United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express

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Mid-tier bank cards strike a stability between affordability and strong perks, with annual charges usually starting from $100 to $350.

On this planet of airline bank cards, essentially the most head-to-head competitor to the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) — with a $350 annual price — at this mid-tier stage is probably going the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, which comes with a $350 annual price (see rates and fees).

These two playing cards are issued by totally different banks and supply miles and perks for various airways, however in addition they share many similarities.

Let’s examine how these two playing cards stack up in a head-to-head competitors.

United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparability

Card	United Quest	Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex
Welcome supply	Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This supply ends Could 7.	Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Annual price	$350	$350
Incomes charges	8 miles per greenback spent on United Airways flights 5 miles per greenback spent on pay as you go accommodations booked by Famend Lodges and Resorts 3 miles per greenback spent on all different United purchases 2 miles per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming companies and all different journey purchases 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases	3 miles per greenback spent on eligible purchases with Delta Air Strains and accommodations (made instantly with the accommodations) 2 miles per greenback spent on purchases at eating places worldwide and groceries at U.S. supermarkets 1 mile per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases
Advantages	One 10,000-mile award flight low cost each account anniversary and the flexibility to earn a second by spending $20,000 or extra on purchases every calendar yr Free first and second checked luggage (together with one companion on the identical reservation) Precedence boarding 25% again on inflight purchases The flexibility to earn two world Financial system Plus upgrades after spending $40,000 or extra on purchases every calendar yr	Annual home companion certificates at every card renewal Free checked bag on Delta flights (together with as much as eight companions on the identical reservation) Precedence boarding 20% again on inflight purchases 15% low cost on award journey when booked instantly with Delta
Credit	Airline: $200 annual United TravelBank money after account opening and each account anniversary, plus as much as $150 in JSX credit (when reserving instantly) Lodges: As much as $150 in credit for Famend Lodges and Resorts each account anniversary Rental automobiles: As much as $40 every in United TravelBank money for the primary two Avis or Finances automobile leases booked by United Vehicles every account anniversary yr Trip-hailing companies: As much as $8 in month-to-month assertion credit for ride-hailing companies, plus a bonus of $4 (for a complete of $12) in December; yearly opt-in required World Entry/TSA PreCheck credit score	Lodges: As much as $150 Delta Stays assertion credit score Trip-hailing companies: As much as a $10 ride-hailing assertion credit score with choose U.S. suppliers (as much as $120 yearly) Eating: As much as a $10 month-to-month assertion credit score at U.S. Resy eating places (as much as $120 yearly) $120 World Entry assertion credit score (each 4 years) or as much as $85 TSA PreCheck assertion credit score (each 4.5 years) (Enrollment is required for choose advantages)
Lounge advantages	None	None
Elite standing advantages	Earn 1 PQP for each $20 spent (as much as 18,000 every year). Obtain a 1,000-PQP enhance yearly beginning in 2026.	Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Greenback for each $20 spent. Obtain a 2,500 MQD enhance every Medallion qualification yr

United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum welcome bonus

The United Quest presents 90,000 bonus United miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. This supply ends Could 7.

TPG’s April 2025 valuations peg United miles at 1.35 cents a bit, making these bonus miles price $1,215.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is at present providing 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. TPG’s April 2025 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents a bit, making this bonus price $720.

Winner: United Quest. Its welcome supply is price nearly double the bonus accessible with the Delta Platinum.

Associated: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

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United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum advantages

Each playing cards supply elitelike advantages, similar to free checked bags when flying that airline, priority boarding, an inflight discount and shortcuts to elite status.

Moreover, each playing cards supply an as much as $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, assertion credit, and rental car and trip protection coverage.

Of observe is that the United Quest presents two free checked luggage for you and as much as one companion on the identical reservation. The Delta Platinum solely presents one free bag, nevertheless it’s for you and as much as eight companions on the identical reservation. So, you will get extra worth from the Delta card in the event you journey with a big group and verify luggage.

The Delta Platinum’s marquee profit is the anniversary companion ticket awarded every year you renew the cardboard. This ticket is legitimate in Foremost Cabin (financial system) and can be utilized to fly you and a companion round-trip inside all 50 U.S. states, in addition to to and from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. You pay for the primary ticket after which cowl simply the taxes and costs on the second.

Whereas the Delta Platinum’s assertion credit are arguably simpler to make use of, the United Quest presents extra worth in assertion credit. The Quest additionally requires extra spending to unlock some advantages, whereas not one of the Delta Platinum’s advantages require extra spending.

Winner: Delta Platinum. Each playing cards supply comparable airline-specific advantages and credit, however the Delta Platinum’s companion certificates offers it a slight edge.

Associated: United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more

Incomes miles on the United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum

The United Quest wins in most classes, providing a better return on flights, most journey (besides accommodations), eating and choose streaming companies.

The one classes that the Delta Platinum wins in are accommodations, eating places worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.

Winner: United Quest. It has extra bonus-earning classes, and United miles are price greater than Delta’s.

Associated: United MileagePlus program: How to redeem miles for flights, hotels and more

Redeeming miles on the United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum

Each playing cards can redeem the miles earned on their respective airways.

With the United Quest, you possibly can redeem flights for United, associate and Star Alliance flights. With the Delta Platinum, you possibly can redeem your SkyMiles for Delta, associate and SkyTeam flights.

The place the United Quest one-ups the Delta Platinum is in providing expanded availability for discounted and saver awards. I are likely to make the most of these discounted fares, particularly when occurring round-trip itineraries to Europe and tacking on an primarily free (simply the price of taxes and costs) stopover in one other metropolis utilizing United’s Excursionist Perk.

Nevertheless, I additionally prefer to redeem SkyMiles every time Delta runs award flash gross sales and stack this with the 15% award low cost perk on eligible Delta-operated award tickets. Not too long ago, I booked a one-way ticket from Seattle to Cancun, Mexico, for simply 3,400 SkyMiles in financial system class.

Winner: United Quest. It edges out the Delta Platinum, as United miles are price barely extra. Plus, it presents expanded discounted award availability for cardholders.

Associated: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it

Must you get the United Quest or Delta SkyMiles Platinum?

Put merely: Should you fly Delta extra ceaselessly, you must go for the Delta Platinum; in the event you fly United extra, then the Quest Card is for you.

Should you’re cut up between the 2, contemplate every card’s advantages and the way they’d finest match into your way of life. For instance, the Delta Platinum presents a companion certificates (a significant perk), whereas the Quest supplies extra priceless assertion credit, however they’re more durable to maximise.

Associated: Best Delta credit cards

Tips on how to swap from the United Quest to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum

You may’t product-change between these two playing cards, because the United Quest is issued by Chase and the Delta Platinum is issued by American Specific. You’d have to apply for whichever card you do not have.

Associated: Best United Airlines credit cards

Backside line

These mid-tier playing cards each make compelling circumstances to hitch your bank card lineup. Should you solely wish to select one, one of the best one for you’ll doubtless be the one which aligns with the airline you fly most ceaselessly.

Even in the event you solely fly every airline a few occasions per yr, each playing cards are price contemplating. It is totally potential that each the United Quest and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum playing cards deserve a spot in your pockets.

Irrespective of which card you select, know that the best mid-tier airline card can unlock actual worth and elevate your journey expertise.

To be taught extra, learn our full critiques of the United Quest and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum.

Apply right here: United Quest Card

Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex Card, please click on here.

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