I admit it, I’m a bit of a fan of the Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card. I’ve even written about my enthusiasm for it before. This card has been my ticket to accessing many Delta Sky Club Airport lounges and has provided me with an annual companion certificate, allowing me to bring friends or family along when I fly.
But there’s more to love about the Delta Amex Reserve now.
For a limited time, new members can earn a whopping 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months on qualifying purchases. That’s quite the bonus—estimated at $1,150 based on TPG’s July 2025 assessment.
One of the best ways to utilize the benefits of Delta Amex Reserve is through monthly Resy statement credits. Cardholders can snag up to $240 a year (that’s $20 per month) on purchases made at US restaurants that partner with Resy. This perk is surprisingly easy to access; sometimes, I earn these credits without even noticing.
Here’s how it works.
Cards that Earn Resy Statement Credits
It’s not every day that card perks are so straightforward, but recently, that’s exactly what happened. Before diving into the details, let’s outline the statement credits available for cards that earn Resy credits.
We have the full lineup of Delta and American Express co-brand cards. It’s noteworthy that I received an annual fee increase in 2024 along with some changed perks. I’ll focus here on cards that offer the same statement credit as the Delta Reserve Amex.
Here’s a closer look at the annual and monthly statement credits available:
- Delta stays for prepaid hotels and vacation rentals (via the Delta Hotel Travel Portal)
- Eligible purchases at Resy restaurants in the U.S.*
- Select ride services such as Uber, Lyft, Revel, Curb, Alto*
*Registration is required for select perks. Terms apply.
The statement credit amounts can vary depending on the card. If you have any of these five cards, you can leverage the listed credits to offset your annual fee. TPG offers an excellent guide on maximizing these credits, so I won’t get into all that here. Let’s return to my surprise credits.
Earn Monthly Resy Statement Credits
With the Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card, when I book a meal at a U.S. restaurant through the Resy system, I can earn a credit up to $240 a year (again, that’s $20 a month). You might think I’d be shocked by the idea of dining at specific restaurants to earn these credits, but actually, it did catch me off guard.
What surprised me more is that you don’t even have to book through Resy to earn these credits. Just use the qualified card to pay your bill at participating restaurants. I really didn’t anticipate earning credits until I got an email alerting me that I had received a $20 Resy credit.
At the time, my husband was away, and I was in a bit of a routine, primarily grabbing fast food for the kids. I figured there’s no way that a trip to McDonald’s would qualify. (They have their own rewards program, after all.)
Thankfully, Amex makes it simple to see what charge triggered a Resy credit. After logging into my account, I found that a $20 transaction from a restaurant in New York City popped up. Turns out, it was a meal my husband had while he was traveling. Mystery solved!
In larger cities like New York, you’ll find plenty of participating restaurants. If you happen to dine there, using your eligible AMEX card can lead to unexpected statement credits.
In my hometown, however, the options are a bit limited. I’ve had to be more strategic about planning my monthly Resy credits. My approach includes checking the restaurant list at the start of each month, ensuring I remember to stop by for dinner or drinks. If I’m traveling, I look ahead to find qualifying restaurants in my destination.
Finding a participating restaurant is pretty straightforward. You can use the Resy website or app to locate and book nearby options—or even drop in without a reservation. Just remember to pay with a qualified AMEX card.
Other Real-World Examples
TPG Senior Editor Nick Ewen has also had success using Resy credits. He recently received a $20 credit at a restaurant on Restaurant Row in New York City, which helped offset part of a brunch he enjoyed with his family in South Florida.
He even bought a physical gift card at a local restaurant for a friend’s birthday, which resulted in a $20 credit. Anecdotal evidence suggests that purchasing a gift card often triggers these credits, but it can vary based on how the restaurant processes the charge.
Conclusion
The monthly Resy statement credits can total up to $240 a year. There are also up to $120 in annual ride statement credits, along with Delta maintains credits of about $200. So, that’s a total savings of $560 a year, which nearly covers the Delta Reserve Amex’s annual fee of $650. Keep in mind that some perks do require registration.
When you factor in other perks of the card, such as the annual companion certificate, 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year, and free checked bags, it’s pretty clear how the value stacks up against that $650 fee. If you’re contemplating adding the Delta Amex to your wallet, there’s potential for significant returns, especially with the introductory welcome offer.
For further details, check out the complete Delta Reserve Amex review.
