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United Gateway vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The United Gateway℠ Card is a no-annual-fee option for occasional United Airlines flyers looking to earn miles on airline purchases, gas, and local transit.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is ideal for infrequent Delta flyers and dining enthusiasts who want to earn miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide without an annual fee.
United Gateway Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the United Gateway card a compelling choice.
- With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is a cost-effective way to earn United miles.
- It comes with valuable travel protections like an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation coverage, which are great perks for a no-fee card.
- The value of the introductory bonus you can earn easily outweighs the initial spending required, offering a clear path to immediate value (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- An introductory APR offer on purchases can help you finance larger buys without accruing interest for a set period.
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage add a layer of security for eligible items you buy with the card.
- You can add authorized users at no additional cost, helping you accumulate miles faster from their spending.
Cons
- It doesn't include premium airline perks such as free checked bags or priority boarding, which are common on higher-tier cards.
- The rewards program is less flexible, with limited bonus categories and no ability to transfer miles to other loyalty programs.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
- This card is a great entry point into travel rewards since it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
- You'll earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, making it easy to rack up SkyMiles on everyday spending.
- With no annual fee to offset, you start getting value from your very first mile earned (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
- It's the only co-branded Delta card with no annual fee, making it a low-commitment option for earning miles.
- You can earn bonus miles on purchases with Delta and at restaurants worldwide.
- Cardholders receive savings on eligible in-flight purchases, such as food and beverages, on Delta-operated flights.
Cons
- Cardholders don't receive premium Delta perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, or access to the Delta Sky Club.
- The rewards structure is limited, with lower earning potential on everyday purchases compared to other travel cards.
- It doesn't offer travel or purchase protections, which are often standard on competing cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs United Gateway
Categories
Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Delta SkyMiles Blue, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline. Both cards offer an entry point into their respective airline loyalty programs without an annual fee.
- United Gateway℠ Card is an entry-level option for occasional United Airlines flyers and budget-conscious travelers. It's a good fit for credit card beginners who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is designed for occasional Delta flyers and dining enthusiasts who want to earn miles. This entry-level card is ideal for those new to the Delta SkyMiles program.
Redemption
United Gateway℠ Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program for flights on United and its partner airlines. You can also use your miles for other travel rewards, including hotel stays, car rentals, and unique experiences.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Miles can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partners, as well as for seat upgrades and other travel perks. Cardholders can also use the Pay with Miles feature to get a discount on the cash price of Delta-marketed flights.
Travel Perks
- In-flight Savings: The United Gateway℠ Card offers 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights. Similarly, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card provides a 20% savings as a statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases on Delta flights. Terms apply.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards come with a foreign transaction fee, making them less suitable for purchases outside the United States.
- Lounge Access: As no-annual-fee, entry-level cards, neither the United Gateway℠ Card nor the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers complimentary airport lounge access.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.
- Test Drive Cards: The platform's "Test Drive" feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new credit card by using your real spending data, all before you apply.
- Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
- Extensive Card Comparison: You can browse and compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, including those from issuers that don't offer commissions to the platform.
- Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the United Gateway?
The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn MileagePlus miles without committing to a high annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners, offering a straightforward rewards structure and an accessible welcome bonus. Budget-conscious travelers and existing Chase customers will find value in its lack of foreign transaction fees and seamless integration with other Chase products, as detailed in this in-depth review.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is designed for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It also appeals to dining enthusiasts who can take advantage of 2x miles at restaurants and international travelers who benefit from no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, it's a good fit for budget-conscious travelers and those looking for a simple, no-cost entry into the Delta SkyMiles program.
Alternatives to Consider
If this United Gateway Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card comparison has you feeling like neither option is the perfect fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be better suited to your goals.
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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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to confirm you meet the card’s approval criteria, which often requires good to excellent credit.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend required for any welcome offer.
- Review the card’s perks to understand which travel benefits are included, as entry-level cards may not offer premium extras.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer rules - Be aware of application restrictions from issuers like Chase or American Express that could affect your approval.
- Search for the best offer - Check different sources as welcome offers can vary between application channels.
- Don’t be discouraged - If you receive a lesser offer, you can often decline it with no credit impact and try again later.
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
Do the United Gateway and Delta SkyMiles Blue cards have an annual fee?
No, neither the United Gateway Card nor the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has an annual fee. This makes them excellent entry-level options for earning airline miles without a yearly commitment.
Do these cards charge foreign transaction fees?
The United Gateway Card is a great companion for international travel as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, however, does include these fees, making it less suitable for purchases made outside the U.S.
Can I upgrade to a different United or Delta card later on?
Yes, cardholders can often request a product change to a card with more benefits within the same airline family. This allows you to upgrade your card as your travel habits and spending evolve over time.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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