Delta vs. United Airlines: Which Is Best for You?

• Delta charges lower carry-on bag fees on basic economy tickets.
• United is a member of Star Alliance (the largest network with 25 airlines), while Delta is part of SkyTeam (a smaller alliance with 18 airlines).
• Delta’s most expensive credit card, which provides Sky Club lounge access, also offers entry to American Express Centurion Lounges, while United’s most expensive card grants entry only to United Club lounges.

Delta

• Atlanta.
• Boston.
• Detroit.
• Los Angeles.
• Minneapolis.
• New York (JFK and LaGuardia).
• Salt Lake City.
• Seattle.

• Amsterdam.
• London-Heathrow.
• Mexico City.
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
• Seoul.
• Tokyo.

United

• Chicago.
• Denver.
• Guam.
• Houston-Intercontinental.
• Los Angeles.
• Newark.
• San Francisco.
• Washington-Dulles.

• Frankfurt.
• London-Heathrow.
• Sao Paulo.
• Tokyo (Haneda and Narita).

Delta SkyMiles

• 1 MQD for every $20 spent with the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
• 1 MQD for every $10 spent with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. Terms apply.

United MileagePlus

Delta credit cards

• 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

• 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• Pay with Miles.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.

• 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

• Free checked bag for up to nine passengers.
• Save 15% when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta flights.
• Zone 5 priority boarding.
• $200 Delta credit after making $10,000 in purchases.
• 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• Annual $100 Delta Stays credit for hotels and vacation rentals.
• Travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.
• Pay with Miles.
• No foreign transaction fees.

• 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and directly at hotels.
• 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.
• Delta companion certificate (main cabin).
• Free checked bag for up to nine passengers.
• Save 15% when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta flights.
• Zone 5 priority boarding.
• 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• 2,500 MQD deposit each year.
• MQD boost of 1 MQD for every $20 spent.
• Annual $120 rideshare credit ($10 per month).
• Annual $150 Delta Stays credit for hotels and vacation rentals.
• Annual $120 Resy credit ($10 per month).
• Travel insurance, purchase protection and cell phone insurance benefits.
• Pay with Miles.
• No foreign transaction fees.

• 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.
• Delta companion certificate (Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main).
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access (up to 15 visits per year).
• Complimentary Centurion Lounge access.
• Free checked bag for up to nine passengers.
• Save 15% when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta flights.
• Zone 5 priority boarding.
• 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• 2,500 MQD deposit each year.
• MQD boost of 1 MQD for every $10 spent.
• Annual $120 rideshare credit ($10 per month).
• Annual $240 Resy credit ($20 per month).
• Annual $200 Delta Stays credit for hotels and vacation rentals.
• Travel insurance, purchase protection and cell phone insurance benefits.
• Pay with Miles.
• No foreign transaction fees.

United credit cards

• 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, gas, local transit and commuting.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• Travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.
• No foreign transaction fees.

• 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining and hotels.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• First checked bag free for up to two passengers.
• Priority boarding.
• Two one-time United Club passes per year.
• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.
• Earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent up to 1,000 PQPs per year.
• Annual $100 credit toward United Hotels purchases.
• Annual $60 rideshare credit ($5 per month).
• Annual $120 Instacart credit.
• Travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.
• 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

• 5 miles per $1 spent on Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, travel and select streaming services.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• $200 in United® TravelBank cash after account opening and annually on your account anniversary.
• Annual 10,000-mile award flight discount.
• First and second checked bag free for up to two passengers.
• Priority boarding.
• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.
• Earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent up to 18,000 PQPs per year.
• 1,000 PQP deposit each year. 
• Annual $150 statement credit for Renowned Hotels and Resorts bookings.
• Annual $100 rideshare credit ($8 per month and $12 in December).
• Annual $180 Instacart credit ($15 per month).
• Travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.
• 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

• 5 miles per $1 spent on Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 spent on dining and travel.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• United Club membership.
• Premier Access at the airport.
• Avis President’s Club membership and IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status.
• First and second checked bag free for up to two passengers.
• Priority boarding.
• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.
• Earn 1 PQP for every $15 spent up to 28,000 PQPs.
• 1,500 PQP deposit each year.
• Annual $200 statement credit for Renowned Hotels and Resorts bookings. 
• Annual $150 rideshare credit ($12 per month and $18 in December). 
• Annual $240 Instacart credit ($20 per month). 
• Travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.
• 10% discount on Economy Saver Awards when traveling within the continental U.S. or between the continental U.S. and Canada.
• 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.