Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Annual fees: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card $150/yr, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card $229/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card on dining, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card on dining.
Card data as of November 13, 2026.
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
American Express · $150/yr
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardChase · $229/yr
Overview
- Annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card$150LowestWaived first yearSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card$229
- Welcome offerCurrent public offer
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardAs high as 80,000 miles — offers varySouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card60,000 points
- Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardDelta SkyMilesSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards
- Foreign transaction fee
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardNoneSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardNone
- Network
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardAmerican ExpressSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardVisa Signature
Earn ratesPer $1 spent
- Dining
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card2xSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card2x
- Gas Stations
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card1xSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card2xHighest
- Grocery Stores
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card2xHighestSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card1x
- Everything else
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card1xSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card1x
Statement creditsAs the issuer states them · — means none on record
- Travel
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- $200 Delta flight credit
- $100 Delta Stays
- 20% inflight purchases · $20 per transaction
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Rideshare & transit
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- $10/mo rideshare · $10 monthly
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Dining & delivery
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card—Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
- $10/mo Instacart+
- DoorDash DashPass · $10 monthly
Perks & access— means none on record
- Airline perks
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- First checked bag free for cardholder plus 8 companions
- Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- Unlimited Extra Legroom seat upgrades
- 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points
- Free Preferred or Standard seat selection at booking
- Free first checked bag for you and 8 companions
- Boarding benefit
- Inflight purchase discount
- Other perks
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Amex Offers
- Early access to concerts and events
- 24/7 global travel assistance
- TakeOff 15
- No foreign transaction fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- No foreign transaction fees
- 7,500 points every year
Protections & insuranceLimits where published · — means none on record
- Trip insurance
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card—Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
- $500,000 travel accident insurance
- Baggage
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Baggage insurance up to $1,250 for carry-on items
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- Up to $3,000 lost luggage coverage per trip
- $100/day baggage delay coverage, up to 3 days · up to $300
- Rental car
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Secondary car rental insurance coverage
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Purchase & returns
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Purchase protection for new items
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- $500 per claim on theft or damage
- Extended warranty
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Extended warranty adds 1 year to manufacturer warranty
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- Extended warranty adds up to 1 year
- Other protections
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Zero liability protection on fraudulent charges
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency assistance
- 24/7 roadside dispatch assistance (pay-per-use)
Pros & cons
- Pros
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- First checked bag free for you + 8 companions; second checked bag free on domestic Delta flights
- Priority boarding in Main Cabin 1
- $120 rideshare credit ($10/month after first renewal; enrollment required)
- 2X miles on Delta, restaurants, and supermarkets
- No foreign transaction fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost every year accelerates path to free companion flights
- 7,500 anniversary bonus points ($112+ value) help offset the annual fee
- Earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status per $5K annual spend
- Unlimited Extra Legroom seat upgrades at 48 hours when available
- Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 passengers on same reservation
- Cons
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- $150 annual fee after first year ($0 intro year)
- No companion certificate included
- No Delta Sky Club access
- Only 1X on most purchases
- SkyMiles have variable redemption value
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- $229 annual fee is steep compared to mid-tier airline cards
- Legacy $75 travel credit and EarlyBird benefits ended December 2025
- Only 1x points on non-category purchases limits everyday earning
- No lounge access included despite premium pricing
- Southwest's limited route network reduces card utility for some travelers
Expert Analysis
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card are two of the most popular cards in their category, and choosing between them comes down to which rewards structure better matches your spending. Both deliver strong value, but in meaningfully different ways.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's strongest category is Delta Purchases at 2X, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card leads with 3X on Southwest Purchases. Overall, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card wins in more bonus categories (4 vs 3) — so the better choice depends on where you spend the most.
At $150/yr vs $229/yr, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the more accessible option. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card needs to deliver at least $79 in annual value through its premium benefits to justify the gap. It offers free checked bags, which can cover that gap for active users.
Key Differences
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X on Delta Purchases vs 1X for the other
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X on Delta Airlines vs 1X for the other
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X on Grocery Stores vs 1X for the other
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card costs $150/yr vs $229/yr — a $79 annual gap
- Different networks: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is AMEX, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is VISA
Spending Scenarios
Which card wins in real-world spending situations?
$200/month on delta purchases
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 4,800 vs 2,400 points — a 2,400-point advantage.
$200/month on delta airlines
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 4,800 vs 2,400 points — a 2,400-point advantage.
$200/month on southwest purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on rapid rewards partners
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 4,800 vs 2,400 points — a 2,400-point advantage.
Mixed everyday spending, 2 trips/year
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express CardWithout heavy spending in the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card's premium categories, the $79 fee difference is hard to recover. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card delivers better overall value for moderate spenders.
Who Should Get Which?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if:
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and keeping annual costs low. At $150/yr, it delivers solid return on the annual fee investment for its target audience.
Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card if:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on southwest purchases and rapid rewards partners. At $229/yr, it delivers solid return on the annual fee investment for its target audience.
Upgrade & Downgrade Path
These cards are from different issuers, so switching between them requires a new application. Many rewards enthusiasts hold both to maximize earn rates across different spending categories — the annual fee total may be worth it if you're actively using both cards' bonus categories.
Consider which card's rewards ecosystem better fits your redemption goals. Cash back simplicity has its own appeal if you prefer straightforward rewards.
Category-by-Category Winner
Both cards win in 1 categories each — it comes down to which categories matter most to you.
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Gas Stations
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Year One vs Ongoing Value
Modeled net value (bonus categories at unconditional rates, caps applied). Spend mix: dining 15%, groceries 15%, gas 10%, travel 10%, everything else 50%. Statement credits use the same recurring usable estimates as each card's detail page; first-year-only credits count in year one only. Welcome offers valued at each card's program rate shown on this page.
Ongoing value favors the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card; year-one value favors the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.
| Scenario | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $187 Credits (our usable estimate): $182 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $219 Year one: $369 | Rewards: $188 Credits (our usable estimate): $75 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: $34 Year one: $784 | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $749 Credits (our usable estimate): $182 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $781 Year one: $931 | Rewards: $750 Credits (our usable estimate): $75 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: $596 Year one: $1,346 | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
Is the Fee Difference Worth It?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card costs $229/yr — that's $79 more than the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $79 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card includes dining credits, free checked bags. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $79 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $79 fee gap means the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card needs roughly $79 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on dining and gas stations and everyday spend.
Which Card Is Right for You?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
- +Do most of your spending at grocery stores
The Bottom Line
Ongoing value favors the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card; year-one value favors the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.
Published annual fees: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card $150/yr, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card $229/yr — a $79 difference before welcome offers and credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card worth the higher annual fee?
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card costs $229/yr vs $150/yr for the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. Compare the year-one vs ongoing value table on this page — the $79 gap must be offset by higher earn rates, welcome offers, or credits you will use (the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card also lists dining credits).
- Which card earns more rewards, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card?
- Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
- What benefits does the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card have that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card doesn't?
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers travel credits. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers dining credits.
- Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card?
- Use the spend scenarios on this page: the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a lower $150/yr fee; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card must earn enough extra (or offer a larger welcome bonus) to justify $229/yr.
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Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published November 13, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.