United Club vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

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• You'll earn 2X miles on several useful spending categories, including at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
• The card offers valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag and has no foreign transaction fees, though an annual fee applies after the first year (See Rates & Fees).
• For frequent Delta flyers, the free checked bag benefit can easily offset the card's annual fee in just a few trips (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• Earn bonus miles on popular spending categories, including at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• Offers a discount on award flights and an annual Delta flight credit based on your spending.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like complimentary lounge access, a companion certificate, or credits for expedited security screening.
• The rewards earning rate is less competitive on non-Delta purchases compared to other travel cards.
• The annual fee may be difficult to justify for travelers who don't fly with Delta frequently.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs United Club

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Club or Delta SkyMiles Gold, comes down to your airline loyalty and travel style. Each card caters to a different type of flyer, offering distinct benefits tailored to their respective airline's ecosystem.

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• The United Club℠ Card is best for United loyalists and frequent flyers who value premium travel benefits. It's particularly well-suited for those who want United Club lounge access, priority airport services, and free checked bags.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is designed for frequent Delta flyers who want quality-of-life improvements without a premium annual fee. This card is ideal for travelers looking for benefits like a free first checked bag and priority boarding.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. Points can also be used for other travel-related expenses like car rentals and hotel stays booked through the United travel portal.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Rewards are redeemed through the Delta SkyMiles program, allowing you to use miles for flights with Delta and its airline partners. You can also use your miles for seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The primary distinction is lounge access. The United Club℠ Card includes a full United Club membership, granting entry to its lounges and participating partner lounges. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card does not include complimentary lounge access as a benefit.
• Booking Ecosystem: Each card operates within its airline's ecosystem. The United Club℠ Card uses the MileagePlus program for booking flights on United and its Star Alliance partners. Conversely, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card uses the Delta SkyMiles program for flights with Delta and its SkyTeam partners.
• International Travel: Both cards are designed for global travelers and do not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. Terms apply to American Express benefits.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is primarily designed for frequent United flyers who can maximize its benefits to offset the high annual fee. This includes business travelers who value priority services and comfort seekers who appreciate access to United Club and Star Alliance lounges worldwide. Additionally, international travelers and those chasing MileagePlus Premier status will find significant value in the card's perks, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a strong choice for Delta loyalists who fly several times a year, as the free checked bag benefit alone can easily offset the annual fee. It also appeals to frequent diners who can earn 2X miles at restaurants and casual travelers who appreciate perks like priority boarding and a 15% discount on award flights. Essentially, if you're looking for tangible value and an improved travel experience on Delta without committing to a premium card, this comprehensive review shows it's a worthy contender.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Club vs Delta SkyMiles Gold comparison has you thinking that neither card is the right choice, you're in luck. The travel rewards landscape is full of other excellent options that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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_{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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer through your regular purchases.
• Research the rewards: Understand the card’s benefits and how you plan to use them before you commit.

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Application Strategy

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• Use a rewards platform: Apply through a service that helps you find the best available public offer.
• Be patient for the best offer: You can often decline an initial offer without a hard inquiry and try again later.
• Check issuer-specific rules: Policies from issuers like American Express or Chase can impact your eligibility for a welcome offer.

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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Do both the United Club card and the Delta SkyMiles Gold card offer lounge access?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card includes a full United Club membership, providing access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, however, does not include complimentary Delta Sky Club access.

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What are the primary travel benefits of each card?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card's main benefit is lounge access, along with perks like free checked bags and Premier Access services on United. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card focuses on benefits like a first checked bag free on Delta flights and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.

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Are these cards good for earning miles on everyday spending?

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Both cards earn miles on purchases, but their bonus categories differ, focusing on their respective airline, travel, and dining purchases. You should review the specific earning rates for each to see which aligns better with your spending habits.

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Which card has a higher annual fee?

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The United Club℠ Infinite Card has a significantly higher annual fee, which covers the cost of the United Club membership. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a more modest annual fee that reflects its different set of benefits.

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