Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Annual fees: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card $350/yr, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card $229/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card on hotels, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card on dining.
Card data as of November 13, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican Express · $350/yr
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardChase · $229/yr
Overview
- Annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card$350Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card$229Lowest
- Welcome offerCurrent public offer
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAs high as 90,000 miles — offers varySouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card60,000 points
- Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMilesSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards
- Foreign transaction fee
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardNoneSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardNone
- Network
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican ExpressSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardVisa Signature
Earn ratesPer $1 spent
- Hotels
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card3xHighestSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card1x
- Dining
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card2xSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card2x
- Gas Stations
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1xSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card2xHighest
- Grocery Stores
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card2xHighestSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card1x
- Everything else
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card1xSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card1x
Statement creditsAs the issuer states them · — means none on record
- Travel
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $150 Delta stays credit
- $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
- 20% back Delta in-flight · $20 per transaction
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Rideshare & transit
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $10/mo rideshare · $10 monthly
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Dining & delivery
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- $10/mo Resy · $10 monthly
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- $10/mo Instacart+
- DoorDash DashPass · $10 monthly
Perks & access— means none on record
- Airline perks
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Annual companion certificate for domestic Main Cabin flights
- First checked bag free for cardholder plus 8 companions
- Zone 5 Priority Boarding for you and 8 companions
- Complimentary Upgrade List
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 Platinum American Express Card
- Amex Offers
- MQD Headstart and MQD Boost
- 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 Platinum American Express Card
- Trip delay coverage up to $300 after 12 hours
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- $500,000 travel accident insurance
- Baggage
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum 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 Platinum American Express Card
- Car rental insurance up to $50,000
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Purchase & returns
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Purchase protection up to $1,000 per occurrence
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- $500 per claim on theft or damage
- Extended warranty
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Extended warranty adds 1 year to manufacturer warranty
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card- Extended warranty adds up to 1 year
- Cell phone
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card— - Other protections
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum 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 Platinum American Express Card
- Annual Companion Certificate after card renewal (companion pays only taxes/fees on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central America)
- MQD Headstart ($2,500 a year) plus $1 MQD per $20 spent
- Free first checked bag for cardholder plus up to 8 companions on same reservation; second bag free on domestic flights
- Strong 2x earning on restaurants, hotels, and U.S. supermarkets
- Boosted upgrade priority to First Class and Delta One
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 Platinum American Express Card
- $350 annual fee is substantial if not utilizing premium benefits
- Companion Certificate arrives only after the first card renewal
- No lounge access included (must upgrade to Reserve)
- Miles are locked to Delta SkyMiles program with limited transfer options
- Amex cards are accepted at fewer merchants abroad than Visa or Mastercard
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 Platinum 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 Platinum American Express Card's strongest category is Delta Purchases at 3X, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card leads with 3X on Southwest Purchases. Neither card dominates across the board — so the better choice depends on where you spend the most.
At $229/yr vs $350/yr, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the more accessible option. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card needs to deliver at least $121 in annual value through its premium benefits to justify the gap. It offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags, which can cover that gap for active users.
Key Differences
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X on Delta Purchases vs 1X for the other
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X on Delta Airlines vs 1X for the other
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 2X on Hotels vs 1X for the other
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card costs $229/yr vs $350/yr — a $121 annual gap
- Only the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- Different networks: Delta SkyMiles Platinum 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 Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-point advantage.
$200/month on delta airlines
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X. Over a year, that's 7,200 vs 2,400 points — a 4,800-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
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardWithout heavy spending in the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card's premium categories, the $121 fee difference is hard to recover. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card delivers better overall value for moderate spenders.
Who Should Get Which?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if:
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is ideal for cardholders who prioritize spending heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and maximizing premium card benefits. At $350/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 and keeping annual costs low. 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
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card wins in 2 of 3 categories. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card leads in 1.
Hotels
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Platinum 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.
Close — depends on how much of the credits you use
| Scenario | Delta SkyMiles Platinum 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): $172 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $9 Year one: $9 | Rewards: $188 Credits (our usable estimate): $75 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: $34 Year one: $784 | Close — depends on how much of the credits you use | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $749 Credits (our usable estimate): $172 − Annual fee ($350) Ongoing: $571 Year one: $571 | Rewards: $750 Credits (our usable estimate): $75 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: $596 Year one: $1,346 | Close — depends on how much of the credits you use | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
Is the Fee Difference Worth It?
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $350/yr — that's $121 more than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card ($229/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $121 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card includes travel credits, dining credits, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. Those perks are not included in the earn-rate scenario table above — compare their dollar value to the $121 fee gap for your own usage.
Bottom line: Use the year-one vs ongoing table for modeled earn value at your spend level. The $121 fee gap means the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card needs roughly $121 more in annual rewards (or credits you will use) to break even on hotels and dining and everyday spend.
What You Give Up
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card means losing:
- -Global Entry credit
Which Card Is Right for You?
Get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if you:
- +Do most of your spending at grocery stores
The Bottom Line
Close — depends on how much of the credits you use
Published annual fees: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card $350/yr, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card $229/yr — a $121 difference before welcome offers and credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card worth the higher annual fee?
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $350/yr vs $229/yr for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. Compare the year-one vs ongoing value table on this page — the $121 gap must be offset by higher earn rates, welcome offers, or credits you will use (the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card also lists travel credits, dining credits).
- Which card earns more rewards, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum 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 Platinum American Express Card have that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card doesn't?
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers travel credits, dining credits, cell phone protection. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers dining credits.
- Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card?
- Use the spend scenarios on this page: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card has a lower $229/yr fee; the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card must earn enough extra (or offer a larger welcome bonus) to justify $350/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.