United Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid choice.

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• It’s the only co-branded Delta card with a $0 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), making it a risk-free option for earning SkyMiles.
• You can earn 2x miles on both Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, with no foreign transaction fees on any purchase.
• Because the card has no annual fee, every reward you earn is pure value from your very first swipe, unlike cards that require hundreds of dollars in spending to break even (publisher-formulated estimate).

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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.}

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Pros

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• A great entry-level card for earning Delta SkyMiles without the commitment of an annual fee.
• Earns bonus miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants around the globe.
• Save on in-flight purchases on Delta flights and avoid foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, which are common on other airline cards.
• The rewards program is less flexible than other travel cards, as miles can’t be transferred to other airline or hotel partners.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs United Explorer

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Categories

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When deciding which is better United Explorer or Delta SkyMiles Blue, it's important to consider your travel habits and what you value in a credit card.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is designed for frequent United flyers who can take full advantage of airline-specific perks and robust travel protections.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is a good fit for occasional Delta flyers and dining enthusiasts who want to earn miles without the commitment of an annual fee.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also use miles for seat upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel-related experiences.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: SkyMiles can be used for flights on Delta and its partner airlines, offering flexibility in your travel plans. The Pay with Miles feature also allows you to apply miles directly toward the cost of your ticket, reducing the cash price.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: For international jet-setters, the United℠ Explorer Card is the clear winner, as it charges no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does have a fee for purchases made abroad.
• Lounge Access: The United℠ Explorer Card provides a taste of the VIP life with two one-time passes to the United Club℠ each year. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not offer lounge access.
• Baggage & Boarding: You can save on baggage fees and board earlier with the United℠ Explorer Card, which offers a free first checked bag for you and a companion, along with priority boarding privileges. These perks are not available with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
• In-Flight Savings: Both cards help you save in the air. The United℠ Explorer Card gives you a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights. Similarly, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers a statement credit on eligible in-flight Delta purchases.
• Expedited Security Screening: The United℠ Explorer Card helps you get through airport security faster by offering a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. This benefit is not included with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

_{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.}

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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

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• Use the Test Drive feature to see potential earnings from a new card based on your actual spending history, before you even apply.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card rewards when you shop at participating stores with Kudos Boost.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Receive comprehensive approval odds based on your credit report to help you apply with more confidence.
• Let Kudos automatically select the best card at checkout to ensure you’re always maximizing your rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is a strong contender for frequent United Airlines flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and a companion can easily offset the annual fee with just one round-trip flight. It also appeals to travelers who value expedited security screening through Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credits and those who travel internationally, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit who fly United several times a year and can take full advantage of its airline-specific benefits.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is tailor-made for the occasional Delta flyer who wants to earn miles without being weighed down by an annual fee (See Rates & Fees). It's also a strong contender for budget-conscious international travelers and foodies, offering 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and no foreign transaction fees (Terms apply). As detailed in our full review, this card shines as an entry-level gateway into the SkyMiles ecosystem, perfect for newcomers or loyalists who don't require premium perks.

Alternatives to Consider

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So neither card in our United Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison feels like the right fit? That’s perfectly fine, as the world of travel rewards cards is full of excellent alternatives.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Align benefits with your travel style: Decide if you prefer premium perks like a free checked bag or a card with no annual fee.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer rules: Understand any restrictions on welcome offers before you apply.
• Choose your airline wisely: Select a co-branded card that matches the airline you fly most often.
• Look for elevated offers: Wait for a higher-than-usual welcome offer to maximize your value.

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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What should I consider when choosing an airline credit card?

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You should consider which airline you fly most frequently, the card's annual fee, and the value of its benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. Aligning the card with your travel habits is key to maximizing its value.

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Are airline credit card miles the same as other travel points?

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No, airline-specific miles can typically only be redeemed with that airline and its partners, which can be restrictive. General travel points from other rewards cards often provide more flexibility by allowing transfers to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs.

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What happens to my miles if I close my airline credit card?

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Your miles are stored in your airline loyalty account, not with the credit card issuer, so they are safe even if you close the card. However, be aware of the airline's mileage expiration policy, as some require account activity to keep miles from expiring.

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