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Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express vs United Explorer Card
The short answer
- Both cards have the same annual fee ($150).
- At our point valuations the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express earns more on groceries.
- The United Explorer Card earns more on dining, travel, gas, everything else.
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express has the bigger welcome offer: about $960 in value vs $945 for the United Explorer Card.
Side by side
| Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express | United Explorer Card |
|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | 80,000 after $2,000 in 6 months (≈ $960) | 70,000 after $3,000 in 3 months (≈ $945) |
| Earns on dining | 2x (≈ 2.4%) | 2x (≈ 2.7%) |
| Earns on groceries | 2x (≈ 2.4%) | 1x (≈ 1.4%) |
| Earns on travel | 2x (≈ 2.4%) | 3x (≈ 4.1%) |
| Earns on gas | 1x (≈ 1.2%) | 1x (≈ 1.4%) |
| Earns on everything else | 1x (≈ 1.2%) | 1x (≈ 1.4%) |
| Rewards | Delta SkyMiles | United MileagePlus |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
| KritScore | 49 | — |
| Highlights | Free 1st bag + 2nd bag free domestic · 15% off Delta award flights · Zone 5 priority boarding · $200 Delta flight credit after $10k/yr · 20% back on in-flight purchases | Free first checked bag (you + 1) · Group 2 priority boarding · 2 United Club passes per year · 10%+ fewer miles on award flights · $100 TravelBank after $10k spend/yr |
“≈ %” is the earn rate times our point valuation (cash-back cards at one cent). Bonus categories can be limited or capped, and offers change — check each issuer’s current terms.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express better than the United Explorer Card?
Both cards have the same annual fee ($150). At our point valuations the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express earns more on groceries. The United Explorer Card earns more on dining, travel, gas, everything else. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express has the bigger welcome offer: about $960 in value vs $945 for the United Explorer Card.
What is the annual fee on the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express and the United Explorer Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: $150 a year. The United Explorer Card: $150 a year.
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