What is the Delta Reserve card upgrade offer?

[Rock2.0]

What is the Delta Reserve card upgrade offer?

 

[Sharon]

The Reserve Card Upgrade Secret: Priority and the Companion Ticket

That’s a great question, and it’s one I had myself a few years ago! The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is their top-tier credit card, and the "upgrade offer" is less about a single welcome bonus and more about a suite of benefits that radically change your flight experience.

The upgrade power of the card boils down to two key things: Upgrade Priority and the Annual Companion Certificate.

My Run-In with The Upgrade List​

I was flying home from Seattle to Atlanta last spring, a notoriously packed route with lots of Delta Medallion members (the frequent flyers). I’m a Platinum Medallion, so I usually get a complimentary upgrade to First Class without a problem.

This particular flight, however, was booked solid. I checked the upgrade list an hour before departure, and I was sitting at number 4 on a list of about 15. The gate agent announced there was only one First Class seat left. I figured I was out of luck, until the agent called my name!

I went up and asked, slightly confused, "How did I move up so quickly?" The agent smiled and pointed at her screen. "You're a Platinum Medallion and a Reserve cardholder. That card gives you priority tie-breaker over other Platinums who don't have it."

That was my lightbulb moment. The Delta Reserve Card doesn't give you more upgrades, it gives you higher priority on the upgrade list than other flyers in your same Medallion tier (e.g., a Reserve Gold Medallion will get priority over a non-Reserve Gold Medallion). Even if you don't have Medallion status, the card puts you on the complimentary upgrade list behind all Medallion members!

The Annual First Class Upgrade Offer​

The other major, guaranteed upgrade offer that comes with the Reserve Card is the Annual Companion Certificate. This is the real deal and the one benefit that makes the high annual fee worth it for many travelers.

Every year, upon renewal, you receive a certificate for a buy-one-get-one-free domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight. The crucial part for you is that this certificate is valid for the Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, and Delta First Class! You buy one ticket, and the second ticket is free—you only pay the government-imposed taxes and fees (which are generally very low, $22-$250).

I used my last one to take my mom on a First Class trip to visit my sister in Los Angeles. The difference in comfort on a transcontinental flight was amazing, and I only had to pay the taxes on her seat while booking First Class seats.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Benefits​

1. For Priority Upgrades: Ensure your SkyMiles number linked to your Reserve Card is on your reservation. Delta handles the rest automatically.
2. For the Companion Certificate: The certificate appears in your Delta SkyMiles account profile under "Certificates, eCredits, & Vouchers" after your card renewal. You must book the flight via the Delta website and select the certificate during the process.

If you have any trouble finding an eligible flight, booking a complex itinerary with the certificate, or checking on your status in the complimentary upgrade queue, don't waste time on the app. The best way to instantly book, cancel, or modify flights when dealing with these complex benefits is to call their dedicated line. Keep this number handy: 888-217-3324. A live agent can often check for inventory that the website might not readily show for the Companion Certificate.

The Delta Reserve Card upgrade offer is essentially priority on the waitlist and a guaranteed annual First Class ticket for a friend! It's a fantastic value proposition.