Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card vs United Quest Card
Both cards cost $350/yr. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card leads on hotels; the United Quest Card on hotels.
Card data as of November 13, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican Express · $350/yr
United Quest CardChase · $350/yr
Overview
- Annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card$350United Quest Card$350
- Welcome offerCurrent public offer
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAs high as 90,000 miles — offers varyUnited Quest CardUp to 90,000 miles
- Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMilesUnited Quest CardUnited MileagePlus
- Foreign transaction fee
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardNoneUnited Quest CardNone
- Network
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican ExpressUnited Quest CardVisa Signature
Earn ratesPer $1 spent
- Hotels
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card3xHighestUnited Quest Card1x
- Dining
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card2xUnited Quest Card2x
- Grocery Stores
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card2xHighestUnited Quest Card1x
- Streaming
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1xUnited Quest Card2xHighest
- Travel
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1xUnited Quest Card2xHighest
- Everything else
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1xUnited Quest Card1x
Statement creditsAs the issuer states them · — means none on record
- Travel
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $150 Delta stays credit
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- 20% back Delta in-flight · $20 per transaction
United Quest Card- $200 United travel
- $150 Renowned Hotels
- $80 Avis/Budget travel
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS
- 25% United inflight
- $150/yr JSX credit
- Rideshare & transit
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $10/mo rideshare · $10 monthly
United Quest Card- $100/yr rideshare · $8 monthly
- Dining & delivery
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $10/mo Resy · $10 monthly
United Quest Card- $15/mo Instacart+ · $15 monthly
- 3 months Instacart+
Perks & access— means none on record
- Airline perks
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Annual companion certificate for domestic Main Cabin flights
- First checked bag free for cardholder plus 8 companions
- Zone 5 Priority Boarding for you and 8 companions
- Complimentary Upgrade List
United Quest Card- Annual 10,000-mile award flight discount
- Free first and second checked bags for you plus companion
- 2 Economy Plus upgrades after $40K annual spend
- Priority boarding on all United flights
- Other perks
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Amex Offers
- MQD Headstart and MQD Boost
- Early access to concerts and events
- 24/7 global travel assistance
- TakeOff 15
- No foreign transaction fees
United Quest Card- No foreign transaction fees
- Premier upgrades on award tickets
- Earn 10,000-mile award discount after $20K annual spend
Protections & insuranceLimits where published · — means none on record
- Trip insurance
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Trip delay coverage up to $300 after 12 hours
United Quest Card- Trip cancellation coverage up to $6,000 per trip
- Trip delay coverage up to $500 per person after 12 hours
- Baggage
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on items
United Quest Card- Baggage delay coverage up to $100/day for 3 days
- Lost luggage coverage up to $3,000 per person
- Rental car
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Car rental insurance up to $50,000
United Quest Card- Primary rental car insurance up to $60,000
- Purchase & returns
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Purchase protection up to $1,000 per occurrence
United Quest Card- Purchase protection up to $10,000 per item for 120 days
- Extended warranty
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Extended warranty adds 1 year to manufacturer warranty
United Quest Card- Extended warranty adds 1 year to manufacturer warranty
- Cell phone
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim
United Quest Card— - Other protections
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Zero liability protection on fraudulent charges
United Quest Card—
Pros & cons
- Pros
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Annual Companion Certificate after card renewal (companion pays only taxes/fees on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central America)
- MQD Headstart ($2,500 a year) plus $1 MQD per $20 spent
- Free first checked bag for cardholder plus up to 8 companions on same reservation; second bag free on domestic flights
- Strong 2x earning on restaurants, hotels, and U.S. supermarkets
- Boosted upgrade priority to First Class and Delta One
United Quest Card- Two free checked bags for cardholder plus companion (up to $440 per roundtrip)
- $200 annual TravelBank credit effectively reduces fee to $150
- $180/year in Instacart credits ($15/month through 2027)
- 10,000-mile award discount annually plus another 10K after $20K spend
- Earns 1 PQP per $20 spent (up to 18,000 PQP/year) plus 1,000 bonus PQPs
- Cons
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $350 annual fee is substantial if not utilizing premium benefits
- Companion Certificate arrives only after the first card renewal
- No lounge access included (must upgrade to Reserve)
- Miles are locked to Delta SkyMiles program with limited transfer options
- Amex cards are accepted at fewer merchants abroad than Visa or Mastercard
United Quest Card- $350 annual fee is substantial without lounge access
- TravelBank credits only work on United/United Express flights
- PQP earning cap of 18,000 limits status acceleration potential
- 2x on non-United travel is lower than some competitors
- Instacart credits expire December 2027
Expert Analysis
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and United Quest Card are two of the most popular cards in their category, and choosing between them comes down to which rewards structure better matches your spending. Both deliver strong value, but in meaningfully different ways.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card's strongest category is Delta Purchases at 3X, while the United Quest Card leads with 3X on United Purchases. Neither card dominates across the board — so the better choice depends on where you spend the most.
At $300/yr vs $350/yr, the United Quest Card is the more accessible option. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card needs to deliver at least $50 in annual value through its premium benefits to justify the gap. It offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags, which can cover that gap for active users.
Key Differences
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X on Delta Purchases vs 1X for the other
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X on Delta Airlines vs 1X for the other
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 2X on Hotels vs 1X for the other
- The United Quest Card costs $300/yr vs $350/yr — a $50 annual gap
- Only the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- Different networks: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is AMEX, United Quest Card is VISA
Spending Scenarios
Which card wins in real-world spending situations?
$200/month on delta purchases
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on delta airlines
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on united purchases
United Quest CardUnited Quest Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on united airlines
United Quest CardUnited Quest Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
Mixed everyday spending, 2 trips/year
United Quest CardWithout heavy spending in the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card's premium categories, the $50 fee difference is hard to recover. The United Quest Card delivers better overall value for moderate spenders.
Who Should Get Which?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if:
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and maximizing premium card benefits. At $350/yr, it delivers solid return on the annual fee investment for its target audience.
Get the United Quest Card if:
The United Quest Card is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on united purchases and united airlines and keeping annual costs low. At $300/yr, it delivers solid return on the annual fee investment for its target audience.
Upgrade & Downgrade Path
These cards are from different issuers, so switching between them requires a new application. Many rewards enthusiasts hold both to maximize earn rates across different spending categories — the annual fee total may be worth it if you're actively using both cards' bonus categories.
Consider which card's rewards ecosystem better fits your redemption goals. Cash back simplicity has its own appeal if you prefer straightforward rewards.
Category-by-Category Winner
The United Quest Card wins in 2 of 3 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card leads in 1. 1 more category depend on booking channel or caps.
Hotels
Depends: via Chase Travel
United Quest Card earns 5X when conditions are met; Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X (3X without restrictions)
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Streaming
United Quest Card earns 2X vs 1X
Travel
United Quest Card earns 2X vs 1X
Year One vs Ongoing Value
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Both scenarios favor the United Quest Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card | United Quest Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $187 Credits (our usable estimate): $172 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $9 Year one: $9 | Rewards: $180 Credits (our usable estimate): $437 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $267 Year one: $1,227 | United Quest Card | United Quest Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $749 Credits (our usable estimate): $172 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $571 Year one: $571 | Rewards: $720 Credits (our usable estimate): $437 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $807 Year one: $1,767 | United Quest Card | United Quest Card |
Which Card Is Right for You?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if you:
- +Do most of your spending at grocery stores
The Bottom Line
Both scenarios favor the United Quest Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which card earns more rewards, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card or United Quest Card?
- Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
- What benefits does the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card have that the United Quest Card doesn't?
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers travel credits, dining credits, cell phone protection. The United Quest Card offers travel credits.
- Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card or the United Quest Card?
- Both cards have the same $350/yr fee. Choose based on which bonus categories match your spending — check the earn rate comparison above.
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published November 13, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.