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Card Comparison

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card vs United Explorer

Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card card art
Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
American Express
More Info
United Explorer card art
United MileagePlus
United Explorer
Chase
More Info
Annual Fee
$650/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
125,000 points
Spend $15,000 in 6 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
  • Delta Purchases 3x
  • Transit/Rideshares 1.5x
  • U.S. Shipping Providers 1.5x
  • United Purchases 2x
  • Restaurant Purchases 2x
  • Hotel Stays 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
  • Statement Credit $10
  • Statement Credit $20
  • Statement Credit $5
  • Statement Credit $50
  • Statement Credit $50
  • +1 more
Card Perks
  • Delta Sky Club Access
  • First Checked Bag Free
  • Priority Boarding
  • +2 more
  • 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Spend Milestones
  • Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access
    After $75,000 spend
No milestones
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners

Common Questions: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card vs United Explorer

Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card or United Explorer better for dining?

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card has no dining bonus; United Explorer earns 2x on dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card currently offers 125,000 pts signup bonus (spend $15,000 in 6 months). United Explorer offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card has the larger bonus.

Which card is better for international travel?

Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.

Can I hold both the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card and the United Explorer?

In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is from American Express and United Explorer is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.