Two $150 AF (post-year-1) airline co-brands at the same price point but for very different ecosystems. The right pick depends on which airline already dominates your route map — neither card creates loyalty value; it captures it.
Scored against our published methodology · Updated July 17, 2026
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American Express
Travelers who fly Delta 2-4 times a year, want a free checked bag (~$70 saved per round trip per bag), and don't want to commit to a Platinum or Reserve tier annual fee.
Find your match
Chase
Travelers loyal to United who fly 2-4 round trips a year, want a free checked bag, and value priority boarding + 2× United-spend earning.
Find your matchBest for — by the numbers
Per-spec leads are computed from each issuer's published facts and our scored methodology — there is no single overall winner. Reviewed July 17, 2026. ClearValue Cards earns compensation through our CardRatings partnership, paid when a reader clicks out to CardRatings from our match tool, and through separately labeled, paid partner placements (marked "Advertiser Disclosure · Sponsored") that sit outside our card rankings. Neither compensation source influences editorial scoring or ordering.
| Spec | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $150 |
| 0% intro APR period | None | None |
| Ongoing APR (from) | 19.49% | 19.74% |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Rewards score | 14/20 | 14/20 |
| Fee-structure score | 13/20 | 14/20 |
| ClearValue score | 76/100 | 77/100 |
| Late fee | Up to $40 | Up to $40 |
A check marks the card that leads that spec on published figures. Rows with no marker are either tied or judgment calls (fee wording, late-fee terms) where a single "winner" would misrepresent the data.
Tap the spec you care about — we'll show which card leads on it.
For Ongoing APR (from), the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express leads (19.49%).
Travelers who fly Delta 2-4 round trips a year, especially from Delta-hub airports (ATL, MSP, DTW, SLC)
Free checked bag on Delta-operated flights pays back the AF in 2 round trips with checked bags. SkyMiles redemption is dynamic but the bag math is direct.
See your matchesTravelers loyal to United, especially Star Alliance partner redemptions (ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore)
Free first checked bag + Star Alliance partner award charts make the card stronger for international redemptions than Delta's dynamic-only system.
See your matchesTravelers without strong loyalty to one specific airline. A Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture X covers ANY airline at lower friction and better award-chart math.
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Take the 60-second quizAnnual fee
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: $0 first year, then $150
United Explorer Card: $0 first year, then $150
Free checked bag
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: Delta-operated flights
United Explorer Card: United-operated flights
Earning rate
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: 2x at U.S. supermarkets, 2x at restaurants, 2x on Delta
United Explorer Card: 2x on United, 2x on dining + hotel stays
Award chart
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: Dynamic — sweet spots erode over time
United Explorer Card: Saver award chart with Star Alliance partners
Priority boarding
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: Group 1 (Delta-operated)
United Explorer Card: Priority boarding (United-operated)
Neither is universally better — it depends on how you spend. On our published 100-point methodology the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express scores 76/100 (Worth considering) and the United Explorer Card scores 77/100 (Worth considering). Travelers who fly Delta 2-4 round trips a year, especially from Delta-hub airports (ATL, MSP, DTW, SLC) should lean Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express; travelers loyal to United, especially Star Alliance partner redemptions (ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore) should lean United Explorer Card. Take the 60-second quiz to see which fits your profile.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express carries $150, sourced from the issuer's published Schumer Box as of July 17, 2026. The United Explorer Card carries $150, as of July 16, 2026. Fees change — confirm the current number at the issuer before you decide.
Travelers who fly Delta 2-4 round trips a year, especially from Delta-hub airports (ATL, MSP, DTW, SLC) tend to do better with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express; travelers loyal to United, especially Star Alliance partner redemptions (ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore) with the United Explorer Card. If neither describes you cleanly, take the 60-second quiz for a match.
We score every card across five dimensions — effective rewards, fee structure, audience fit, transparency, and the weakness named — 0–20 each for a 100-point total. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express earned 76/100 and the United Explorer Card earned 77/100. Scoring follows our published methodology and is never influenced by compensation.
Independent editorial comparison. ClearValue Cards is not a card issuer, a bank, or a lender. ClearValue Cards earns compensation through our CardRatings partnership, paid when a reader clicks out to CardRatings from our match tool, and through separately labeled, paid partner placements (marked "Advertiser Disclosure · Sponsored") that sit outside our card rankings. Neither compensation source influences editorial scoring or ordering. Card facts are sourced from each issuer's published Schumer Box and terms — confirm current numbers at the issuer. See disclosure.
