Citi Strata Elite℠ vs Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business

Citi Strata Elite℠
VS
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business
The short answer: The Citi Strata Elite℠ delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Citi Strata Elite℠Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business
Annual fee$595$550
Welcome offer100,000 ThankYou® Points125,000 miles
Advertising1.5%1%
Shipping1.5%1%
Office supplies1.5%1%
Phone & internet1.5%1%
Travel12%3%
Everything else1.5%1%
Est. yearly rewards*$1,206$546
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsLocked 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 Strata Elite℠ earns about $1,206 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business about $546, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi Strata Elite℠ charges $595, but carries about $700 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business charges $550, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Citi Strata Elite℠ delivers more total value, about $965 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel and everything else. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata Elite℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Strata Elite℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business better?
On typical business spending, the Citi Strata Elite℠ comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $965 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 Strata Elite℠ 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 Strata Elite℠ or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business?
As of June 2026, the Citi Strata Elite℠ offers 100,000 ThankYou® Points 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.