Compare the Features and Benefits of United℠ Explorer Card and
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

The United Explorer is one of the best credit cards out there for occasional United flyers. That’s because you’ll get useful perks, such as free first checked bags, priority boarding privileges, a 25% food and beverage discount on board United operated flights, and even get a taste of airport lounge access with two anniversary United Club passes. Plus. the annual fee is waived the first year, then just $95 thereafter.

Consider this scenario: Even if you only fly United a couple of times per year, the Explorer Card is worth it for the free checked bag benefit alone. Keep in mind, this applies to the primary card holder and one companion on the same reservation, as long as you use the card to pay for your ticket. At $35 for one checked bag, and $140 for a round-trip flight for two people, it’s easy to get value that exceeds the card’s annual fee.

In addition to the sign-up bonus earned after account opening, the United Explorer card earns a decent 2X miles on United Airlines purchases, 2X miles on dining, including eligible delivery services, 2X miles on hotel stays when booked with the hotel and 1x miles on all other purchases. Also, the card helps to fast track your United elite status goals with 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $12,000 you spend on purchases (up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year). These PQPs can be applied toward your Premier status qualification — up to the Premier 1K level.

And don’t forget the ability to earn PQPs towards elite status from spend. You’ll earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $500 you spend on purchases – up to 1,000 PQPs per year.

If you’re in need of extra miles besides flying on United flights, keep in mind that Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to the United Mileage Plus program at a 1:1 ratio to help you top up your miles balance.

While the United Explorer card is a fantastic option for the occasional United flyer, those that travel more often with the airline might want to consider other options, including United’s other, more premium, credit cards.

In more simple terms, the Explorer card fits the “occasional United flyer” once or twice per year mold, while the $250-per-year United Quest fits the “semi-frequent United flyer.” Then, there’s the United Club Infinite Card for the “frequent United flyer.” If you’re looking for a United Club membership and need more than just two one-time passes, you’ll probably be better off with the United Club Infinite Card, which comes with a full United Club membership but also charges the highest annual fee of the United cards at $525.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card offers a slew of perks that will appeal to several types of business owners. Whether you’re looking to join the early ranks of Silver or Gold Medallion status, or want to climb further toward Platinum or Diamond, this business card provides excellent incentives for higher spend, helping you earn your way towards higher status levels.

Not only that, but you will earn 3x bonus miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases, 1.5x miles on transit, U.S. shipping, and large purchases of $5,000 or more (up to an aggregate limit of $100,000 per year; earn 1X thereafter) plus 1x miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

In short, the Delta Platinum Business card’s earning rate is solid for businesses who want to reap the rewards on their high operating expenses.

The $350 annual fee can be hard to swallow, but several notable perks can help you save money when you’re flying with Delta.

First, you and up to eight passengers can get a first checked bag free on Delta Flights + Zone 5 Priority Boarding.

You’ll also receive up to a $100 credit toward your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application or renewal (Terms apply).

And upon paying your annual fee every account anniversary, you’ll receive an annual companion certificate that’s valid for Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights on Delta. If used wisely, you can easily score hundreds of dollars in value from this recurring benefit.

Other smaller, but just as impactful, benefits include no foreign transaction fees, a 15% discount when redeeming SkyMiles for flights on Delta, as well as a solid range of travel and purchase protection benefits, including cell phone insurance.

For those that need a hand with reaching the next Delta Medallion® elite status level, this card earns 1 MQD (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) for every $20 spent on eligible purchases with your Card plus $2,500 MQDs each year – just for holding the card!

There are also up to $440 worth of statement credits available on this card.

You can get an statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.

You’ll also be eligible for up to $120 in Resy Credit (earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card) and you can earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.

Note that you cannot enter the Delta Sky Clubs with the Delta Platinum Amex Business card. If you anticipate needing airport lounge access,  you may want to consider the Delta SkyMiles® Business Reserve Card, which comes with a much higher $650 annual fee. However, you’ll get access to Delta Sky Clubs when you fly Delta that same day with the Delta SkyMiles® Business Reserve Card. (Limitations apply.)

Overall, the Delta Platinum Amex Business Card is a phenomenal option for business owners who want to maximize their earning potential on Delta purchases, enjoy flight perks, and work towards elite status on Delta.

Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card