Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a closer look at why the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card stands out to us.

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• Cardholders can earn accelerated miles on common travel and everyday spending categories like Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets.
• Despite its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers valuable travel perks like a first checked bag free and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight can easily offset the card's annual fee, especially for those who travel with a companion (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• The annual companion certificate, valid for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight, can provide significant value each year you renew the card.
• Cardholders receive a suite of travel benefits, including a first checked bag free on Delta flights, priority boarding, and a fee credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
• Earn miles at an accelerated rate on travel and everyday purchases, and take advantage of annual statement credits for select rideshare and dining services.

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Cons

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• The card comes with a significant annual fee and does not include complimentary Delta Sky Club® access.
• Its benefits are heavily focused on Delta, making the card less flexible for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• The annual companion certificate is restricted to domestic main cabin flights, limiting its use for international or premium cabin travel.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding between airline-specific credit cards often comes down to your travel habits. To determine which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, it's essential to look at who each card is designed for.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: While categorized for frequent travelers, this card is best suited for budget-conscious individuals and families who fly Southwest a few times a year. It serves as an accessible entry point into the airline's rewards ecosystem.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Also built for frequent travelers, this mid-tier card is ideal for loyal Delta flyers looking to accelerate their path to elite status. It offers significant value for those who travel with a companion.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for Southwest flights, with the number of points needed directly corresponding to the ticket price. While other redemption options are available, using points for flights generally provides the best value.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Miles can be used for flights with Delta and its partner airlines, providing a wide range of domestic and international travel possibilities. Cardholders can also redeem miles for seat upgrades, vacation packages, and other exclusive experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Companion Travel: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card helps you earn toward the Southwest Companion Pass®, which allows a designated companion to fly for just the cost of taxes and fees. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card provides an annual Companion Certificate for a domestic Main Cabin round-trip flight upon renewal (Terms Apply).
• Airport Benefits: With the Southwest Plus Card, you get two EarlyBird Check-In® credits each year. The Delta Platinum Card offers a first checked bag free, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and the option to purchase Delta Sky Club® access (Terms Apply).
• International Travel: The Delta Platinum Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for use abroad. The Southwest Plus Card, however, does charge a foreign transaction fee.
• Annual Bonuses & Status: The Southwest Plus Card provides anniversary bonus points each year. The Delta Platinum Card offers its Companion Certificate and the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward elite status through its Status Boost® feature after you meet certain spending thresholds (Terms Apply).

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To simplify the choice, a tool like Kudos allows you to compare thousands of cards using your real spending data, eliminating the guesswork.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual transaction history.
• Personalized recommendations: Find the best card for your unique spending habits instead of relying on generic advice.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer tracking: Monitor your progress toward earning a new card’s welcome offer for free.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a great fit for budget-conscious travelers who are loyal to Southwest but don't fly often enough to justify a premium card's higher annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass® or for credit card beginners seeking an affordable entry into travel rewards. As detailed in a complete 2025 guide, this card serves as an excellent starting point for maximizing rewards within the Southwest ecosystem without a hefty financial commitment.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is primarily designed for frequent Delta flyers and brand loyalists who can maximize its airline-specific perks. It's also an excellent choice for travelers seeking to accelerate their path to Medallion status or those who travel with a partner, thanks to its valuable annual companion certificate (Terms Apply). According to a Kudos review, the card best suits moderate-to-heavy spenders with good-to-excellent credit who can take full advantage of its benefits.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison is a close one, but what if neither card is a winner for you? If you're looking for different perks or airline loyalty, here are a few other top travel rewards cards to consider.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement without overspending.
• Know your travel goals - Align the card’s benefits, like companion passes or status boosts, with how you actually travel.

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Application Strategy

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• Be aware of issuer rules - Issuers like Chase and American Express have specific guidelines regarding card approvals and welcome offer eligibility.
• Leverage existing relationships - A positive history with the card issuer may be a factor in their decision.
• Time your application - Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet the spending requirement organically.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the Southwest Companion Pass the same as the Delta Companion Certificate?

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No, they are very different benefits. The Southwest Companion Pass allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees on an unlimited number of flights after you earn it, while the Delta Companion Certificate is a once-per-year benefit for a single round-trip flight. Terms apply to the Delta Companion Certificate benefit.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card is generally superior for international travel due to Delta's extensive global network and its SkyTeam alliance partners. Southwest Airlines primarily serves destinations within North America and the Caribbean.

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Can I transfer points from these cards to other loyalty programs?

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Delta SkyMiles cannot be transferred out to other airline or hotel partners, though you can book flights on partner airlines through Delta. Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be transferred to some hotel partners, but this often provides poor value due to unfavorable transfer ratios.

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