Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve

Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
VS
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
The short answer: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
Annual fee$350$650
Welcome offer90,000 miles60,000 125,000 SkyMiles (limited-time)
Dining2x1x
Groceries1x1x
Gas1x1x
Travel3x1x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$365$292
Points typeLocked to American Airlines AAdvantageLocked 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 Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® earns about $365 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® charges $350, 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 Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® delivers more total value, about $373 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel and dining. 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 Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® if your spending leans toward dining, travel.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve better?
On typical household spending, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $373 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 Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ 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 Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve?
As of June 2026, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® offers 90,000 miles 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.