Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1010", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Popular Choice" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a popular choice for many travelers.

‍

• It features a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150, and has no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
• You can earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The free checked bag benefit for you and up to eight companions can easily offset the annual fee, with a family of four potentially saving hundreds on just one roundtrip flight (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Enjoy valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, which can significantly enhance your travel experience.
• Accelerated rewards earning on everyday purchases like dining and groceries, plus flexible redemption options including a discount on award flights.
• Travel with peace of mind thanks to included benefits like car rental insurance, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Cons

‍

• Lacks premium travel benefits like complimentary lounge access or a companion certificate, which are reserved for more expensive Delta cards.
• The rewards rate on everyday spending isn't as competitive as what some other general travel cards offer.
• Infrequent Delta flyers may find it difficult to justify the annual fee, as many key benefits are tied directly to flying with the airline.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or the Delta SkyMiles® Gold, comes down to your specific travel habits and which airline you fly most.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers and loyalists, especially those looking to earn the Companion Pass. It's also a strong choice for families and domestic travelers who primarily use the airline's routes.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is designed for frequent travelers loyal to Delta who fly several times a year and value perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. It also suits those who dine out often and want to save on award flights.

‍

Redemption

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority: Points are redeemed for Southwest flights, with the point value directly tied to the ticket price, making redemption simple and transparent. You can also use points for other travel options like hotels and car rentals through the airline's portal.

‍

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express: SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its extensive network of partner airlines, offering broad global reach. Cardmembers also have the flexibility to use miles to reduce the cash cost of eligible flights. Terms Apply.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Travelers can spend abroad without worry, as neither card imposes a foreign transaction fee.
• At the airport, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold card provides a free first checked bag and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. Terms Apply. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card counters with four Upgraded Boardings per year where available, a valuable perk since Southwest already provides two free checked bags for all flyers.
• Once in the air, both cards offer savings on in-flight purchases like food and drinks, credited back to your statement.
• The Southwest card includes an annual travel credit. The Delta card offers a flight credit after reaching a spending requirement and provides access to Delta Sky Club lounges for a fee. Terms Apply.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending data for a truly personalized recommendation.

‍

• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s standout “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate your potential earnings with any card based on your actual spending history—no application or credit pull required.
• Personalized Matches: Get matched with new credit cards based on your unique spending patterns, not generic advice.
• Maximize Rewards: Kudos helps you use the optimal card for every purchase and offers extra Kudos Boost rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Track Everything: Monitor your transactions, spending habits, and credit score all in one place to stay on top of your finances.
• Exclusive Offers: Gain access to special bonuses, including a welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyal Southwest flyers who travel with the airline several times a year. Its value shines for those aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass® or achieve A-List status, as the card's perks and spending bonuses accelerate progress toward both goals. It's an ideal choice for domestic travelers and families who can fully leverage the annual travel credit, upgraded boardings, and anniversary points to more than offset the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express card is an excellent choice for Delta loyalists who fly several times a year, as the free checked bag benefit alone can easily offset the annual fee. It also appeals to frequent diners and travelers looking to redeem miles, offering 2X miles at restaurants and a 15% discount on award flights with the TakeOff 15 benefit. As this comprehensive review explains, the card is ultimately ideal for casual Delta flyers who want to improve their travel experience with perks like priority boarding without paying for a premium card.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Delta SkyMiles Gold comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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, as most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer-specific application rules, as you may not be eligible for a welcome offer if you have held the card before.
• Be aware that some card benefits, like Amex Offers or DoorDash DashPass, may require separate enrollment to activate.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Align your choice with your travel habits, as co-branded airline cards offer the most value to frequent flyers of that airline.
• Have a redemption goal in mind before you apply to ensure the card’s rewards ecosystem fits your long-term plans.

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

‍

Which card is better for international travel?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles Gold card is generally the better option for international travel because of Delta's extensive global network and airline partnerships. Southwest Airlines primarily operates flights within North America and the Caribbean.

‍

Do the points or miles from these cards expire?

‍

Neither Southwest Rapid Rewards points nor Delta SkyMiles expire. This provides you with the flexibility to save your rewards for a significant redemption without the pressure of a deadline.

‍

Which card offers better airport lounge access?

‍

Neither card includes complimentary lounge access as a standard benefit. However, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card provides up to four Upgraded Boardings per year when available, and the Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers pay-per-visit access to the Delta Sky Club.

‍