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[2026 Update] The Amex "Purple Metal Card": A Complete Guide to the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card. Benefits, Annual Fee and Rewards: How Do You Earn Back the $650 Fee? These Two Benefits Alone Cover It!

 

 

For immigrants living in the U.S., choosing the right airline co-branded card can make trips home or travel within the U.S. a lot better. The American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve (known among Chinese-speaking cardholders as the AE Delta "purple-gold card" or "metal card") has long been the ultimate weapon for loyal Delta fans.

Why are people willing to pay a fee as high as $650 for this card? In this article I go through the 2026 benefits and do the math for you, so you can see whether it fits your life in the U.S.

1. 2026 limited-time welcome offer (Welcome Offer)

Delta Reserve currently has a very generous limited-time offer:

  • The offer: Spend $6,000 within 6 months of opening your card and get 125,000 miles (in two stages: 100k + 25k).

  • Deadline: April 1, 2026.

  • Estimated value: Delta miles are worth about 1.2 cents each, so this welcome bonus is worth about $1,500, enough to cover more than two years of annual fees.

2. Core benefits: why is it worth a $650 annual fee?

1. A free "Companion Certificate" every year (Companion Certificate)

This is the card'smost powerful "pay for itself" benefit. Starting in your second year as a cardholder, you get a Companion Certificate each year after you renew.

  • Highlight: It works not only in economy but also in First Class and Delta Comfort+ !

  • Coverage: All 50 U.S. states, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

  • Practical tip: If you take your family to Hawaii or Cancún every year, a single First Class ticket can easily cost $800–$1,200, so this benefit alone puts you ahead on the annual fee.

2. Airport lounges: Delta Sky Club & Centurion Lounge

  • Delta Sky Club: You get 15 free visits a year (unlimited if you spend $75,000 in a year).

  • Centurion Lounge: As long as you're flying Delta that day, you can use the Amex Centurion Lounge for free.

  • Who benefits: For immigrants who often connect through Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX) or New York (JFK), it's a big step up in comfort.

3. Earn status faster (MQD Boost)

If you're going after Delta Medallion status, this card gives you a head start of $2,500 MQD every year, plus $1 MQD for every $10 you spend. For people who don't want to fly all the time but still want high-tier status, this is a shortcut.

3. New for 2026: everyday credits (statement credits)

To offset the high annual fee, Amex has added a lot of "everyday" credits. If you already spend in these areas, the annual fee feels much lighter:

  • $240 Resy dining credit: $20 a month, applied automatically when you dine at participating restaurants.

  • $120 Rideshare credit: $10 a month, usable on Uber or Lyft.

  • $200 Delta Stays hotel credit: $200 off hotels booked through Delta's website each year.

4. Editor's review: who should get this card?

Who should get it:

  1. Die-hard Delta fans: You're based at a Delta hub airport (such as SEA, MSP, DTW, SLC).

  2. You care about travel quality: You want free checked bags, priority boarding and a chance at free upgrades.

  3. You travel as a family: You take a long trip for two every year, which lets you get the most value out of the Companion Certificate.

Who shouldn't get it:

  1. You fly only occasionally: If you fly fewer than twice a year, consider the Gold card with a $150 annual fee.

  2. You can't use up the credits: If you don't like going to Resy restaurants and don't take Uber much, the annual fee becomes a heavy burden.

5. Summary

Amex Delta Reserve is more than a credit card; it's a "travel pass." After the 2026 fee increase, it's aimed even more at premium users whocare about travel comfort and status. If you're planning a family trip next year, now, with the 125k welcome bonus, is the best time to get in.

Below is my own record (Taurus here) of the credits and miles I've earned. First, the "Partner Progamm Eglible *Need to enroll" offers, which you have to enroll in manually:

  • Starbucks reload $100 reward: 200 miles! Load $100 and the 200 miles post right away~
  • Uber / Uber Eats (I order delivery way too often): every $1 on delivery = 1 mile
    Earn up to 3 miles per eligible $1* spent: 1 mile on UberX airport rides, 2 miles on Premium rides (Comfort, Uber XL, SUV and Black) and 3 miles on Uber Reserve rides. Plus, get 1 mile per eligible $1 on qualifying Uber Eats orders over $40. Terms apply.
  • Resy restaurants: $20 credit per month. There are actually quite a lot of Resy restaurants. I pick a restaurant first, find out it's also on Resy, pay with the card and get the $20 credit
  • Rideshare $10 credit per month: on top of the Uber miles bonus above, there's an extra $10 credit; Lyft works too. I'm all-in on Uber myself, so I get the $10 credit plus the miles bonus

Next, the main event, travel perks: the money-saving world of ✈️ flights 🏠 stays 🚗 car rentals:

  • ✈️ MQD = the "dollars" of the Delta world. This card deposits 2,500 MQD every year, giving you a direct push toward upgrades
  • ✈️ SkyMiles program: Delta's miles program can be used with other major Asian airlines, so I used the 125,000-mile welcome offer for a free round-trip ticket between Korea and Los Angeles 😂
  • ✈️ Companion ticket*: first you have to wait until you pay the renewal fee to get the companion ticket. A round-trip ski trip ticket alone costs $400–$500, so saving that almost earns back the annual fee 😂
  • ✈️ Free checked bag:First Bag Checked Free (I went with my wife; you have to buy both tickets together on my card for both tickets to get one free checked bag each. We each checked a ski bag and just got on the plane in slippers and a jacket and slept 😂)
  • ✈️ Free lounge access: at big international airports you get 15 free Sky Club visits plus 4 guest passes. If my wife comes along no more than four times a year, there's no way to run out.
  • ✈️ Priority boarding: board first, sleep first
  • ✈️ Higher on the upgrade list: I always buy the cheapest seat, and with this card it feels like I win the lottery easily, haha
  • 🏡 Stays: I strongly recommend this whether you usually use Airbnb, Booking.com or another platform: search Delta Stays on Delta's website first. You'll find some options are up to 15% off, and booking on Delta Stays also earns miles. For example, for a ski trip to Big Bear Lake, I found the same place at the same price on Delta Stays, but with miles on top, so I immediately canceled my original booking and rebooked through Delta Stays 😂 Also, if Airbnb turns out to be cheaper, go ahead and book it! Right now the Amex card has an offer of $40 back when you spend $250 😂
  • 🚗 Car rentals: this Delta card partners directly with Hertz, so as a cardholder you go straight to Hertz's top tier, President's Circle. No waiting in line at pickup, obviously, but the main thing is: I only ever book the cheapest car, and members at this tier get a "guaranteed upgrade," which means no matter what, I pay the cheapest price and get a mid-to-high-end car. And besides earning miles on the spend, you get 1.5x Hertz's own reward points, which you can collect and redeem for free rental days!

👉 Here is the referral link for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ⬇️

Use it and earn rewards if you are approved and get a Card.
Check out offers and Card benefits.

I'm C.  I'm from Taiwan and now run a business in Los Angeles. When I first arrived, the challenges were everywhere! From the language barrier to culture shock, every small detail took me a long time to figure out. Those experiences taught me how to adapt quickly here, until I was in my element. I've put years of that experience on this site to help newcomers like me settle into life in the U.S. more easily and quickly. Whether it's moving here, finding a job or handling everyday tasks, you'll find plenty of practical shortcuts and solutions so you can skip the detours. I hope what I share helps you start your new life in America smoothly, with less effort and a lot more fun!

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