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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card vs United Explorer Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the United Explorer Card from Chase at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($930 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express CardUnited Explorer Card
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Bonus value (est.)$110$1,040
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$3,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorybusinessairline
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Free checked bag
  • 2 United Club passes/year
  • Priority boarding
  • 25% back on inflight purchases
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card

The $0 annual fee Delta business card. Holds the SkyMiles relationship alive at zero cost and earns 2X on Delta + restaurants. For business owners flying Delta even occasionally, the $150 Gold Business's first-bag-free and 2X shipping/advertising categories usually justify the upgrade.

Editorial take: United Explorer Card

Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 70k + 10k AU bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights. $0 intro annual fee, then $150.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card or United Explorer Card?
The United Explorer Card has the bigger bonus, 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040, versus 10,000 Delta SkyMiles (~$110) on the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the United Explorer Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the United Explorer Card's $150 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the United Explorer Card's benefits to clear $150 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card and United Explorer Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card or the United Explorer Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. United Explorer Card: $3,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.