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

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "781", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Most Premium Delta Offer"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express is a top-tier travel card.

‍

• Cardholders get premium lounge access, including to the Delta Sky Club® and Centurion® Lounges when flying with Delta.
• While it comes with a significant annual fee (See Rates & Fees), valuable statement credits for rideshare and dining help offset the cost.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip flight can easily offset the card's annual fee in a single use (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.}

‍

Pros

‍

• Access to a wide network of airport lounges, including Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge, when you fly with Delta.
• Receive an annual companion certificate each year upon renewal, good for a domestic round-trip flight in premium or main cabin classes.
• A fast track to Medallion® status through spending-based waivers and boosts, plus complimentary upgrade priority.

‍

Cons

‍

• A high annual fee that may only be justifiable for the most frequent Delta flyers.
• Limited bonus categories for non-Delta purchases and an unpredictable redemption value for SkyMiles®.
• Benefits are heavily focused on Delta, offering less value if you fly with multiple airlines.

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

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, ultimately depends on your personal travel habits and airline loyalty. These cards are designed for two very different types of travelers, each with its own set of benefits tailored to a specific flying style.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is ideal for budget-conscious or occasional Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points toward flights and the Companion Pass without a premium card's commitment.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is built for frequent Delta flyers who value premium perks like airport lounge access and want a clear path to achieving or maintaining Medallion elite status.

‍

Redemption

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed for Southwest flights, and the number of points needed is directly tied to the cash price of the ticket, making redemption straightforward.

‍

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Miles can be used for flights on Delta and its extensive network of partner airlines, as well as for seat upgrades and other premium travel experiences.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The travel ecosystem is centered exclusively on Southwest Airlines. While the card has no foreign transaction fees, it does not offer airport lounge access, keeping the focus on earning and redeeming points for Southwest flights.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card unlocks a premium travel ecosystem. Card Members receive complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club and can access The Centurion® Lounge when flying Delta. It also has no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to use miles extends beyond just Delta to its large network of partner airlines. Terms apply to benefits.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

If you’re still unsure which card is right for you, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data to make a confident decision.

‍

• Test Drive Cards: See exactly how much a new card could earn you based on your actual spending history—before you ever apply.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed breakdown of your chances of getting approved for a card, based on your credit report.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
• Exclusive Rewards: Unlock perks like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select cards and earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost when you shop.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those looking to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points—including the welcome bonus and anniversary points—count toward qualification. Overall, it serves as a great entry point for Southwest loyalists or beginners who value straightforward benefits like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits, as detailed in this complete 2025 guide.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card is primarily designed for loyal, frequent Delta flyers who take several trips a year. It's also an excellent tool for travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status and those who highly value premium airport experiences like access to the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges. Furthermore, individuals, couples, or friends who can consistently leverage the annual companion certificate for a first-class or comfort-plus domestic trip will find this card’s benefits to be particularly rewarding; terms apply.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If neither card in our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison feels like the right fit, other travel cards may better suit your needs. Here are a few alternatives to consider.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement through your normal expenses.
• Review issuer eligibility rules - Many issuers have restrictions on earning a welcome offer if you've had the card before.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Consider your issuer relationship - An existing history with a bank can sometimes improve your approval odds.
• Know the card's target audience - Premium cards often have stricter credit requirements than entry-level options.
• Have a long-term plan - Consider how the card fits your goals, like earning a Southwest Companion Pass.

Our Methodology

‍

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.

‍

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

‍

Is the Southwest Companion Pass worth it?

‍

The Southwest Companion Pass can be extremely valuable if you frequently travel with another person, as it allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.

‍

What are the main premium perks of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card's standout benefits include complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion Lounge when flying Delta, plus an annual companion certificate.

‍

Can I transfer my credit card points to Southwest or Delta?

‍

Yes, both airlines are transfer partners with major credit card rewards programs. Southwest Rapid Rewards is a partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, while Delta SkyMiles partners with American Express Membership Rewards.

‍

Which card is better for airport lounge access?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is the clear winner for lounge access, offering entry to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges, a benefit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card does not include.

‍