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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex vs Citi Strata Premier Card

Both are travel travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex comes from American Express at $650/yr; the Citi Strata Premier Card from Citi at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the Citi Strata Premier Card, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Reserve AmexCiti Strata Premier Card
Annual fee$650$95
Sign-up bonus100,000 miles60,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$1,100$1,020
Min spend to unlock bonus-$4,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressCiti
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Travel)3x3x
Transfer partnersNoneciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • SkyClub access
  • First/Comfort+ companion cert
  • 100k miles bonus
  • Centurion access
  • 10x CitiTravel.com hotels/cars/attractions
  • 3x on restaurants, groceries, flights, hotels, gas, EV
  • $100 hotel savings benefit
  • No foreign transaction fees
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex
$650/yr · 100,000 miles
Read the full review
Citi Strata Premier Card
$95/yr · 60,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

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.

Editorial take: Citi Strata Premier Card

A strong mid-tier card with the late-2024 refresh adding 10x on CitiTravel.com and EV charging to the 3x grid. The $100 hotel benefit and 16 transfer partners (Avianca, Flying Blue, Turkish, Virgin Atlantic, Wyndham) make it competitive with Sapphire Preferred at the same $95 fee.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex or Citi Strata Premier Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex has the bigger bonus, 100,000 miles, worth roughly $1,100, versus 60,000 bonus points (~$1,020) on the Citi Strata Premier Card.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex's $650 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Premier Card?
Premium cards like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex ($650/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $650+ of those credits, the math works. The Citi Strata Premier Card at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex and Citi Strata Premier Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex or the Citi Strata Premier Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex: no published min spend. Citi Strata Premier Card: $4,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

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.