Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
A good choice for Delta loyalists. The free checked bag and $200 flight credit easily offset the $150 annual fee if you fly Delta a few times a year.
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Side-by-side
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Both are airline travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority from Chase at $229/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.
| Feature | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $229 |
| Sign-up bonus | 80,000 bonus miles | 90,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $960 | $840 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | airline | airline |
| Best earning category (Delta) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
$150/yr · 80,000 bonus miles
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
$229/yr · 90,000 points
Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
If Southwest is your airline, this is the card to have. The anniversary points and $75 travel credit help offset the annual fee, and the 4x earning on Southwest is class-leading among airline cards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has the bigger bonus, 80,000 bonus miles, worth roughly $960, versus 90,000 points (~$840) on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority.
- Is the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
- At $150/yr, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
- 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 Gold American Express Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card: $3,000 spend in 6 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $3,000 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.