Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs Discover it® Student Cash Back
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Discover it® Student Cash Back | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | Cashback Match in year 1 | |
| Dining | 1x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $292 | $292 |
| Points type | Locked to Delta SkyMiles | Cash back only |
| Network | Amex | Discover |
*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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve earns about $292 a year in rewards and the Discover it® Student Cash Back about $292, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Discover it® Student Cash Back has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Discover it® Student Cash Back delivers more total value, about $650 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 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.