Citi Double Cash® vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve
Side-by-side comparison
| Citi Double Cash® | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | $650 |
| Welcome offer | $200 cash back | |
| Dining | 2x | 1x |
| Groceries | 2x | 1x |
| Gas | 2x | 1x |
| Travel | 2x | 1x |
| Streaming | 2x | 1x |
| Everything else | 2x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $583 | $292 |
| Points type | Pools with Citi → transferable | Locked to Delta SkyMiles |
| Network | Mastercard | 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 Citi Double Cash® earns about $583 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi Double Cash® 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 Citi Double Cash® delivers more total value, about $942 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and groceries. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Double Cash® earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Double Cash® if you will use travel transfers, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve if you want simplicity. 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 Double Cash® if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.