Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business

Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp®
VS
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business
The short answer: The Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business if you spend more on travel.

Side-by-side comparison

Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp®Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business
Annual feeNo annual fee$550
Welcome offer15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after $500 in 3 months60,000 125,000 miles (limited-time)
Advertising1%1%
Shipping1%1%
Office supplies1%1%
Phone & internet1%1%
Travel1%3%
Everything else1%1%
Est. yearly rewards*$450$546
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 business spending, the Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® earns about $450 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business about $546, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business charges $550, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® delivers more total value, about $454 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it skips the annual fee the other charges. 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 Business 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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business if your spending leans toward travel.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business better?
On typical business spending, the Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® comes out ahead, by roughly $454 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business 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® MileUp® and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business?
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® MileUp® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business?
As of June 2026, the Citi® / AAdvantage® MileUp® offers 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after $500 in 3 months and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business offers 125,000 miles. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.