Delta SkyMiles Gold vs United Explorer Card
Side-by-side comparison of rewards, fees, and benefits
Delta SkyMiles Gold
Amex
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United Explorer Card
Chase
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Delta SkyMiles Gold comes out ahead by $87/yr at a typical $24,000/yr spending profile.
See the assumptions and math
Everyday profile: $24,000/yr across groceries, gas, dining, online shopping, streaming, and everything else. Signup bonuses excluded (first-year only). Statement credits counted at typical usage rates, not face value.
| Card | Rewards | Credits | Fee | Net/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Gold | $418 | $0 | -$150 | $268 |
| United Explorer Card | $331 | $0 | -$150 | $181 |
Booking through the card issuer's travel site. Point values adjust automatically.
Simple Advanced view shows effective return rates (multiplier × point value) instead of just multipliers. | Delta SkyMiles GoldAmex | United Explorer CardChase |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | $150 | $150 |
Sign-Up Bonus | 70,000 pts | 60,000 pts |
Point Value How much each point is worth in cents. This varies based on how you redeem (cash back, travel portal, or transfer partners). | 1.0¢(Travel Portal) | 1.0¢(Travel Portal) |
Dining | 2x | 2x |
Grocery | 2x | 1x |
Flights | 2x | 2x |
Hotels | 1x | 2x |
Gas | 1x | 1x |
Online Shopping | 1x | 1x |
Everything Else | 1x | 1x |
Fast Food Quick-service restaurants (MCC 5814). Most "dining" bonuses include fast food. | 2x | 2x |
Streaming Subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, etc. | 1x | 1x |
Internet Home internet and cable bills. | 1x | 1x |
Cell Phone Cell phone bills (may incur processing fees). | 1x | 1x |
Home Utilities Electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash. | 1x | 1x |
Travel/Airline Credit | - | - |
Est. Perks Value | - | - |
Lounge Access | No | No |
* Est. Perks Value: Requires enrollment; varies by usage. Excludes Travel/Airline Credit (shown separately).
Amex Platinum ($2,884): $600 FHR/THC hotel credit, $400 Resy dining, $300 lululemon, $300 digital entertainment, $320 Uber ($200 cash + $120 Uber One), $209 CLEAR+, $200 Oura, $155 Walmart+, $100 Saks, $300 Equinox.
CSR ($828): $420 DoorDash (DashPass + credits), $288 Apple TV+ and Apple Music, $120 Lyft credits.
Quick Verdict
United Explorer Card earns more on travel (2x hotels vs 1x). Delta SkyMiles Gold excels at everyday spending like grocery. Your best choice depends on where you spend the most.
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