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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

Both are travel travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier from Chase at $149/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Annual fee$0$149
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles55,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$110-
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$1,500 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressChase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 3x on Southwest
  • 6k anniversary points
  • Free first checked bag
  • 15% anniversary promo code
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
$149/yr · 55,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

The entry-level Delta card with no annual fee. Useful for keeping SkyMiles alive at $0/year and locking in 20% off in-flight Delta purchases plus no FX fees. For anyone flying Delta even one round trip a year, the $150 Gold's first-bag-free benefit usually justifies the upgrade.

Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

The middle tier of the Southwest portfolio after the 2025 refresh. Doubles the anniversary points and bumps the promo code from 10% to 15% vs Plus. Sweet spot for occasional Southwest flyers who don't need the Priority card's $75 travel credit or upgraded boardings.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has a public bonus (10,000 Delta SkyMiles, worth roughly $110), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier's $149 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier's benefits to clear $149 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: $1,500 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.