United Gateway 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 what makes the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card a compelling option.

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• You can earn 2X miles on several everyday categories, including purchases at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. supermarkets, and directly with Delta.
• Enjoy valuable travel perks like your first checked bag free on Delta flights and a 15% discount on award travel with the TakeOff 15 benefit.
• The card features no foreign transaction fees and a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, after which an annual fee applies (See Rates & Fees).

_{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.}

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Pros

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• Enjoy valuable travel benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• Earn bonus miles in popular spending categories and receive a discount when redeeming miles for award flights booked with Delta.
• Save on travel with no foreign transaction fees and an introductory annual fee offer.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like complimentary lounge access or a companion certificate, which are available on other travel cards.
• The rewards structure is less competitive on non-Delta spending, and some benefits have significant restrictions or spending requirements.
• May not be worth the annual fee for infrequent Delta flyers or travelers who don't typically check bags.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs United Gateway

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Categories

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When choosing an airline credit card, many travelers wonder which is better: United Gateway or Delta SkyMiles Gold. The right choice ultimately depends on your travel habits and what you value in a card.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is best for United loyalists and credit card beginners who want to earn miles on a major airline without paying an annual fee.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who are loyal to Delta and will take advantage of perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card can be redeemed for flights on United and its partner airlines, as well as for other travel-related purchases and experiences.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: With this card, you can use your miles for flights with Delta and its extensive network of airline partners, or for other travel perks like seat upgrades and vacation packages.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card includes a foreign transaction fee, which is a consideration for international travel. It does not offer airport lounge access. However, cardholders receive a statement credit back on in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Designed for frequent Delta flyers, this card has no foreign transaction fees. Its travel perks include a first checked bag free and Priority Boarding on Delta flights. While it doesn't provide complimentary lounge access, cardholders can pay a fee to enter the Delta Sky Club. It also offers a statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, tools like Kudos offer a way to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, Kudos can show you exactly how much a new card would earn based on your actual transaction history, providing a personalized projection of your annual rewards and net value without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores through Kudos.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United flyers and beginners in the travel rewards world who want a straightforward way to earn miles without an annual fee. It also appeals to budget-conscious travelers, as it waives foreign transaction fees, making it a practical companion for international trips. For those already in the Chase ecosystem or anyone seeking an entry point to the MileagePlus program without the commitment of a premium card, this card is a solid fit.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an ideal choice for loyal Delta customers who fly a few times annually and can maximize benefits like the free first checked bag. As noted in a comprehensive review, a family of four can save enough on baggage fees in a single trip to more than offset the card's annual cost. It's also well-suited for those who dine out often and want to earn 2X miles on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, all while enjoying a 15% discount on award travel with the TakeOff 15 benefit.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this United Gateway vs. Delta SkyMiles Gold comparison has you thinking that neither card is the right choice for your wallet, don't worry. Let's explore a few other top travel cards that might be a better match for your travel style.

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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 to ensure it aligns with the card’s typical approval requirements.
• Plan your spending to meet the introductory offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the card’s benefits to confirm they match your travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules, as some have restrictions on new accounts or welcome offer eligibility.
• Time your application to align with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Call the reconsideration line if your initial application is not automatically approved.

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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Which card is better for beginners?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is often a better choice for beginners because it has no annual fee, making it a low-risk way to earn airline miles. While the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has an annual fee, its benefits can provide significant value if you fly with Delta often.

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Can I have both the United Gateway and Delta SkyMiles Gold cards?

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Yes, you can hold both the United Gateway℠ Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card at the same time since they are from different issuers. This can be a smart strategy for travelers who aren't loyal to a single airline and want to earn rewards with both United and Delta.

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What happens to my miles if I close my card?

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Your miles are held in your airline loyalty account (United MileagePlus or Delta SkyMiles), not on the credit card itself. If you close your card, the miles you've earned will remain safe in your airline account.

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