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

Small business owners that occasionally fly Southwest should consider getting the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card. You’ll get a solid earning rate on Southwest Airlines purchases, your first checked bag free for you and 8 additional passengers in the same reservation, an annual 15% promo code each anniversary year (excludes Basic fares), a complimentary Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, plus 25% back on inflight purchases.

You can also earn 2,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually accelerating your way to A-List status. (Note that on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card you earn these quicker, at 2,500 per $5,000 in spend.)

In addition to the bonus points earned after account opening, cardholders earn points at a rate of 3x Rapid Rewards points on Southwest purchases plus 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants on your first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.

When you earn points through the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card, they count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass.

You can boost your point earnings by adding employee cards at no additional cost and, of course, there are no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.

When you go to redeem points, Southwest offers a simple rewards structure which values the points around 1.25 cents each. The actual redemption varies a bit, with redemptions closer to the date of travel tending to get a bit more value per point. While there are no blackout dates, that also means there’s no way of getting more value from your Rapid Rewards points.

Although the Southwest Premier Business Card is a solid card, Southwest frequent travelers should strongly consider getting the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card instead.

For a $299 annual fee, you’ll earn 4x bonus points on Southwest purchases, plus you’ll be able to upgrade to Extra Legroom seat for free within 48 hours prior to departure when available. That’s after you can select a complimentary Preferred seat at booking at no additional charge, when available.

Lastly, this card is great for getting 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 Amex card sits squarely between the ultra-premium (Reserve) and base-level annual-fee (Gold) Delta cards. While the $350 annual fee is still a sizable sum to consider, there’s a mile-long list of benefits for Delta loyalists.

With the Delta Platinum card, it’s not only easy to rack up thousands of SkyMiles from card spend alone, but you could spend your way to the finish line of Medallion status.

You’ll earn 3x bonus miles on Delta purchases and hotel bookings; 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets; and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.

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!

With your growing balance of Delta SkyMiles, you can book Delta award flights — and enjoy a 15% discount for being a cardholder. Beyond earning and redeeming miles, there are great ways to save money through the a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years, a first free checked bag on Delta flights, cell phone protection, trip coverage, and purchase protections. Plus, you’ll board with Zone 5 at the airport.

Another key benefit that may move the needle for you is the annual roundtrip companion certificate, good for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights in the Main Cabin. You’ll receive this reward after paying your card’s annual fee every account anniversary (after account opening). This allows you to book a second flight for a friend or family member for the cost of government imposed taxes and fees. Pick your route wisely, as you can easily save hundreds of dollars (and pay for the $350 annual fee) with the certificate alone. (Terms apply.)

And you’ll also receive up to $390 in statement credits each year with up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card, up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Enrollment Required) and up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. (Terms apply)

In summary, if you like flying Delta but don’t think you can justify the cost of the higher annual fee for the Reserve level card, the Delta Platinum card may be the perfect fit for your travel needs.

Rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card