Airline Co-branded Credit Card Comparison: United Explorer and Gold Delta SkyMiles (1)

United Airlines and Delta Airlines are the two major airlines in the United States. Each has a number of co-branded credit cards that are issued. The most common are the United Explorer Card and the Delta Air Lines Gold Delta Card.

The co-branded airline card offers many benefits exclusive to VIP members of the originating airline, such as priority boarding and free shipping, and the United Explorer card and the Delta Gold Delta card are no exception. However, there are many differences between the two in terms of specific benefits, especially the details of the benefits.

So what are the advantages of these two co-branded credit cards from both airlines, and what are the differences?

Comparison of benefits

1. Signup bonus

United Explorer Card:

• 60,000 United Airlines miles

Delta Gold Delta Card:

• 70,000 Delta miles

The United Explorer Card recently increased the signup bonus. 60,000 United Airlines miles are enough to redeem up to 8 one-way economy class tickets to the United States, valued at approximately $ 800.

The 70,000 miles of the Delta Gold Delta card is the best sign-up bonus for this card, worth around $ 900. A minimum of 4,500 Delta Miles can be redeemed for a one-way economy class ticket to the United States, and this offer can be redeemed for 15 one-way tickets.

2. Annual fee

United Explorer Card:

• $ 95, annual fees waived the first year

Delta Gold Delta Card:

• $ 99, annual fees waived the first year

The annual fee of $ 95 matches the positioning of the mid-tier co-branded card, and both offer a free annual fee for the first year. Users can apply without worry and have one year to decide whether to continue to maintain it.

3. Consumer discounts

United Explorer Card:

• Food consumption / hotel / United Airlines, earn 2 United Miles / $ discount

• Other consumption 1 United Airlines mileage / $ rebate

Delta Gold Delta Card:

• Delta meal / food purchase / consumption, earn 2 Delta miles / $ cashback

• 1 Delta Mile / $ discount for other drinks

The recently revised Delta Gold Card added 2x more miles for restaurants and grocery stores, making its consumer discount capacity comparable to the United Explorer Card. Plus, these two cards have no overseas processing fees, so they can be used with confidence even outside of the United States.

4. Free baggage check-in

United Explorer Card:

• When you take a United flight, the first piece of checked baggage is free

• Up to 1 accompanying person can also benefit from this treatment and each person can check the first baggage free of charge

• Tickets must be purchased with a United Explorer Card

• If you are redeeming miles for mileage tickets, you must use the United Explorer Card to pay taxes and fees to take advantage of this benefit.

Delta Gold Delta Card:

• When traveling with Delta Air Lines, the first checked baggage is free

• Up to 8 people in the same group can also benefit from this treatment, and each person can check their first baggage for free

• No need to use the Delta Gold Delta card to purchase tickets

In terms of free shipping, the Delta Gold Delta card has managed to regain a city. When taking advantage of this benefit, it is not necessary to use a Delta Gold Delta card to purchase tickets, and up to 8 people in the same group can take advantage of this benefit. Based on the one-way check-in fee of $ 30 for the first bag, a round trip for 9 people can save up to $ 540.

5. Priority boarding

United Explorer Card:

• Take advantage of Group 2 boarding when traveling on United Airlines

• Companions can also benefit from this treatment, and there is no limit to the number of people

Delta Gold Delta Card:

• Enjoy boarding in the main cabin 1 when taking a Delta flight

• Up to 1 companion can also benefit from this treatment

Priority boarding is a tricky advantage. Although the name sounds like the meaning of the first boarding, if there is no class blessing or airline membership, it should still be ranked behind first class / business class passengers and members premium from the airline.