Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
No annual fee
vs
$350
Base Rewards
1.5%
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$200
vs
$900
Editor Score
8/10
vs
8/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 4/6 | 2/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | No annual fee★ Lowest | $350✗ Highest |
| Purchase APR | 20.49% – 29.24% | 21.49% – 30.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | 0% · 15 mo | |
| Foreign Txn Fee | 3%✗ Highest | None★ Lowest |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% | 3% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Cashback | Miles |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1.5%★ Highest | 1x✗ Lowest |
| Bonus Categories | 5% Travel (Chase) · 3% Dining · 3% Drugstores | 3x Delta Purchases · 2x Restaurants · 2x Supermarkets |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 value✗ Lowest | $900 value★ Highest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Good (670-749) | Excellent (750+) |
| Network | Visa | American Express |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Everyday spending with no annual fee | Frequent Delta flyers who travel with a companion |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.6 / 5★ Highest | 4.2 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 8 / 10★ Highest | 8 / 10 |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our verdict: Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee) and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card ($350/year) compete on different axes. The Chase Freedom Unlimited's strongest category is 5% on Travel (Chase), while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card leads with 3x on Delta Purchases. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $350 more per year, so you need at least $350 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Chase Freedom Unlimited. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $10,500 and $21,000 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our scoring model gives the edge to the Chase Freedom Unlimited — it leads on 4 of the 6 key dimensions we evaluate. That said, this ranking is algorithmic; your specific spending pattern can flip the answer.
Leads on 4 of 6 key comparison dimensions
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | no annual fee | $350/year |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.5% on everything | 1x on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 5% on Travel (Chase) | 3x on Delta Purchases |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $200 after spending $500 in 3 months | 90,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in 6 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% | 0% (none) |
| Credit Score Required | good | excellent |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
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Common Questions
Which is better: Chase Freedom Unlimited or Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
It depends on your spending habits. The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee and earns 1.5% base rewards. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a $350 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between Chase Freedom Unlimited and Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a $350 annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $350 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (Chase and American Express), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.