Compare the Features and Benefits of Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card should be the go-to card for Southwest frequent travelers that own a small business. Don’t let the $299 annual fee scare you off. This card comes packed with perks that can easily justify that fee.

Southwest-specific perks include the ability to earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually, the ability to choose a standard or preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure when available and to choose a Preferred Seat right at booking when available. You will also be able to upgrade to Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure when available – for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation.

Don’t forget you get a free first checked bag for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional Passengers on the same reservation. For a group of 4 this would be a savings of up to $360 roundtrip ($45 per bag per trip).

Plus, cardholders get premium travel perks like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit once every 4 years. This includes the option of the Canadian NEXUS program.

Cardholders earn 4x Rapid Rewards points on Southwest Airlines purchases. That’s a higher rewards earning rate on Southwest purchases than you’ll find on any other Southwest business credit card.

Cardholders will earn 2,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent on purchases annually. While you probably don’t want to put that much spending on the card, you can conceivably spend all the way to A-List Preferred status by spending alone.

The biggest downside to this card is the limited redemption options. The best way to redeem Rapid Rewards points is for Southwest flights. And since the Rapid Rewards structure is a fixed-value program, you won’t get more value from some flights than others. The good news is that means there are no blackout dates when you want to redeem points.

You can add employee cards for no additional cost, meaning you can be rewarded for employee spending.

Lastly, this card is great for getting more than halfway to a Southwest Companion Pass with the bonus offer. Read our guide on earning a Southwest Companion Pass for up to two years via new account bonuses.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card offers a slew of perks that will appeal to several types of business owners. Whether you’re looking to join the early ranks of Silver or Gold Medallion status, or want to climb further toward Platinum or Diamond, this business card provides excellent incentives for higher spend, helping you earn your way towards higher status levels.

Not only that, but you will earn 3x bonus miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases, 1.5x miles on transit, U.S. shipping, and large purchases of $5,000 or more (up to an aggregate limit of $100,000 per year; earn 1X thereafter) plus 1x miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

In short, the Delta Platinum Business card’s earning rate is solid for businesses who want to reap the rewards on their high operating expenses.

The $350 annual fee can be hard to swallow, but several notable perks can help you save money when you’re flying with Delta.

First, you and up to eight passengers can get a first checked bag free on Delta Flights + Zone 5 Priority Boarding.

You’ll also receive up to a $120 credit toward your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application or renewal (Terms apply).

And upon paying your annual fee every account anniversary, you’ll receive an annual companion certificate that’s valid for Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights on Delta. If used wisely, you can easily score hundreds of dollars in value from this recurring benefit.

Other smaller, but just as impactful, benefits include no foreign transaction fees, a 15% discount when redeeming SkyMiles for flights on Delta, as well as a solid range of travel and purchase protection benefits, including cell phone insurance.

For those that need a hand with reaching the next Delta Medallion® elite status level, this card earns 1 MQD (Medallion Qualifying Dollars) for every $20 spent on eligible purchases with your Card plus $2,500 MQDs each year – just for holding the card!

There are also up to $440 worth of statement credits available on this card.

You can get an statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.

You’ll also be eligible for up to $120 in Resy Credit (earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card) and you can earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.

Note that you cannot enter the Delta Sky Clubs with the Delta Platinum Amex Business card. If you anticipate needing airport lounge access,  you may want to consider the Delta SkyMiles® Business Reserve Card, which comes with a much higher $650 annual fee. However, you’ll get access to Delta Sky Clubs when you fly Delta that same day with the Delta SkyMiles® Business Reserve Card. (Limitations apply.)

Overall, the Delta Platinum Amex Business Card is a phenomenal option for business owners who want to maximize their earning potential on Delta purchases, enjoy flight perks, and work towards elite status on Delta.

Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card