Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
United Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The United℠ Explorer Card is ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers who value airline-specific perks and travel protections.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best for frequent Delta travelers looking to earn miles quickly and benefit from premium perks like an annual companion certificate.
- 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.
United Explorer Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2406", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Priority Boarding"} ]]
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "789", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Convenient Travels"} ]]
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs United Explorer
Categories
Deciding which is better, the United Explorer or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, depends entirely on your travel habits and which airline you fly most often. Each card is tailored to a specific type of traveler, offering unique benefits for brand loyalists.
- United℠ Explorer Card: This card is ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers and travelers looking for valuable perks like airport security credits and no foreign transaction fees. It's designed for those who can take advantage of benefits tied directly to flying with United.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is best for loyal Delta flyers who want to earn status and utilize the annual companion certificate. It's also a strong choice for couples or families who travel together and can maximize the card’s spending rewards.
Redemption
United℠ Explorer Card: With this card, you redeem MileagePlus miles primarily for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also use miles for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays, car rentals, and unique experiences.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Your SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines, offering flexibility for your travel plans. Additionally, miles can be used for seat upgrades, vacation packages, and other premium rewards.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're looking to cut through the noise, a tool like Kudos can help by letting you compare nearly 3,000 cards to find the perfect match for your spending habits.
- Test Drive Cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data—no application or credit pull required.
- Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report before you apply.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
- Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s regular earnings when shopping with Kudos at your favorite stores.
- Personalized Matching: Receive card recommendations based on your unique spending history to maximize your rewards.
- Exclusive Offers: Gain access to special sign-up bonuses and join a community of over 400,000 members.
Who Should Choose the United Explorer?
The United℠ Explorer Card is primarily designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who can maximize its airline-specific perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. It's also a strong choice for international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and for those seeking expedited airport security through statement credits for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®. Ultimately, the card appeals to budget-conscious individuals with good to excellent credit who value practical travel benefits that can easily outweigh the annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is an excellent choice for dedicated Delta loyalists who fly with the airline several times a year. It also caters to status seekers aiming for Medallion status and couples or families who can maximize the value of the annual companion certificate. Ultimately, moderate to heavy spenders who can leverage the card's bonus categories and statement credits will find it most rewarding, as detailed in our complete card review.
Alternatives to Consider
If the United Explorer vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card showdown didn't leave you with a clear winner, other travel cards might be a better fit. Let's explore a few alternatives that offer different perks or more flexible rewards.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score, as most premium cards require good to excellent credit.
- Plan how you will meet the welcome offer spending requirement through normal purchases.
- Research the card’s ecosystem to ensure it aligns with your travel habits, such as loyalty to a specific airline like United or Delta.
Application Strategy
- Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies, such as welcome offer eligibility for American Express cards or application velocity rules for Chase cards.
- Time your application: Apply just before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer naturally.
- Don’t force it: Avoid manufactured spending, and remember that some application processes allow you to decline an offer without impacting your credit score.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better if I'm not loyal to either airline?
If you don't have a strong preference for either United or Delta, consider which airline has a stronger presence at your home airport. A card is most valuable when you can regularly fly with the airline and its partners.
Do both cards offer lounge access?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers access to the Delta Sky Club (terms apply), while the United℠ Explorer Card provides two one-time passes to the United Club each year. Your choice may depend on how frequently you anticipate using airport lounges.
What if I want a card with a lower annual fee?
If a lower annual fee is your priority, the United℠ Explorer Card is generally the more budget-friendly option of the two. However, be sure to weigh the lower cost against the potentially more valuable benefits offered by the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
