Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

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• It's the only co-branded Delta card with a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees), making it a risk-free option for occasional travelers.
• You'll earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, which helps you accumulate SkyMiles on both travel and everyday spending.
• With 20% back on in-flight purchases, spending just $50 on snacks and drinks on a Delta flight gets you $10 back as a statement credit (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Your miles won't expire, allowing you to accumulate them over time without pressure.
• You get access to American Express Experiences, which can include presale tickets and preferred seating for select events (Terms Apply).
• The Pay Over Time feature offers payment flexibility for eligible purchases (Terms Apply).

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
• Miles have limited redemption options and can only be used within the Delta SkyMiles program.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Delta SkyMiles® Blue, depends on your personal travel habits and what you value in a card. Each is designed for a different type of flyer, offering distinct benefits tailored to their respective airlines.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for semi-frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points and value day-of-travel benefits. It is a mid-tier option for travelers looking to earn elite status faster or work toward the Companion Pass.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: As an entry-level card, this is ideal for occasional Delta flyers, dining enthusiasts, and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without an annual fee. It's a straightforward way for Delta loyalists to participate in the SkyMiles program.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for Southwest flights, with the redemption value tied directly to the fare price. While other options like gift cards and merchandise exist, they typically provide a lower return on your points.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: SkyMiles offer flexible redemption for flights on Delta and its many partner airlines, as well as for upgrades and vacation packages. The value of miles is dynamic, but they provide access to a wide range of travel and non-travel rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transactions: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier is designed for travel abroad, as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, however, does include a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for international spending.
• Airline Network: Your travel map is significantly different with each card. The Delta card opens up a vast global network through Delta and its SkyTeam partners, while the Southwest card's ecosystem is concentrated on the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
• Airport Lounges: If you're looking for a quiet airport retreat, neither card will get you in the door. Complimentary lounge access is a premium perk not offered by the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the entry-level Delta SkyMiles® Blue card.
• In-Flight Benefits: The Delta card offers a 20% statement credit back on eligible in-flight purchases of food and drinks. Terms apply. The Southwest card provides two EarlyBird Check-In® vouchers annually, improving your boarding position.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a financial companion like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test Drive Cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual transaction history, all without a hard credit pull or commitment.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of being approved for different cards.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of applying, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular card points when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized Recommendations: Receive data-driven card suggestions tailored to your unique spending habits.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semi-frequent Southwest flyers who find themselves in a sweet spot, wanting more perks than an entry-level card without committing to the highest annual fee. It's a solid choice for travelers who value day-of-travel benefits like EarlyBird Check-In and priority boarding but don't fly enough to justify the top-tier card's premium cost. Additionally, it's a strategic tool for those aiming to earn A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass, making this mid-tier option a stepping stone to greater rewards.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It particularly suits budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts who can take advantage of earning 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and on Delta purchases, all while avoiding foreign transaction fees on international trips. As an entry-level card in the SkyMiles program, it's a great way to test the waters, though it lacks premium perks like free checked bags found on higher-tier cards, according to a Kudos review.

_{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.}

Alternatives to Consider

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So you've reviewed the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison and decided neither card is for you. That's perfectly fine, as there are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your wallet.

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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 travel cards require good to excellent credit to qualify.
• Review application rules - Issuers like Chase and American Express have restrictions on new card approvals.
• Confirm your bonus eligibility - You may not be eligible for a welcome offer if you have or recently had the same card.

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Application Strategy

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• Know issuer rules - Be mindful of restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule before applying.
• Time large purchases - Apply when you have a big expense planned to help meet the welcome offer spend.
• Try different methods - If you don't see the best offer, try searching in a private browser or on a different device.

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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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card has no annual fee.

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Do these cards charge foreign transaction fees?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, however, does have foreign transaction fees.

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How do I earn rewards with each card?

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With the Southwest card, you earn Rapid Rewards points on all purchases, with accelerated earnings on Southwest flights. The Delta card earns SkyMiles on all purchases, with higher rates on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide.

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Are these cards good for earning elite status?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card helps you earn A-List status by providing 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $10,000 spent. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not offer a way to earn Medallion elite status through card spending.

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