Travel Credit Cards · Tool Face-Off

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex vs United Explorer Card

Quick answer

Both cards target airline loyalists, but the United Explorer Card edges ahead with better lounge access perks and more flexible redemptions, while the Delta Gold wins on everyday earning and first-bag savings for Delta regulars.

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

Delta loyalists' everyday workhorse with solid bag savings

3.4★

Our pick

United Explorer Card

United flyers' go-to with lounge passes and partner perks

3.8★

Annual Fee

$0 first year, then $150/yr

$0 first year, then $95/yr

Welcome Bonus

~60,000–70,000 SkyMiles (varies by offer)

~60,000–80,000 miles (varies by offer)

Earning on Airline Purchases

2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases

2x miles on United purchases

Earning on Dining

2x SkyMiles at restaurants

2x miles at restaurants

Earning on Groceries

2x SkyMiles at U.S. supermarkets

1x miles on groceries

Free Checked Bag

1st bag free for cardholder + 8 companions

1st bag free for cardholder + 1 companion only

Lounge Access

No lounge access included

2 United Club one-time passes per year

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Priority Boarding

Main Cabin 1 boarding

Premier Access boarding

Award Redemption Options

Delta only + partners; no seat chart, dynamic pricing

United + Star Alliance partners; saver awards available

Hotel / Car Earn Rate

1x on hotels/cars (unless Delta partner)

2x on hotels booked via Chase Travel

Annual Fee Waiver

Waived first year automatically

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

Travel Perks★★★½☆

Earning Rates★★★★☆

Lounge Access★½☆☆☆

Annual Fee Value★★★★☆

Everyday Usability★★★★½

Sign-on Bonus Value★★★½☆

Redemption Flexibility★★½☆☆

United Explorer Card

Travel Perks★★★★☆

Earning Rates★★★½☆

Lounge Access★★★★☆

Annual Fee Value★★★★☆

Everyday Usability★★★½☆

Sign-on Bonus Value★★★★☆

Redemption Flexibility★★★½☆

Worth knowing

Delta's dynamic 'Pay with Miles' feature lets you offset any ticket price, but cents-per-mile value can be poor.
United Explorer cardholders get a 25% rebate on inflight purchases like Wi-Fi and snacks.
Delta Gold's free bag perk covers up to 9 passengers on the same reservation — a massive family-travel win.
United miles can be transferred to Star Alliance partners, opening up premium cabin redemptions globally.
Both cards waive their annual fee in year one, making them essentially risk-free to try.

Delta famously removed award charts entirely in 2022, meaning your SkyMiles are worth exactly whatever Delta feels like charging that Tuesday morning.

If you want

You fly Delta frequently with family or a group

Free bags for up to 9 companions per trip can save hundreds of dollars per flight.

→ Pick Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

If you want

You want lounge access and flexible award redemptions

Two United Club passes per year and Star Alliance partner awards make it far more versatile.

→ Pick United Explorer Card

If you want

You spend heavily on groceries and dining daily

Delta Gold earns 2x on both supermarkets and restaurants, making it a better everyday earner.

→ Pick Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex