United Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles Gold for Checked Bags

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Which card gives a better free checked bag benefit, the United Explorer or the Delta SkyMiles Gold? As of October 4, 2026, it depends first on which airline operates your flight: the Explorer’s free bag applies on United and United Express, and the Gold’s on Delta and Delta Connection. After that it depends on how many people travel together.

This guide covers only the checked-bag benefit of the United℠ Explorer Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. Where Chase, United, Delta and Amex word a rule differently, the differences are noted below.

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At a Glance

• United℠ Explorer Card: The published benefit is for a flyer whose ticket is operated by United or, on the Chase offers page and the United cardmember bag page, by United Express. The Chase pages say the primary Cardmember and one same-reservation companion are covered.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: The published benefit is for a flyer whose ticket is marketed and operated by Delta or Delta Connection. The first-bag waiver can cover passengers on the Basic Card Member's reservation, and the second-bag waiver is limited to Basic Card Members on domestic Delta-operated tickets.
• Deciding factor: The airline that operates the flight, then party size. The Explorer covers the primary Cardmember and one companion (two travelers). The Delta Gold’s first-bag waiver can cover the Basic Card Member and other passengers on the reservation, up to nine waivers.
• Second bag: A second free standard bag is published only on the Delta side. The United cardmember bag page shows the Explorer second standard checked bag at the Standard fee.
• Codeshare: Neither published benefit covers codeshare partner-operated flights.
• Annual fee, for identification only: The Chase offers page, the American Express card page, and the American Express terms page each show $0 for the first year, then $150.

Real-World Examples

• Flying a United or United Express flight: the Explorer’s free first bag applies. The Delta Gold’s does not, because Delta limits its waiver to Delta and Delta Connection flights.
• Flying a Delta or Delta Connection flight that Delta also markets: the Gold’s free first bag applies, and the Explorer’s does not.
• A flyer who needs a first bag for the primary traveler and one same-reservation companion is covered by the Explorer, according to the Chase product page, the Chase offers page and the United cardmember bag page. A second companion is not covered; the Explorer covers two travelers in total.
• A flyer with several passengers on one Delta reservation is inside the Delta published first-bag coverage only up to the nine-waiver cap, and only if a Basic Card Member's SkyMiles number is on the reservation.
• A flyer asking about a second bag finds it published on the Delta side only, for Basic Card Members on domestic Delta-operated tickets starting June 4, 2026, not for every passenger on the reservation.
• A flyer on a codeshare partner-operated flight is outside both published benefits.
• A new cardmember flying in the first 90 days does not need to buy the ticket with the Explorer (the flight must be completed within those 90 days), but should still add a MileagePlus number and allow 2 weeks after opening, per the Chase offers page.

Who Each Checked-Bag Benefit Is For

• As of October 4, 2026, the published benefit on the United℠ Explorer Card is for a flyer whose ticket is operated by United or, on the Chase offers page and the United cardmember bag page, by United Express, and who puts the primary Cardmember and one same-reservation companion on the ticket.
• The published benefit on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is for a flyer whose ticket is marketed and operated by Delta or Delta Connection. The first-bag waiver can cover passengers on the Basic Card Member's reservation, and the second-bag waiver is limited to Basic Card Members on domestic Delta-operated tickets.
• The Chase offers page and the Chase product page offer the card under the name United℠ Explorer Card, and the Chase offers page states it is issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
• The American Express card page and the American Express terms page offer the card under the name Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, issued by American Express.
• The Chase offers page shows an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $150. The American Express card page and the linked American Express terms page show the same. The Chase product page doesn't state an annual fee.

For the Delta side in more depth, see Delta credit card free checked bags and the Delta SkyMiles Gold review.

Who Is Covered, and on Which Flights

United℠ Explorer Card

• The Chase offers page says the primary Cardmember and one traveling companion on the same reservation are each eligible for a first standard checked bag free, and authorized users are eligible only if they are on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember. It limits the benefit to United- and United Express-operated flights and says codeshare partner-operated flights are not eligible.
• The Chase product page says the primary Cardmember and one companion on the same reservation get a first standard checked bag free on United-operated flights. Chase's product-page footnote says the benefit is available on United and United Express operated flights and that authorized users are eligible only if they are on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember.
• The United cardmember bag page shows the Explorer first standard checked bag as Free and the second standard checked bag at the Standard fee. It says primary Cardmembers can check bags free on United and United Express flights, and that a guest on the same reservation can also check bags free. Its authorized-user answer says an authorized card user on the same reservation “will count as the one traveling companion eligible for the benefit,” so the page agrees with Chase on one companion. It also says you must be a Cardmember at check-in, that the benefit is only available on flights operated by United or United Express, that “codeshare flights are not eligible,” and that unpublished fares, such as those bought on priceline.com and Hotwire, are not eligible.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

• The Delta first-checked-bag page limits the first-bag waiver to Basic Card Members, not Additional Card Members, of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold, Gold Business, Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve, or Reserve Business American Express Card. The waiver is also available to passengers on the same reservation as the Basic Card Member, with a maximum of nine waivers per reservation. Delta’s Medallion & Credit Card Bag Allowance page describes this as the Card Member plus up to 8 travel companions listed on the reservation, 9 passengers in total. An Additional Card Member is covered only as a passenger on the Basic Card Member’s reservation.
• The same first- and second-bag benefit is listed for the Platinum and Reserve cards on Delta’s Amex card comparison, which shows annual fees of $350 for the Platinum and $650 for the Reserve, against $150 after the first year for the Gold. On that page, the bags alone do not differ between the three cards.
• The first-bag waiver applies on a Delta or Delta Connection segment when the passenger checks in with Delta for a Delta-marketed and Delta-operated flight. Codeshare flights are not eligible.
• The Delta first-checked-bag page also says that starting June 4, 2026, Basic Card Members can check a second bag free on domestic Delta flights. The second-bag waiver is for Basic Card Members, not Additional Card Members, who are passengers on the reservation, and it is available once per Eligible Card per direction of travel.
• On that first-checked-bag page, domestic means tickets whose origin and destination are within the United States (U.S. 48, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), on Delta or Delta Connection, Delta-marketed and Delta-operated, checked in with Delta.
• The Delta news release dated June 4, 2026, issued with American Express, says that starting June 4, 2026, Basic Delta SkyMiles® Gold, Platinum and Reserve consumer and business Card Members receive a complimentary second checked bag on domestic Delta-operated flights.
• The Delta baggage overview says eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members can check a first standard bag free, and eligible Basic Card Members can also check a second standard bag free on domestic Delta flights.
• The American Express card page marketing line is a first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide, and on domestic Delta flights the second bag flies free too. That block does not state a companion count.

Conditions and Exclusions as Published

United℠ Explorer Card

• The Chase offers page says the primary Cardmember must use the United℠ Explorer Card to purchase the ticket or tickets and must include the MileagePlus number in the reservation. The purchase requirement is waived for flights completed during the 90 days following the account open date, and the page says to allow 2 weeks after account opening before the first free standard checked bag is available.
• The Chase product page says the primary Cardmember includes the MileagePlus number and purchases the tickets from United with the card, and that purchase requirement is waived for flights within 90 days of account opening. Its benefit sentence does not include the 2-week line.
• The United cardmember bag page says the traveler must buy the tickets with the qualifying United MileagePlus card and add the MileagePlus number. Its asterisk says this rule does not apply to new cardmembers traveling on flights within the first 90 days.
• All three pages waive the purchase requirement in the first 90 days. The Chase offers page words it most strictly, as flights “completed during the 90 days following the account open date,” so plan on the flight being flown within 90 days. Only the Chase offers page adds the 2-week wait after account opening.
• The Chase offers page says service charges for oversized, overweight, and extra baggage may apply, and cardmembers already exempt from other checked-baggage service charges do not receive an additional free standard checked bag.
• The United cardmember bag page also says checked bags must meet weight and size restrictions and may be subject to additional fees.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

• The Delta first-checked-bag page says the reservation must include the Basic Card Member's SkyMiles number for the first bag, and all traveling Basic Card Members' SkyMiles numbers before check-in or bag payment for the second bag.
• The waiver is only the standard bag fee, if any, for a bag that is not overweight or oversize. It is not available when the passenger is already receiving one or more checked bags free (first-bag waiver) or two or more checked bags free (second-bag waiver), including because of the itinerary, Medallion status, or active-duty military status.
• New Card Members and Card Members upgrading from another Delta SkyMiles card are eligible after receiving the card from American Express.
• Delta and Amex word the payment question differently. Delta’s first-checked-bag page says the first bag is free “on Delta flights booked with your Card,” and its Medallion & Credit Card Bag Allowance page says “booked with your Delta SkyMiles Amex Card.” Amex’s article How to Get Free Checked Bags with a Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card (last updated June 4, 2026) says you must pay for your airfare with the eligible Card. The numbered benefit terms on Amex’s and Delta’s pages list the SkyMiles-number requirement but do not state a pay-with-card rule. Because the wording differs, buying the ticket with the Card and putting the Basic Card Member’s SkyMiles number on the reservation is the safe way to book.

What the Benefit Replaces in the Airline's Standard Bag Rules

• The Delta baggage overview says that for Delta Comfort and Delta Main customers on domestic flights within the U.S., without a Delta SkyMiles American Express Card, Medallion status, or active-military exception, the first standard checked bag under 50 pounds is $45 each way and the second standard checked bag under 50 pounds is $55 each way, with size not to exceed 62 inches length plus width plus height. Delta’s page adds that lower fees may apply depending on your date of purchase.
• The Delta first-checked-bag page describes the first-bag benefit as saving up to $90 on a round-trip Delta flight per person, with an example of up to $360 per round-trip for a family of four. That page does not print a second-bag dollar savings line.
• The Chase offers page and the Chase product page print an Explorer savings line of up to $50 each way per person and up to $200 per roundtrip.
• The United cardmember bag page prints an Explorer savings line of up to $200 per roundtrip, and shows the second bag at the Standard fee.
• United sets its own checked-bag fees by route, fare and ticket date. Its checked-bag fee calculator shows the amount for your itinerary, and that Standard fee is what the Explorer’s second bag is charged.

The Explorer savings lines (up to $50 each way, up to $200 round trip) are Chase’s and United’s own estimates for the first bag. Delta’s $45 and $55 figures are its fees for Delta Main and Comfort on domestic flights, and its “up to $90 round trip” line is for the first bag. They describe different airlines’ fees, so don’t add them together.

Which Card Fits Which Flyer

• If your flight is operated by United or United Express, only the Explorer’s free bag applies. If it is operated by Delta or Delta Connection and Delta also markets it, only the Delta Gold’s applies.
• Party size: the Explorer covers the primary Cardmember and one companion. The Delta Gold can cover a Basic Card Member and other passengers on the reservation, up to nine waivers, if the Basic Card Member’s SkyMiles number is on the reservation.
• Second bag: only the Delta Gold publishes one, for Basic Card Members on domestic Delta-operated tickets starting June 4, 2026. The United cardmember bag page shows the Explorer second bag at the Standard fee.
• Codeshare flights are excluded on both. Overweight and oversize charges are not waived on either.

TL;DR – Verdict

As of October 4, 2026, neither card is better for every traveler: the United℠ Explorer Card’s free first bag applies only on United and United Express flights, and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card’s applies only on Delta and Delta Connection flights, so the airline you fly most decides which card fits.

Party size is the other difference. Chase says the Explorer covers the primary Cardmember and one same-reservation companion, and United’s page agrees by counting an authorized user as that one companion. Delta’s Gold waiver covers the Basic Card Member and other passengers on the reservation, up to nine waivers. A second free standard bag exists only on the Delta side, for Basic Card Members on domestic Delta-operated tickets starting June 4, 2026.

Before you rely on either benefit, buy the ticket with the card (the Explorer requires it, with the first-90-days exception, and Delta’s and Amex’s pages say “booked with” or paid for with the Card) and put the right loyalty number on the reservation.

Bag benefits, fees, and eligibility can change; check the card issuer’s and the airline’s current pages before you decide.

FAQ

Which card gives a better free checked bag benefit, the United Explorer or the Delta SkyMiles Gold?

As of October 4, 2026, neither is better for every traveler. The Explorer’s free first bag applies on United and United Express flights and covers the primary Cardmember plus one companion. The Delta Gold’s applies on Delta and Delta Connection flights, can cover up to nine passengers on one reservation, and adds a second free bag on domestic flights for Basic Card Members.

How many free bags does the United℠ Explorer Card publish, and for whom?

The published benefit is a first standard checked bag free. The United cardmember bag page shows the second standard checked bag at the Standard fee. The Chase offers page and the Chase product page say the primary Cardmember and one companion on the same reservation. Chase's product-page footnote says the benefit is available on United and United Express operated flights and that authorized users are eligible only if they are on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember. The Chase offers page says authorized users are eligible only on that same reservation. The United cardmember bag page says a guest on the same reservation can also check bags free, and that an authorized user on the same reservation counts as the one eligible companion.

How many free bags does the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card publish, and for whom?

The first-bag waiver is for Basic Card Members and for passengers on the same reservation as the Basic Card Member, with a maximum of nine waivers per reservation, on a Delta-marketed and Delta-operated, or Delta Connection, segment checked in with Delta. The second bag is for Basic Card Members on domestic Delta-operated tickets starting June 4, 2026, once per Eligible Card per direction of travel, not for every passenger on the reservation.

Do codeshare flights qualify?

The Chase offers page says codeshare partner-operated flights are not eligible, and the Delta first-checked-bag page says codeshare flights are not eligible. Neither published benefit covers codeshare partner-operated flights. The United cardmember bag page also says codeshare flights are not eligible. Chase's product-page footnote says the benefit is available on United and United Express operated flights and that authorized users are eligible only if they are on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember. The Chase offers page and the United page also name United and United Express.

Do I have to buy the ticket with the card?

For the Explorer, yes: the Chase offers page, the Chase product page and the United cardmember bag page all say the primary Cardmember buys the ticket with the card and adds a MileagePlus number. All three waive the purchase requirement for flights in the first 90 days after account opening. The Chase offers page words it most strictly (“flights completed during the 90 days following the account open date”) and adds that you should allow 2 weeks after opening for the benefit to be available. For the Delta Gold, Delta’s pages say “booked with your Card” and Amex’s article says you must pay for your airfare with the Card, while the numbered terms state only the SkyMiles-number requirement. Buying with the Card is the safe choice on both.

What do the benefits replace in the standard bag rules?

Delta’s baggage overview prints $45 each way for the first standard checked bag and $55 each way for the second, for Delta Comfort and Delta Main domestic customers without a card, Medallion or active-military exception, under 50 pounds, size not to exceed 62 inches; it adds that lower fees may apply depending on your date of purchase. Delta’s first-checked-bag page prints up to $90 per person round trip and up to $360 per round trip for a family of four. Chase’s pages print up to $50 each way per person and up to $200 round trip for the Explorer’s first bag, and United’s cardmember bag page prints up to $200 round trip. United’s fee calculator shows the standard fee for your itinerary.