Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
VS
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
The short answer: The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
Annual fee$95$650
Welcome offer60,000 points60,000 125,000 SkyMiles (limited-time)
Dining1x1x
Groceries5x1x
Gas5x1x
Travel1x1x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$618$292
Points typeLocked to Choice PrivilegesLocked to Delta SkyMiles
NetworkMastercardAmex

*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 Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® earns about $618 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® delivers more total value, about $881 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and 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 Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® if your spending leans toward groceries, gas.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve better?
On typical household spending, the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $881 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve?
As of June 2026, the Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® offers 60,000 points and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve offers 125,000 SkyMiles. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.