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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex: Battle of the mid-tier airline cards
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
May 6, 2025 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
Mid-tier airline credit cards offer a balance of affordability and strong travel benefits, typically with moderate annual fees.
Two leading options in this category provide similar perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding and statement credits, but differ in their approach to companion benefits and earning structures.
One card stands out for its annual companion certificate, making it valuable for those traveling with others, while the other offers more flexible statement credits and expanded discounted award availability.
The best choice depends on which airline you fly most frequently, as both cards align their benefits with their respective loyalty programs.
What to consider
Eligibility for certain perks may require additional spending or annual renewal.
Award discounts, bonus categories and companion benefits differ, so travelers should assess which features align with their habits.
Loyalty program miles are valued at 1.2 cents each as of October 2026 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of benefit structures, redemption options and which card offers better value for specific travel styles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP: Earn 500 PQP after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Apply and find out if your welcome offer is as high as 90,000 bonus miles, plus earn a $300 statement credit after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum offer amount.
Annual fee
$350
$350
Earning rates
10 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United Airlines flights
5 miles per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts
4 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
2 miles per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and all other travel purchases
1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
3 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases with Delta Air Lines and hotels (made directly with the hotels)
2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide and groceries at U.S. supermarkets
1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Benefits
One 10,000-mile award flight discount every account anniversary and the ability to earn a second by spending $20,000 or more on purchases each calendar year
Free first and second checked bags (including one companion on the same reservation)
Priority boarding
25% back on inflight purchases
The ability to earn two global Economy Plus upgrades after spending $40,000 or more on purchases each calendar year
Annual domestic companion certificate at each card renewal
First checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight companions) traveling on the same reservation and a second checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight eligible Delta card-carrying companions) traveling on the same reservation for a domestic U.S. flight
Priority boarding
20% back on inflight purchases
15% discount on award travel when booked directly with Delta
Credits
Airline: $200 annual United TravelBank cash after account opening and every account anniversary, plus up to $150 in JSX credits (when booking directly)
Hotels: Up to $150 in credits for Renowned Hotels and Resorts every account anniversary
Rental cars: Up to $40 each in United TravelBank cash for the first two Avis or Budget car rentals booked through United Cars each account anniversary year
Ride-hailing services: Up to $8 in monthly statement credits for ride-hailing services, plus a bonus of $4 (for a total of $12) in December; yearly opt-in required
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Hotels: Up to $150 Delta Stays statement credit
Ride-hailing services: Up to a $10 ride-hailing statement credit with select U.S. providers (up to $120 annually)
Dining: Up to a $10 monthly statement credit at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $120 annually)
$120 Global Entry statement credit or up to $85 TSA PreCheck statement credit every four years
(Enrollment is required for select benefits)
Lounge benefits
None
None
Elite status benefits
Earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent (up to 18,000 each year).
Receive a 1,000-PQP boost every year starting in 2026 (within 8 weeks of Feb. 1).
Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $20 spent.
Receive a 2,500 MQD boost each Medallion qualification year
United Quest vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum welcome bonus
The United Quest offers up to 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP: Earn 500 PQP after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
TPG's October 2026 valuations peg United miles at 1.2 cents a piece, making these bonus miles worth up to $1,080.
With the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, you can apply and find out if your welcome offer is as high as 90,000 bonus miles, plus earn a $300 statement credit after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum offer amount.
TPG's October 2026 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents a piece, making this bonus worth up to $1,380 (including the statement credit).
Of note is that the United Quest offers two free checked bags for you and up to one companion on the same reservation. The Delta Platinum offers a first checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight companions) traveling on the same reservation, and a second checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight eligible Delta card-carrying companions) traveling on the same reservation for a domestic U.S. flight. So, you'll get more value from the Delta card if you travel with a large group and check bags.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The Delta Platinum's marquee benefit is the anniversary companion ticket awarded each year you renew the card. This ticket is valid in Main Cabin (economy) and can be used to fly you and a companion round-trip within all 50 U.S. states, as well as to and from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. You pay for the first ticket and then cover just the taxes and fees on the second.
While the Delta Platinum's statement credits are arguably easier to use, the United Quest offers more value in statement credits. The Quest also requires additional spending to unlock some benefits, whereas none of the Delta Platinum's benefits require additional spending.
Winner: Delta Platinum. Both cards offer similar airline-specific benefits and credits, but the Delta Platinum's companion certificate gives it a slight edge.
Where the United Quest one-ups the Delta Platinum is in offering expanded availability for discounted and saver awards. I tend to take advantage of these discounted fares, especially when going on round-trip itineraries to Europe and tacking on an essentially free (just the cost of taxes and fees) stopover in another city using United's Excursionist Perk.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
However, I also like to redeem SkyMiles whenever Delta runs award flash sales and stack this with the 15% award discount perk on eligible Delta-operated award tickets. Recently, I booked a one-way ticket from Seattle to Cancun, Mexico, for just 3,400 SkyMiles in economy class.
Winner: United Quest. It edges out the Delta Platinum, as United miles are worth slightly more. Plus, it offers expanded discounted award availability for cardholders.
Should you get the United Quest or Delta SkyMiles Platinum?
Put simply: If you fly Delta more frequently, you should opt for the Delta Platinum; if you fly United more, then the Quest Card is for you.
If you're split between the two, consider each card's benefits and how they'd best fit into your lifestyle. For example, the Delta Platinum offers a companion certificate (a major perk), while the Quest provides more valuable statement credits, but they're harder to maximize.
How to switch from the United Quest to the Delta SkyMiles Platinum
You can’t product-change between these two cards, as the United Quest is issued by Chase and the Delta Platinum is issued by American Express. You would have to apply for whichever card you don't have.
These mid-tier cards both make compelling cases to join your credit card lineup. If you only want to choose one, the best one for you will likely be the one that aligns with the airline you fly most frequently.
Even if you only fly each airline a couple of times per year, both cards are worth considering. It’s entirely possible that both the United Quest and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum cards deserve a spot in your wallet.
No matter which card you choose, know that the right mid-tier airline card can unlock real value and elevate your travel experience.
