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

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express is a top-tier travel card.

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• It offers a suite of premium travel perks, including extensive lounge access and priority services, tailored for frequent Delta flyers.
• While it comes with a significant annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card provides valuable statement credits for rideshare and dining that help offset the cost.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip flight can easily justify the card's cost on its own (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Premium travel perks: The card includes an annual companion certificate valid for domestic travel in First Class, Delta Comfort, or Main Cabin, plus complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® and Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
• Fast-track to elite status: Cardholders get a boost toward Medallion® Status with opportunities to waive spending requirements and earn qualification miles through card spend.
• Valuable travel protections: Comes with a suite of travel insurance benefits, including trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, and car rental coverage.

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Cons

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• High annual fee: The card’s substantial annual fee is best justified by frequent Delta flyers who can maximize its suite of benefits.
• Limited bonus rewards: While great for Delta purchases, the card offers a lower rewards rate on all other spending categories compared to other premium travel cards.
• Restrictive benefits: Many of the card’s most valuable perks are tied specifically to flying with Delta, and the SkyMiles program itself can be less flexible than other reward ecosystems.

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

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, comes down to your airline loyalty and travel style. Each card is designed to reward frequent flyers of its respective airline with a distinct set of perks.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best for dedicated Southwest loyalists who want to maximize airline-specific benefits. It's ideal for travelers pursuing the valuable Companion Pass® or looking to earn elite status faster within the Southwest network.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Aimed at premium travelers who frequently fly Delta, this card is perfect for those who value airport lounge access and want a fast track to Medallion status. It offers the most value to flyers who can leverage its suite of high-end travel benefits.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed for Southwest flights, with the value directly tied to the ticket price. All point redemptions also count toward earning the coveted Companion Pass®, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Miles can be used for flights on Delta and its extensive network of partner airlines. Cardholders can also redeem miles for premium cabin upgrades, exclusive experiences through SkyMiles Experiences, and other travel-related perks.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
  • Travel Portal: Points are redeemed directly through Southwest for flights, with the value tied to the ticket price.
  • Lounge Access: Does not include general airport lounge access but provides four Upgraded Boardings per year, when available.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Travel Portal: Miles can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its extensive network of partner airlines.
  • Lounge Access: Offers complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta. Terms apply.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards and see which one truly maximizes your rewards based on your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your actual spending history to get personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Connect your bank accounts securely to get data-driven card recommendations that match your unique spending patterns.
• Detailed approval odds: Receive a comprehensive analysis of your approval likelihood for various cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for dedicated Southwest Airlines flyers who can fully leverage its suite of premium travel benefits. This ideal cardholder travels with the airline multiple times per year, making it easy to use the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings while earning points toward A-List status or the highly sought-after Companion Pass®. For travelers whose loyalty lies with Southwest for domestic trips or flights to the Caribbean and Mexico, this card provides enough value to easily offset its annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers who want to elevate their travel experience with premium perks. It's particularly valuable for those chasing Medallion status or who frequent airport lounges, as it offers status boosts and access to the Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge, and Escape Lounges when flying Delta. Additionally, travelers who can consistently use the annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort®, or Main Cabin flight will find that this card can easily offset its annual fee.

_{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.}

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the right co-pilot for your travel style, don't fret. Plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards might be a better fit for your wallet.

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_{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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent score to qualify.
• Review issuer application rules - Some issuers limit how many cards you can open or how often you can earn a welcome bonus.
• Plan your spending strategy - Make sure you can meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Apply strategically with each issuer - Issuers like Chase and American Express have unique application rules and welcome offer restrictions.
• Time your application wisely - Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements naturally.
• Choose cards that fit your travel habits - Select airline-specific cards only if you fly that carrier enough to maximize its unique perks.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Which card is better for families?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is often favored by families, largely due to the airline's famous Companion Pass, which allows a designated person to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a more traditional premium travel experience that may appeal to different types of travelers.

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Can I transfer points to Southwest Rapid Rewards or Delta SkyMiles?

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Yes, both programs are transfer partners with major credit card rewards programs. You can transfer points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards® to Southwest Rapid Rewards and from American Express® Membership Rewards® to Delta SkyMiles.

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What are the main differences in airport lounge access?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on a Delta-marketed or operated flight; terms apply. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card does not include complimentary airport lounge access as a cardholder benefit.

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