United Gateway vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express is a top-tier travel card.

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• Cardholders receive a host of premium travel benefits, such as extensive lounge access, priority boarding, and a complimentary checked bag for you and your companions.
• Despite its significant annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the value from the annual companion certificate alone can often justify the cost (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.}

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Pros

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• Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, including complimentary entry to the Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your card.
• Each year upon renewal, you’ll receive a Companion Certificate for a domestic round-trip flight in First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or the Main Cabin.
• Fast-track your way to Medallion® Status with status-boosting opportunities and enjoy travel perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding.

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Cons

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• The card carries a substantial annual fee that may only be worthwhile for the most frequent Delta flyers.
• Outside of Delta purchases, the rewards earning rate is not as competitive as other premium travel cards.
• The card’s benefits are heavily focused on Delta, making it less advantageous for travelers who aren’t loyal to a single airline.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs United Gateway

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Categories

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When deciding which is better United Gateway or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, it's important to understand that these cards cater to very different types of travelers. One is an entry-level card for occasional flyers, while the other is a premium card packed with perks for loyalists.

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• United Gateway℠ Card: This card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers and credit card beginners. It provides a way to earn MileagePlus miles on everyday spending without the commitment of an annual fee.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This premium card is designed for frequent Delta flyers who value luxury travel perks. It's ideal for those seeking airport lounge access and a faster path to elite status with the airline.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles earned with this card are redeemed through United's MileagePlus program. These can be used for award flights on United and its airline partners, as well as for other travel-related purchases.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: As a premium card, its SkyMiles can be redeemed for Delta flights and upgrades, including access to premium cabins. Miles can also be used for other luxury travel experiences through Delta's partners.

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Travel Perks

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• United Gateway℠ Card: As a no-annual-fee card, its travel ecosystem is basic. It includes access to the United Airlines travel portal for booking but does not offer premium perks like lounge access. Cardholders should also be aware that this card charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card provides a premium travel experience. It features complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on a Delta-marketed or operated flight (Terms Apply). It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards, allowing you to make confident decisions based on your actual spending habits.

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• Test Drive a Credit Card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card. The Test Drive feature uses your real transaction history to provide a personalized rewards projection, not just a hypothetical guess.
• Detailed Approval Odds: Receive a comprehensive analysis of your chances of getting approved for a card 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 and Kickstart+ Rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your card's points when shopping at participating stores and unlock a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Comprehensive Financial Dashboard: Track your spending across multiple cards, monitor your credit score, and stay on top of all your credit card perks in one place.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn MileagePlus miles without committing to an annual fee. It's also well-suited for credit card beginners or budget-conscious travelers, thanks to its straightforward rewards and lack of foreign transaction fees. With an introductory bonus of 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months, this card provides a great entry point into the world of travel rewards, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card is primarily built for loyal Delta flyers who travel several times a year, whether for business or leisure. It's also an excellent choice for travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status and those who value premium airport experiences like Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access. Furthermore, couples or friends who travel together can extract significant value by using the annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class or comfort-plus trip, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the United Gateway vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison didn't point you to a clear winner, you're not out of options. Let's take a look at a few alternatives to the United Gateway℠ Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card that might be a better fit.

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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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• Confirm your credit score to see if you meet the card’s typical requirements.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer threshold without overspending.
• Review issuer-specific rules, as banks like Chase and American Express have unique application restrictions.

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Application Strategy

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• Try multiple methods if you don't immediately find the best offer, as promotions can appear through different channels.
• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer naturally.
• Consider the card’s ideal applicant; a premium card like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card requires excellent credit, while an entry-level option like the United Gateway℠ Card is more accessible for beginners.

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 occasional travelers?

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For travelers who fly only a few times a year, the United Gateway Card is often the more practical choice. Its lack of an annual fee means you can enjoy some travel perks without the pressure of having to offset a yearly cost.

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Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card worth its annual fee?

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The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card's annual fee can be worthwhile for frequent Delta flyers who take full advantage of its premium benefits. Perks like Delta Sky Club access and the annual companion certificate can easily offset the cost for the right traveler; Terms apply.

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How do I decide which airline alliance is right for me?

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Your choice between Star Alliance (United) and SkyTeam (Delta) should depend on which airline has a stronger hub presence at your home airport. Consider which alliance offers more convenient routes and schedules for your typical travel patterns.

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