United℠ Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles® Platinum
Side-by-side comparison
| United℠ Explorer | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $350 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 60,000 bonus miles | |
| Dining | 2x | 2x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $322 | $382 |
| Points type | Locked to United MileagePlus | Locked to Delta SkyMiles |
| Network | Visa | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the United℠ Explorer earns about $322 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum about $382, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The United℠ Explorer charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum charges $350, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the United℠ Explorer delivers more total value, about $140 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it skips the annual fee the other charges. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum if your spending leans toward groceries.