Both the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and the United Club Infinite Card cater to frequent flyers of their respective airlines. The Delta card emphasizes Delta-specific perks, while the United card provides broader lounge access and potentially higher earning rates on United purchases. The choice depends on airline preference and spending habits.
| Attribute | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | United Club Infinite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 | $695 |
| Welcome Bonus Offer | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months. Some reports mention potential offers up to 100,000 miles. | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Some sources mention limited-time offers up to 90,000 or even 120,000 miles with varying spending requirements. |
| Earning Rate on Delta/United Purchases | 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta | 4 miles per dollar on United purchases. Cardholders may earn 9 miles per dollar on United flights, which includes 5 miles as a MileagePlus member and 4 miles from the card. |
| Earning Rate on Other Purchases | 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases | 5 miles per dollar on stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts, 2 miles per dollar on dining and all other travel, 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. |
| Delta/United Lounge Access | 15 visits per Medallion Year to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta. Unlimited access is unlocked after spending $75,000 in purchases on the card during a calendar year. Also includes access to The Centurion Lounge when booking a Delta flight with the Reserve Card. Four one-time guest passes are provided each Medallion Year. | Provides United Club membership, granting access to United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide. Amenities generally include bar service, light snacks, and Wi-Fi. |
| Free Checked Bags | First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. | The primary cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation get their first and second checked bags free on United-operated flights. |
| Priority Boarding | Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. | Includes Premier Access travel services, offering priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding, and baggage handling. |
| TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit | A statement credit is available every 4 years for the Global Entry application fee ($120) or every 4.5 years for the TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $85). | Statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees. |
| Statement Credits | Up to $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit; Up to $240 annual Resy credit ($20 per month); Up to $120 annual rideshare credit ($10 per month); Up to $9.99 monthly statement credit for Uber One monthly membership through 6/25/2026. | Up to $200 annually for bookings with Renowned Hotels and Resorts, Up to $150 annually on rideshare purchases (enrollment required), Up to $240 annually in Instacart credits (terms apply, benefits end 12/31/27), Up to $200 annually on JSX flights, Up to $100 annually in United TravelBank cash for Avis or Budget car rentals booked through cars.united.com. |
| Travel Insurance Benefits | Includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance, and baggage insurance. | Includes benefits like car rental damage insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | No foreign transaction fees. | None |
| Redemption Options | Redeem miles for flights, upgrades, experiences, and merchandise. Cardholders save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. | Miles can be redeemed for flights, hotels, merchandise, and more. Cardholders can redeem miles toward the annual fee at a fixed ratio. |