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

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons we're fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

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• It offers premium lounge access, including complimentary entry to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class or comfort+ ticket can offset the card's annual fee (See Rates & Fees) in a single trip (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Provides a fast track to earning Delta Medallion elite status and offers complimentary upgrade priority.
• Includes annual statement credits for everyday expenses like rideshare and dining, plus a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
• Enhances your travel day with a free first checked bag for you and your companions, priority boarding, and savings on award flights.

_{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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Cons

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• The high annual fee can be difficult to justify for travelers who do not fly Delta frequently enough to maximize the card's benefits.
• Reward earnings are limited on non-Delta purchases, and the value of SkyMiles can be unpredictable without a published award chart.
• Most of the card’s most valuable perks are Delta-centric, offering less value to travelers who are not loyal to the airline.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline.

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• United℠ Explorer Card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who can take full advantage of airline-specific perks. It's a strong choice for travelers who value benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and robust travel protections.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is best suited for loyal Delta flyers who prioritize premium travel perks. This card is ideal for those seeking airport lounge access and a fast track to elite airline status.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Rewards are earned as MileagePlus miles, which are most valuable when redeemed for flights on United Airlines or its extensive network of Star Alliance partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card earns SkyMiles, which can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partners, used for seat upgrades, or applied to other travel experiences like vacation packages.

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card offers a solid set of perks for the regular United flyer. It has no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders receive two one-time passes to the United Club each year, a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Aimed at the premium traveler, this card’s benefits are more robust. It features complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion Lounge when flying with Delta. The card also has no foreign transaction fees. Other key benefits include a free first checked bag, an annual Companion Certificate upon renewal, and a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Terms apply to American Express benefits.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using a data-driven card explorer tool to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much a new card could earn you based on your actual transaction history, with no application or hard credit pull required.
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Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is primarily designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who can maximize benefits like a free first checked bag and priority boarding. It also appeals to travelers seeking to expedite their airport experience with a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and those who travel internationally, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is a strong choice for individuals with good-to-excellent credit who fly United several times a year, as the perks can easily outweigh the annual fee after the first year.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is tailor-made for the die-hard Delta loyalist who flies the airline several times a year, whether for business or pleasure. This traveler is typically chasing or looking to maintain Medallion status and highly values premium airport experiences like access to the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge. Additionally, it's a strong choice for those who can consistently leverage the annual companion certificate for significant savings on domestic flights, as detailed in our full review.

_{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.}

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. Plenty of other travel rewards cards might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 profile for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without forcing purchases.
• Review the benefits ecosystem: Understand how you will use the card’s perks, whether they are airline-specific benefits or flexible transfer partners.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies, like limits on new accounts or welcome offer eligibility.
• Time it right: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements naturally.
• Hunt for the best offer: Search for elevated welcome offers, as they can vary across different platforms and channels.

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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Which card offers better airport lounge access?

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The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card provides complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion Lounges when you fly with Delta. In contrast, the United Explorer Card offers two one-time United Club passes each year upon account anniversary.

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What are the annual fees for the United Explorer and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards?

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The United Explorer Card typically has a moderate annual fee that is often waived for the first year. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card carries a significantly higher annual fee, which reflects its range of premium travel benefits.

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Which card provides a better path to airline elite status?

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The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card offers a more direct route to elite status by providing an annual head start of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). While spending on the United Explorer Card can earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), it doesn't offer a comparable status boost.

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