United℠ Gateway vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
Side-by-side comparison
| United℠ Gateway | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | $650 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 40,000 bonus miles | |
| Dining | 1x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 2x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $320 | $292 |
| Points type | Locked to United MileagePlus | Locked to Delta SkyMiles |
| Network | Visa | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the United℠ Gateway earns about $320 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The United℠ Gateway has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the United℠ Gateway delivers more total value, about $679 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on gas. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the United℠ Gateway if your spending leans toward gas.