Delta SkyMiles Gold Card vs United Explorer Card
Which card is better in 2026? We break down fees, rewards, perks, and point values so you can decide.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
American Express
Delta flyers who check bags and want priority boarding
United Explorer Card
Chase
United flyers who want two free bags and club passes
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles Gold Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 40,000 SkyMiles | 60,000 United Miles |
| Bonus Value | $480 | $780 |
| Dining | 2x | 2x |
| Groceries | 2x | 1x |
| Travel | 2x (Delta) | 2x (United + hotels) |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything Else | 1x | 1x |
| Point Value | 1.2 cpp | 1.3 cpp |
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Key Perks
- First checked bag free on Delta
- Priority boarding on Delta
- $200 Delta flight credit (after spending $10K)
- No foreign transaction fees
United Explorer Card Key Perks Best
- First + second checked bag free on United
- Priority boarding on United
- 2 United Club passes/year
- 25% back on United inflight purchases
The Verdict
Winner: United Explorer Card. The United Explorer wins on value: lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), better welcome bonus (60K vs 40K), and two free checked bags (vs Delta's one). Delta Gold only wins if you're hub-locked to a Delta city (ATL, MSP, DTW) and the $200 flight credit fits your spend pattern.
Want a personalized comparison?
Enter your monthly spending and see which card earns you more — tailored to your habits.
Compare Your Own CardsFrequently Asked Questions
Related Comparisons
The Amex Gold dominates for anyone spending $500+/month on dining and groceries combined. The 4x earn rate in both categories plus $240 in annual credits (dining + Uber) make the $250 fee easy to justify. The CSP wins only if you value Chase transfer partners or want a lower annual fee.
Read comparisonThe Reserve wins for travelers spending $5K+ on travel annually — the $300 credit effectively drops the fee to $250, and 1.5 cpp redemption value beats the Preferred's 1.25 cpp. But if you travel less than twice a year, the Preferred is the smarter pick.
Read comparisonThe Hilton Surpass wins on perks — Gold status (vs Marriott's Silver), higher earn rates on everyday spending, and Priority Pass visits are huge at $150. Marriott Boundless wins if you prefer Marriott's hotel portfolio or want the simpler annual free night. Both are excellent mid-tier hotel cards.
Read comparisonCan't decide? Get a personalized recommendation
Our Card Audit analyzes your spending habits and recommends the best card for you.
Start Your Card AuditGet notified when offers change for these cards
We'll alert you when welcome bonuses increase or new perks are added.