Free during beta. Plus launches at $12/mo or $99/yr on July 1. Annual is locked for 12 months during beta.
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex | Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | 100,000 miles | 70,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,100 | $980 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $7,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Only worthwhile if you actually use Delta SkyClubs, the access alone is worth the fee for frequent Delta flyers. The upgraded companion cert (can be used on First/Comfort+) is a big perk over the standard Platinum version.
Pure Admirals Club access card. If you spend more than ~$850/year on lounge passes or visit AA hubs frequently, the $595 fee is a layup. The 2024 refresh added ~$360/year in Lyft/Grubhub/Avis credits that often go unclaimed, plus the free checked bag for 9 travelers is undersold for family travelers.
TL;DR. Two premium airline cards with lounge access at the core. AAdvantage Executive ($595) includes Admirals Club membership (full access for cardholder and authorized users), earns 4x on American, and adds 2024-refresh credits of roughly $360/year in Lyft, Grubhub, and Avis credits. Delta Reserve ($650) includes Sky Club access for the cardholder and the upgraded First Class/Comfort+ companion certificate. Pick based on which airline you fly: American (Executive) or Delta (Reserve).
The three dimensions that actually decide it. First, lounge network. Admirals Club is more numerous in the U.S. (50+ locations); Sky Club is similar (~50). Both extend internationally via airline partner lounges. Second, companion certificate. Reserve has one (upgraded class); Executive does not include a companion cert. Third, fee. $55 difference. Executive is slightly cheaper.
Real customer scenario for each. If you fly American Airlines and use Admirals Club access for yourself plus authorized users (the AUs get access too), Executive's $595 covers everyone in the family at a single fee. If instead you fly Delta with a partner annually, Reserve's companion cert is a single-trip value of $500-1,500.
The trap to avoid. Holding both. The lounge access does not stack across airlines (American flights vs Delta flights). Pick one based on which carrier dominates your travel.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
