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

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a popular choice for many travelers.

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• The card offers a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year before a standard annual fee applies (See Rates & Fees), plus it has no foreign transaction fees.
• You'll earn 2X miles not only on Delta purchases but also at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The free first checked bag benefit can easily offset the annual fee if you fly Delta just a couple of times per year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, and so is the first bag for up to eight companions on your reservation.
• You'll earn bonus miles on everyday purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, not just on Delta flights.
• The TakeOff 15 benefit provides a discount on award flights booked with miles, helping your rewards go further.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel perks like complimentary airport lounge access or credits for expedited security screening programs.
• It doesn't offer top-tier loyalty benefits found on more premium Delta cards, such as a companion certificate or complimentary upgrade priority.
• The rewards earning rate for non-Delta spending is not as competitive as what some other travel cards offer.

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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.}

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

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or Delta SkyMiles Gold, the choice ultimately comes down to your airline loyalty and travel style.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for semi-frequent Southwest flyers looking for day-of-travel perks and a faster path to earning elite status or the coveted Companion Pass.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: This card is ideal for Delta loyalists who fly several times a year and want to enjoy benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points are redeemed for Southwest flights, and the number of points required is directly tied to the fare price, offering a straightforward redemption process.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its extensive network of partner airlines, providing a wide range of travel options.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are great companions for international trips, as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
• Booking & Network Reach: With the Southwest Premier card, you redeem points directly for Southwest flights. The Delta Gold card opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to book award travel not just on Delta but also across its extensive network of partner airlines.
• At the Airport: The Delta SkyMiles Gold card smooths your airport experience with a first checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights (Terms Apply). The Southwest Premier card focuses on perks like anniversary bonus points and statement credits for EarlyBird Check-In.
• Lounge Access: While neither card provides complimentary lounge access, Delta Gold cardholders can pay a fee to enter the Delta Sky Club when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or operated flight.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To simplify the choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of cards by analyzing your unique spending patterns.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate the potential rewards and value of any card using your actual spending data. This feature provides an annual rewards projection and a net value calculation (rewards minus annual fees) without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations and approval odds: Get card recommendations based on your spending history and see a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Exclusive rewards: Members can unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards and earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at certain stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is ideal for semifrequent or regular Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points and value the airline's specific travel perks. As a mid-tier option, it suits travelers who can leverage benefits like the 6,000 anniversary bonus points and two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins without needing the full suite of perks from the top-tier Priority card. According to a comprehensive review, it's best for those with a credit score of 670 or higher who are loyal to Southwest and don't prioritize the flexibility of transferable points.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a strong choice for loyal Delta flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for you and up to eight companions can easily offset the annual fee after just one or two trips per year. Beyond the airport, it also appeals to those who dine out or shop at U.S. supermarkets frequently, thanks to its 2X miles earning rate in those categories. Ultimately, this card is for the ideal cardholder who values both earning miles on everyday spending and redeeming them efficiently with the TakeOff 15 discount, all while enjoying enhanced travel perks like priority boarding.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've weighed the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Gold comparison and neither card feels like the right co-pilot for your travels. Not to worry—plenty of other travel rewards cards are waiting in the wings that might be a better match.

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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 rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review application rules – Issuers like Chase and American Express have restrictions that could affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer through your normal expenses.

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Application Strategy

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• Be mindful of issuer rules – Some issuers have strict application limits, like Chase's 5/24 rule.
• Check welcome offer eligibility – Issuers like American Express may limit you to one welcome offer per card in your lifetime.
• Review co-brand card family rules – Earning a bonus on one card can make you ineligible for another within the same airline or hotel family.

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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Do airline miles or points expire?

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Generally, your points or miles will not expire as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing. However, it's always wise to review the specific loyalty program's terms, as policies can differ and are subject to change.

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

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Yes, both Southwest Rapid Rewards and Delta SkyMiles are transfer partners with major credit card rewards programs. For instance, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to Southwest, while American Express Membership Rewards points can be moved to Delta.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The better card for international travel depends heavily on where you fly, as both airlines have different global footprints. Delta and its SkyTeam alliance partners offer a more extensive network of international destinations, which could give its card an edge for world travelers.

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