United Club vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express is a valuable card for many travelers.

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• You can earn miles quickly with accelerated rewards on Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Despite its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight can easily offset the card's annual cost, making it a strong value proposition (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The annual companion certificate offers significant value, allowing you to take a companion on a domestic round-trip flight each year upon renewal.
• Travel is more convenient with perks like a free first checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
• Cardholders can fast-track their way to Medallion® status and benefit from statement credits for dining and rideshares.

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Cons

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• It carries a significant annual fee and doesn't include complimentary Delta Sky Club® access.
• The value of some core benefits, like the annual companion certificate, is limited by restrictions.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs United Club

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, United Club or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, it really comes down to your airline loyalty and travel habits. Both cards offer premium perks for frequent flyers, but they cater to different types of travelers.

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• The United Club℠ Card: This card is tailored for dedicated United Airlines flyers and international travelers who prioritize airport lounge access and other premium travel perks within the Star Alliance network.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is ideal for frequent Delta travelers, especially those looking to earn Medallion status or take advantage of the annual companion certificate for domestic travel.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for flights on United and its Star Alliance partner airlines, as well as for upgrades and other travel perks.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Cardholders earn Delta SkyMiles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits with Delta and its partners. A key feature is the annual companion certificate, which offers significant value on domestic travel, though terms apply.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The United Club℠ Card includes a full United Club membership, granting access to its lounges and those of participating Star Alliance partners. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers access to Delta Sky Club® locations for a fee when flying with Delta, plus complimentary entry to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounges - The Centurion® Studio Partner when you book your Delta flight with your card. Terms apply.
• Airline Network: The United Club℠ Card is built around the United Airlines and Star Alliance network, offering a vast web of global travel options. The Delta Platinum Card focuses on Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam partners, which also provides significant worldwide coverage.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Companion Travel: A standout feature of the Delta Platinum Card is its annual Companion Certificate, valid for a round-trip Main Cabin flight within the U.S., Caribbean, or Central America after your card renewal (taxes and fees apply). The United Club Card does not offer a similar annual companion benefit. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: The platform’s “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data, all before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card suggestions based on your actual transaction history, not generic advice.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of getting approved for a card with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of signing up for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
• Extra rewards: Earn additional rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores, on top of what your credit card offers.
• New user bonus: New members can get a $20 bonus after making an eligible purchase of $30 or more.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers, particularly business travelers and those who prioritize comfort with airport lounge access. It also appeals to international travelers who can leverage the Star Alliance lounge network and individuals aiming to earn United MileagePlus Premier status through card spending. Ultimately, anyone who flies United several times a year and can maximize benefits like free checked bags and priority services will find this card a worthy travel companion, as detailed in this card's review.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is tailor-made for dedicated Delta loyalists who fly the airline several times a year and want to capitalize on airline-specific perks. It's also a strong contender for status seekers aiming for Medallion status and for couples or families who can take full advantage of the annual companion certificate. Ultimately, this card best serves moderate-to-heavy spenders who can maximize the various statement credits and bonus categories to offset the annual fee, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this deep dive into the United Club vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison leaves you unconvinced, you're in luck. Several other excellent travel cards offer unique benefits that might better align with your spending and travel habits.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the welcome offer spending requirement without overspending.
• Review the benefits - Ensure the card’s perks, like lounge access or free checked bags, align with your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know issuer rules - Review an issuer’s specific policies, as some limit new accounts or welcome offer eligibility.
• Time your application - Apply before a large purchase to meet the spending requirement more easily.
• Check for pre-approval - Use an issuer's pre-qualification tool to gauge your odds without a hard credit check.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I bring guests into the United Club or Delta Sky Club?

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Yes, both cards typically allow for guest entry, though policies and fees differ. For the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, guest access rules are subject to specific terms, so it's wise to review them before your trip; Terms Apply.

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Do these cards offer benefits beyond lounge access?

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Absolutely. Both cards come with a suite of additional travel benefits that can include free checked bags, priority boarding, and opportunities to earn miles on purchases, though specific perks and conditions vary. For American Express benefits, Terms Apply.

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Can I access partner airline lounges with either card?

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Partner lounge access is a key differentiator. The United Club℠ Infinite Card typically grants access to Star Alliance partner lounges, while the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card's access is generally focused on the Delta Sky Club network. As with all benefits, Terms Apply.

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