Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | 125,000 points | |
| Dining | 1x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 3x |
| Travel | 1x | 3x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $292 | $431 |
| Points type | Locked to Delta SkyMiles | Locked to IHG One Rewards |
| Network | Amex | Mastercard |
*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 IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card about $431, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card delivers more total value, about $789 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 two are currently comparable in size. Note that Delta SkyMiles® Reserve is running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card if your spending leans toward dining, gas, travel.