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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best for frequent Southwest flyers looking to maximize rewards and benefits on their flights.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is ideal for earning Delta SkyMiles on travel and dining without paying an annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a top choice for frequent flyers of the airline.
- It comes loaded with valuable perks that enhance the travel experience, including upgraded boardings and discounts on inflight purchases.
- While the card carries an annual fee, its rewards structure is generous, offering bonus points on all Southwest purchases and on everyday spending categories like groceries and dining.
- Factoring in the annual Southwest travel credit and the value of the anniversary bonus points, the card's effective annual cost is significantly reduced (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers a suite of travel perks designed for Southwest flyers, including upgraded boardings and discounts on inflight purchases.
- All points earned with the card, including from the welcome bonus and everyday spending, count toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®.
- Cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees and flexible point redemptions with no blackout dates on Southwest flights.
Cons
- Its value is significantly diminished for travelers who do not fly with Southwest on a regular basis.
- The rewards program lacks flexibility, as points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights and cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel partners.
- It lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access, a common feature on other travel cards with a comparable annual fee.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid choice for certain travelers.
- This card is a great entry point into travel rewards since it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
- You'll earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants, making it easy to accumulate SkyMiles on common spending categories.
- With 20% back on in-flight Delta purchases, spending $100 on food and beverages during your flights gets you a $20 statement credit (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- As the only Delta co-branded card with no annual fee, it's a great entry-level option for earning miles that don't expire (Terms apply).
- You'll earn bonus miles on dining worldwide and eligible Delta purchases, and you won't be charged foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad (Terms apply).
Cons
- It lacks many of the premium travel benefits found on other airline cards, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access.
- The rewards earning potential is limited on everyday spending, and miles are primarily redeemable within the Delta SkyMiles program.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Delta SkyMiles Blue, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is built for frequent Southwest flyers and brand loyalists. It's particularly useful for travelers looking to earn elite status or the coveted Companion Pass®.
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is an excellent entry-level option for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without an annual commitment. It also appeals to dining enthusiasts who want to earn rewards on restaurant purchases.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for Southwest flights, but can also be used for international travel with partner airlines, hotel stays, rental cars, and gift cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Miles can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partners, used for seat upgrades, or applied to reduce the cost of eligible Delta flights with the Pay with Miles feature.
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.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a better choice for international travel. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, however, does charge a fee for transactions made abroad.
- In-Flight Perks: Cardholders receive a percentage back on in-flight purchases with both cards—on Southwest flights for the Priority card and on Delta flights for the Blue card. The Southwest card also includes a number of Upgraded Boardings per year, when available. Terms apply for the Delta card's in-flight benefit.
- Airport Lounge Access: Neither of these cards includes complimentary access to airport lounges, a perk typically reserved for more premium travel cards.
- Booking Flexibility: While Southwest points are most valuable for the airline's own flights, they can also be redeemed for international travel, hotels, and car rentals through a dedicated portal. Delta miles offer broader airline flexibility, redeemable for flights with Delta and its large network of global airline partners.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using data-driven insights from an exhaustive evaluation of nearly 3,000 credit cards.
- Test Drive Cards: The platform’s Test Drive feature lets you simulate potential earnings from a new card based on your real spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
- Stack Rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost on top of what you already earn from your credit card when shopping at participating stores.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of applying through Kudos, the platform will match it.
- Personalized Recommendations: Get card suggestions tailored to your actual spending habits, helping you find the best fit for your wallet.
- Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its suite of benefits, such as the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also an excellent tool for loyal customers aiming to accelerate their journey to A-List status or earn the highly sought-after Companion Pass® through credit card spending. Ultimately, this card delivers the most value to domestic travelers and families who consistently choose Southwest for their journeys within its extensive network.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without the commitment of an annual fee, as noted in a recent card review. It particularly suits budget-conscious travelers and dining enthusiasts who can maximize the 2x miles on restaurants, as well as international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, it serves as a perfect entry-level option for those new to the SkyMiles program who don't require premium perks like lounge access or free checked bags.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs. Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison didn't help you find a winner, don't sweat it. Let's explore a few other travel credit cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.
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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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score since a good to excellent score is typically required for approval.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
- Confirm your eligibility for the welcome offer, as issuers have restrictions based on your card history.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules, like Chase's 5/24, to understand your eligibility.
- Pick a card that fits your lifestyle, whether you're a frequent flyer or a dining enthusiast.
- Time your application to align with big 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
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card comes with an annual fee in exchange for its premium perks, while the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is known for having no annual fee. Always check the issuer's current terms for the most up-to-date fee information.
Do these cards help with earning airline elite status?
Yes, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card can give you a leg up on earning A-List status with its tier qualifying points. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card, on the other hand, does not offer a boost toward Medallion Status.
Which card is better for international travel?
For globetrotters, the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card is generally more useful due to Delta's extensive international route network. Southwest's network is more focused on the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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