Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
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 telecom.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
American Express
Chase
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Tv | 1X | 2X |
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card wins in 4 of 5 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card leads in 1.
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Telecom
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Cable Tv
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Utilities
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Gas Stations
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
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 |
|---|
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.
| Dining |
| 2X |
| 2X |
| Gas Stations | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Telecom | 1X | 2X |
| Utilities | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
| 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): $23 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: -$19 Year one: $732 | 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): $23 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: $544 Year one: $1,294 | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
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 telecom and cable tv and everyday spend.
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; data as of September 27, 2026. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.
