New York before flying for Paris. This year, I use it to fly myself and my husband at Disney World for a Randisney race.
End
Choose Delta Skymiles Reserve was obvious to someone still relatively new to points and miles. Although it is not the most lucrative, the gain structure is simple.
But that is not the real reason why I like this card. As a person who often steals Delta, the advantages such as access to lounge, a free square bag and an annual company certificate are unrivaled.
To find out more, read our complete review of the Delta reserve.
Apply here: Delta Skymiles Reserve American Express Map
For the prices and costs of the Delta Skymiles reserve, please click here.
