Same Price, Different Skies
Planning more flights this year and torn between two airline cards? The United Explorer Card vs Delta Gold matchup is closer than you might expect, since both now cost the same after year one.
Both cards waive the annual fee for the first year, then charge $150. Both hand you a free checked bag and priority perks. So the real question is not price, it is which airline you actually fly.
This guide compares the perks, the credits, and the fine print so you can pick with confidence. And if you are still building the credit needed to qualify, we will point you to cards designed for exactly that.
United Explorer Card vs Delta Gold: Fees and Free Bags
Let us start with the basics, because this is where the two cards look almost like twins.
Annual fee: Both the United Explorer Card and the Delta SkyMiles Gold offer a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 after that.
Free checked bag: Both give you a free first checked bag. The Delta Gold extends the free first checked bag to up to nine people on your reservation, which is a nice edge for families. The United Explorer covers you and one companion on the same reservation.
Spending credits
The Delta Gold offers a $200 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year. The United Explorer offers a $100 United travel credit after you spend $10,000 in a year, plus a stack of partner credits (rideshare, Instacart, United Hotels, and more) that can add up if you use them. Check each issuer's site for current credit details, since these perks change.
Perks Beyond the Bag
Both cards do more than save you bag fees, but they lean in different directions.
The United Explorer Card adds two annual United Club one-time passes, priority boarding, and an annual award-flight discount of 10,000 miles after you spend $20,000 in a calendar year. United also offers cardholders discounted award flights, a growing trend among airline cards. If lounges are a priority, the United Club Card goes even further.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold leans toward everyday earning and award value. It earns 2X miles at restaurants and on Delta purchases, and offers a 15% discount on Delta award flights, which can stretch your miles further on each redemption.
If you value lounge access and a heavier perk stack, United edges ahead. If you want simple bonus earning and cheaper award tickets, Delta makes a strong case. It really comes down to your home airport and route map.
What If You're Still Building Credit?
Here is the honest part. Both of these cards generally require good to excellent credit. If your score is not there yet, applying now could mean a denial and a hard inquiry that dings your credit.
The smarter move is to build credit first, then upgrade to a travel card once you qualify. A card built for that goal is the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard, which is designed for people building or rebuilding credit and earns cash back on everyday spending. Use it responsibly and your score can climb toward airline-card territory.
Results vary, terms and conditions apply, and approval depends on your profile. But building a solid base is what eventually unlocks the premium travel cards.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
A Flexible Path Toward Travel Rewards
Building credit does not have to be slow or boring. The Perpay Credit Card pairs a shop-and-pay-over-time marketplace with a card that reports to the major credit bureaus, which can help your history grow while you manage real purchases.
Think of cards like this as the on-ramp. You establish positive payment history, keep your balances low, and over time you become a stronger candidate for a United or Delta card.
Want to track your progress? A free monitoring tool like Creditship.ai lets you watch your score move as your accounts report each month, so you know when you are ready to apply for that travel card.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
A Modern No-Annual-Fee Rewards Card
If you want everyday rewards without a $150 fee while you build toward a travel card, compare the Robinhood credit card. It offers cash back on regular purchases through an app many people already use, with no airline lock-in.
That flexibility can be handy. You earn rewards now, keep your costs low, and stay free to choose an airline card later once you have decided which carrier you fly most.
The takeaway on United Explorer vs Delta Gold: both are solid for frequent flyers, and the winner is simply the airline you use most. Build your credit, pick your airline, and the rest follows.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the United Explorer Card or Delta Gold cheaper?
They cost the same. Both waive the annual fee for the first year, then charge $150 per year. Your decision should come down to which airline you fly and which perks you will actually use, not the price.
Which card has the better free checked bag benefit?
Both offer a free first checked bag. The Delta SkyMiles Gold extends it to up to nine people on the same reservation, which is great for families. The United Explorer covers you and one companion.
Do I need excellent credit to get these cards?
Generally yes. Both airline cards typically require good to excellent credit. If you are still building, consider a credit-builder card first to raise your score before applying, so you avoid an unnecessary hard inquiry.
Can I earn miles on everyday spending with these cards?
Yes. The Delta Gold earns 2X miles at restaurants and on Delta purchases, while the United Explorer earns bonus miles on United purchases and dining. Both earn fewer miles on general spending, so a flat cash-back card can be better for non-travel purchases.
