Monthly spending. We rank on rewards minus the full annual fee, so statement credits and perks are listed separately and never counted for you.
Choosing between the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card ($150/yr) and the United℠ Explorer Card ($150/yr) comes down to where you spend most. Both cost $150 a year, so it comes down to where you spend: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex earns more on groceries, United Explorer Card on dining, gas, flights, hotels, other travel and other purchases. Enter your monthly spending above to see which comes out ahead for you.
Strongest in dining at 2%. 2x miles on Delta, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply NowStrongest in hotels at 2%. 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply Now| Feature | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 | $150 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 80,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 6 months | 70,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 1% |
| Hotels Rewards | 1% | 2% |
| Dining Rewards | 2% | 2% |
| Groceries Rewards | 2% | 1% |
| Rates with conditions not counted in the rows above |
2% on Delta Earns 2% only on Delta purchases. Flights on other airlines, hotels and car rentals earn 1%. |
2% on United Earns 2% only on United purchases. Flights on other airlines earn 1%. |
| Key Benefits | 2x miles on Delta, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets. Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta. | 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. |
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card pulls ahead for groceries spending.
United Explorer Card wins on travel.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card carries $540/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings), while United Explorer Card carries $600/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings). Those only count if you’d actually use them. Worth checking against your own habits before treating them as a discount on the fee.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.