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: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card $229/yr, United Explorer Card $150/yr. Strongest bonus categories: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card on telecom, United Explorer Card on dining.
Card data as of September 27, 2026.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Tv | 2X | 1X |
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card wins in 4 of 5 categories. The United Explorer Card leads in 1.
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
Hotels
United Explorer 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.
Both scenarios favor the United Explorer Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
| Scenario | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | United Explorer Card | Ongoing winner | Year-one winner |
|---|
Both scenarios favor the United Explorer Card on net value (rewards, usable credits, fees, and welcome offer).
Published annual fees: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card $229/yr, United Explorer Card $150/yr — a $79 difference before welcome offers and credits.
| Dining |
| 2X |
| 2X |
| Gas Stations | 2X | 1X |
| Hotels | 1X | 2X |
| Telecom | 2X | 1X |
| Utilities | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
| Light spender: $1,000/month | Rewards: $188 Credits (our usable estimate): $23 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: -$19 Year one: $732 | Rewards: $166 Credits (our usable estimate): $212 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $228 Year one: $978 | United Explorer Card | United Explorer Card |
| Heavy spender: $4,000/month | Rewards: $750 Credits (our usable estimate): $23 − Annual fee ($229) Ongoing: $544 Year one: $1,294 | Rewards: $662 Credits (our usable estimate): $212 − Annual fee ($150) Ongoing: $724 Year one: $1,474 | United Explorer Card | United Explorer Card |
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card costs $229/yr — that's $79 more than the United Explorer 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.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card means losing:
Get the United Explorer 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.
