Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
vs. United℠ Explorer Card

Shield Insurance

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card and the United℠ Explorer Card are excellent choices for frequent travelers and offer airline-specific perks. The Delta SkyMiles Blue is the better option for those who frequently fly Delta or prioritize dining rewards. It charges no annual fee and provides 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining.

However, the United Explorer Card should be considered for its extensive travel perks and higher rewards on United flights despite its annual fee.

Credit Card logo for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Credit Card logo for United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
4.8/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Who Delta SkyMiles Blue Is Best For

The Delta SkyMiles Blue is likely to be better for budget-conscious travelers who frequently fly with Delta Airlines. With no annual fee and 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, it offers a cost-effective way to earn rewards. It also provides a 20% savings on in-flight purchases. However, those who don't often fly with Delta may find limited value in its airline-specific perks.

Who United Explorer Is Best For

The United Explorer is suitable for frequent United Airlines flyers who value perks like a free first-checked bag and priority boarding. This card also offers 2X miles on United purchases, dining and hotel stays. However, if you rarely fly with United, the annual fee may not be justified.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Detailed comparisons of key differences like APRs, fees and rewards between the Delta SkyMiles Blue and United Explorer cards can help you see beyond overall scores. For instance, if dining rewards matter, Delta SkyMiles Blue is a good choice with its 2X miles, but United Explorer provides 2X miles on both dining and hotel stays, making it more versatile.

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    Regular APR: Delta SkyMiles Blue

    Delta SkyMiles Blue has a lower regular APR range of 20.49%–29.49% variable, compared to United Explorer's 21.49%–28.49% variable.

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    Annual Fee: Delta SkyMiles Blue

    Delta SkyMiles Blue has no annual fees, while United Explorer charges $95, though there's no fee to pay for the first year.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    Neither Delta SkyMiles Blue nor United Explorer offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.

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    Rewards: United Explorer

    United Explorer offers better rewards, including 2X miles on United, dining and hotel purchases. Delta SkyMiles Blue also provides 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, but United's broader categories offer more earning opportunities.

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    Welcome Offers: United Explorer

    The United Explorer card has better welcome offers, offering 50,000 bonus miles and a better return on investment, compared to the Delta SkyMiles Blue card, which provides 10,000 miles after spending $1,000 in six months.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both Delta SkyMiles Blue and United Explorer require a good to excellent credit score, typically ranging from 670 to 850. This makes them equally accessible to individuals with strong credit histories.

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    Penalties and Fees: Tie

    Both Delta SkyMiles Blue and United Explorer charge a late fee of up to $40, a penalty APR of 29.99% and no foreign transaction fees.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Delta SkyMiles Blue

    Customers are reportedly more satisfied with American Express, Delta SkyMiles Blue's issuer, than Chase, the issuer of United Explorer.

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    Card Benefits: United Explorer

    United Explorer's card benefits are better, offering free checked bags, priority boarding and United Club passes. Delta SkyMiles Blue provides 20% back on in-flight purchases and Pay with Miles, but these have lower values.

Rewards Comparison

The Delta SkyMiles Blue card provides 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, making it a strong option for those who frequently dine out or fly with Delta. On the other hand, the United Explorer card offers 2X miles on United purchases, dining and hotel stays, appealing to those who often travel with United or stay in hotels.

Both cards use airline-specific rewards programs, with Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus miles valued at approximately 1.4 cents each. This makes them comparable in terms of rewards value.

Below is a table detailing the bonus categories for each card, allowing you to see their rewards structure.

Category
Delta SkyMiles Blue
United Explorer

Delta Purchases

2X miles

2X miles

Dining

2X miles

2X miles

All Other

1X miles

1X miles

Redeeming Rewards

Delta SkyMiles Blue miles never expire, providing flexibility in redemption. They can be used for Delta flights and upgrades, but options are limited to Delta and partners. United Explorer miles are redeemable for United flights and experiences and don't expire as long as the account is active.

Card Benefits Comparison

The United Explorer Card stands out for its perks, offering two United Club passes annually. Delta SkyMiles Blue provides 20% back on in-flight purchases. Both cards offer free checked bags, but the United Explorer includes priority boarding.

Delta SkyMiles Blue Perks

Delta SkyMiles Blue offers various perks to suit different needs, from travel protection to everyday discounts.

Travel Perks

  • Up to $50 off the flight cost booked on the Delta website for every 5,000 miles redeemed with Pay with Miles

Insurance & Protections

  • Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental cars

Credits & Discounts

  • 20% savings on eligible Delta in-flight purchases
  • Free 2-day shipping and return shipping on eligible items at 100+ online stores

All Other Perks

  • Exclusive access to ticket presales and card member-only events

United Explorer Perks

The United Explorer Card offers a range of perks for frequent travelers and United Airlines loyalists.

Travel Perks

  • Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental car

Status

  • Flexibility in redeeming miles for flight discounts

Insurance & Protections

  • Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental car

Credits & Discounts

  • Modest savings on in-flight purchases

All Other Perks

  • Access to exclusive events
  • Free shipping benefits with ShopRunner

FAQ: United Explorer vs. Delta SkyMiles Blue

What are the annual fees for each card?
Which card offers better travel perks?
How do the rewards programs compare?
Are there foreign transaction fees?
What credit score is needed for each card?

Methodology

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

  • Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
  • Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
  • Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
  • Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
  • Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
  • Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
  • Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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