United Club℠ Infinite Card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card are excellent airline credit cards. Despite its higher annual fee, United Club Infinite Card's lounge access and high rewards rate on airline purchases make it attractive for frequent flyers.

However, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card’s lower credit requirement and valuable perks, like a companion certificate, make it a solid choice for many travelers.

The United Club Infinite Card is likely to be better for frequent travelers who value premium perks like unlimited lounge access. It offers four miles on United purchases and a generous sign-up bonus, making it appealing to regular travelers. However, its $525 annual fee may not be worth it for those who don’t fly often or prefer other airlines.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is likely to be better for frequent Delta flyers seeking perks like a companion certificate and priority boarding. It offers high rewards on Delta purchases and hotels. However, it may not suit travelers who want lounge access, and its high annual fee might not be worth it for those who travel less often.

A point-by-point comparison helps you evaluate features like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you're focused on airline rewards, the United Club Infinite offers four miles on United purchases, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum provides three miles on Delta purchases.

The United Club Infinite and Delta SkyMiles Platinum cards offer valuable rewards for frequent travelers. The United Club Infinite Card provides a higher rewards rate on United purchases, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers rewards on Delta purchases and extra categories like hotels, dining and groceries.

Delta SkyMiles are valued at roughly 1.4 cents each, similar to the United Club Infinite Card. This similarity means the choice may come down to airline preference rather than rewards value alone.

The table below outlines the rewards categories for each card for a quick comparison.

Both cards offer flexible redemption options, letting you use miles for airfare, hotel stays and more. Delta miles require account activity every 12 months to stay active, while United miles never expire. When evaluating these features, consider your travel habits and airline preferences.

The United Club Infinite offers unlimited lounge access, perfect for frequent travelers. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum provides a companion certificate, suitable for those traveling with a partner. Both cards include free checked bags, but United also covers a second bag.

Travel Perks

• Two free checked bags for the cardholder and a companion
• Priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling
• Access to United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges

Status

• Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards
• Enrollment in Avis President's Club
• Earn Premier qualifying points toward United Premier status

Insurance and Protections

• Comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation and lost luggage reimbursement
• Primary auto rental collision damage waiver

Credits and Discounts

• Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fees
• Discounts on in-flight purchases and IHG hotel stays

All Other Perks

• Complimentary DashPass membership for DoorDash and Caviar

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and a companion on Delta flights, saving up to $70 per round-trip flight per person
• Eligible for the Complimentary Upgrade list with an eligible ticket
• $100 statement credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck application fees

Status

• $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar per $20 spent, helping you achieve elevated Medallion Status
• $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
• Hertz Five Star Status for enhanced car rental benefits

Insurance and Protections

• Travel insurance covering trip delays, baggage loss and rental car damage

Credits and Discounts

• Up to $120 in statement credits annually for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers
• $120 Resy Credit for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants
• 20% savings on eligible Delta inflight purchases
• Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta App
• Up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays

All Other Perks

• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central American round-trip flights each year after card renewal
• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership for free two-day shipping and returns

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.