Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card vs United Explorer Card
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$404/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $880 welcome bonus: $1,284
United Explorer Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$276/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $660 welcome bonus: $936
The short answer
- On typical spending, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card comes out ahead: about $404 a year after its fee, against $276 for the Chase United Explorer Card.
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns more on groceries.
Side by side
| Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | United Explorer Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $150 |
| Rewards | 2X miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants, and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X miles on all other eligible purchases | 9x total miles on eligible United flights; 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases |
| Welcome bonus | $250 Statement Credit and as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities. |
| Credits counted | $92/yr | $30/yr |
| Intro APR | Not listed | Not applicable |
| Regular APR | 19.74% to 28.74% variable | 19.99% to 28.49% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Not specified | Good/Excellent |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $132 | $66 |
| dining ($400) | $106 | $106 |
| gas ($200) | $26 | $26 |
| travel ($300) | $40 | $40 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $158 | $158 |
Yearly value is rewards plus credits you'd realistically use, minus the annual fee, on $2,600/month: $500 groceries, $400 dining, $200 gas, $300 travel, $1,200 everything else. Points use conservative cash values; store-only rewards count at half. How we rank · Use your own spending
Questions people ask
Which is better, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card or the Chase United Explorer Card?
On typical spending the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is worth more: about $404 a year after its fee, against $276 for the Chase United Explorer Card. Which is better for you depends on where you spend most; see the category answers below.
Which is better for groceries?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. On $500 a month of groceries it earns about $132 a year, against $66 with the Chase United Explorer Card.
Put any two cards head to head.
Pick any cards, including ones you already hold, and compare them on your own spending.
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Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.