Im thinking of getting the Delta Skymiles Reserve. I fly typically once a month and am starting to do more international flight specifically to Australia. Delta seems like the best line for flying international but domestically, I fly 50% of the time united. My only reason for wanting the reserve is hopes of getting upgraded more. I know the cost is $650 a year but one international upgrade is worth it imo. What is everyone thoughts?
Is a Delta Card for upgrades?
byu/saltymilkshake01 inCreditCards
Posted by saltymilkshake01
8 Comments
Depends on where you fly from but Delta upgrades are few and far between unless you have high status. Not saying it can’t happen but with just the Reserve card you’ll be disappointed with how many times you actually get one.
the reserve card alone won’t guarantee upgrades – you still need status for those good seats. medallion status is what really matters for upgrades, not just having the card. if you’re flying that much though you might hit silver or gold status naturally which would help more than card itself
that said, the card does give you priority boarding and free bags which adds up quick on international routes. just don’t expect miracles on upgrade front without putting in the miles for actual status
That’s a horrific idea. You’ll almost never get any meaningful upgrades just buy having the card. If you value the other benefits fine
It kinda feels like chasing upgrades with that card alone might not hit like you expect, especially on long international routes where those seats barely trickle down and splitting flights between airlines makes it even harder to get real value from it.
The main way to recoup the annual fee with the Reserve is the annual first class companion certificate. My wife and I fly together often so that alone makes it worth it. The next best perk is the lounge access. You’ll get into Amex centurion lounges and Delta sky clubs. The MQD boost will also help you achieve status faster by giving you 1 MQD for every $10 in spend. Having both status and the Reserve card can increase your likelihood of getting upgraded but if that’s your sole reason for wanting the card then you’re going to be disappointed.
If you’re flying Topeka to Atlanta on Wednesday afternoons then yeah, you might get some upgrades.
The Reserve will not get you upgraded on longhaul international flights beyond Comfort+
Many many people have that card. Your chances of being upgraded are somewhere between 0-1%. You may get a PE upgrade but you are likely never going to see the insides of a biz cabin if you are relying on upgrades.