Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve

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

Side-by-side comparison

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
Annual fee$99$650
Welcome offer80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after $3,500 in 4 months60,000 125,000 SkyMiles (limited-time)
Dining2x1x
Groceries1x1x
Gas2x1x
Travel1x1x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$343$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® Platinum Select® earns about $343 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® charges $99, 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® Platinum Select® delivers more total value, about $603 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on dining 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 Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® if your spending leans toward dining, gas.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve better?
On typical household spending, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $603 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® Platinum Select® 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® Platinum Select® or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve?
As of June 2026, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® offers 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after $3,500 in 4 months 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.