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

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "781", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Most Premium Delta Offer"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

This card is a top-tier choice for Delta loyalists for several key reasons.

‍

• It comes packed with premium travel perks like extensive lounge access, a valuable companion certificate, and various statement credits that enhance the travel experience.
• Although it has a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers a clear path to earning Medallion Status faster through spending.
• Cardholders can recoup the annual fee with the annual companion certificate alone when used for a domestic first-class or Delta Comfort+ round-trip flight (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{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.}

‍

Pros

‍

• Offers robust airport lounge access, including to Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, and Escape Lounges on eligible Delta flights.
• Includes a valuable annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip flight, usable in Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, or even First Class.
• Provides a fast track to Delta Medallion elite status and enhances your travel day with perks like complimentary upgrade priority, priority boarding, and a free first checked bag.

‍

Cons

‍

• Carries a high annual fee, making it best suited for loyal Delta flyers who can consistently use its perks.
• Earning potential is limited on everyday purchases, as the highest rewards rate is reserved for Delta transactions.
• The value of SkyMiles can be unpredictable, and significant benefits like the companion certificate and lounge access come with notable restrictions.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs United Quest

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, United Quest or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, often comes down to which airline you fly most and the specific perks you value. Both cards are designed for frequent flyers but cater to different loyalty ecosystems.

‍

• United Quest℠ Card: This card is built for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their travel rewards and enjoy premium benefits on their flights.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers, especially those looking to fast-track their way to Medallion status and enjoy luxury travel perks.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Quest℠ Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for award flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines. This provides a wide range of global travel options for cardholders.

‍

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: SkyMiles can be used for award flights on Delta and its SkyTeam partners. Additionally, cardmembers have the flexibility to use miles to reduce the cash price of eligible Delta-marketed flights.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• United Quest℠ Card: This card is firmly planted in the United and Star Alliance ecosystem. It does not have foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel. While it doesn't grant full United Club membership, it provides an annual United purchase credit.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card offers premium access within the Delta and SkyTeam network. A key benefit is complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® locations and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on a Delta-marketed or operated flight. Terms apply. Like the Quest card, it also has no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

Tools like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards by analyzing your actual spending habits to give you personalized recommendations.

‍

• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Earn extra rewards (Kudos Boost) on top of your regular card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Manage multiple cards, track your credit score, and monitor spending all in one platform.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

‍

The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize their rewards and travel experience. This card is ideal for travelers looking to accelerate their MileagePlus status, earn miles quickly on United purchases, and take advantage of premium benefits like free checked bags and comprehensive travel protections. Ultimately, it's a strong choice for those who fly United several times a year and can leverage its specific perks to offset the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

‍

This premium travel card is tailor-made for the loyal Delta traveler who values a premium airport experience and wants to maximize their rewards within the Delta ecosystem. It's an ideal fit for those who frequently fly with the airline for business or leisure, and can consistently use benefits like the annual companion certificate and lounge access. Furthermore, it's a powerful tool for travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status, offering a clear path to elite perks.

_{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

‍

If our United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has you feeling that neither the United Quest nor the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express is the right card for you, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score, as premium cards typically require good to excellent credit.
• Research the issuer's application rules, which can affect your eligibility.
• Identify any benefits that require manual enrollment to maximize their value.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Be aware of issuer-specific rules, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that could affect your approval.
• Align your application with your travel habits to ensure you can maximize airline-specific benefits.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.

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 offers better airport lounge access?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on a Delta-marketed or operated flight; Terms Apply. The United Quest℠ Card provides annual statement credits that can be used for United purchases, which can include United Club passes.

‍

What are the annual fees for these cards?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card generally has a higher annual fee than the United Quest℠ Card. For the most accurate and current pricing, you should review the terms and conditions provided by each card issuer before applying.

‍

Can I earn elite status faster with one of these cards?

‍

Both cards can help you earn elite status, but they do so in different ways. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a Status Boost by awarding Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you meet certain spending thresholds, while the United Quest℠ Card lets you earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) based on your card spending.

‍