Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Delta SkyMiles® Gold
Side-by-side comparison
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier | Delta SkyMiles® Gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $149 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Dining | 2x | 2x |
| Groceries | 2x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $382 | $382 |
| Points type | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards | Locked to Delta SkyMiles |
| Network | Visa | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier earns about $382 a year in rewards and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold about $382, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold charges $150, but carries about $200 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold delivers more total value, about $99 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it carries more in annual statement credits. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. Note that Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier and Delta SkyMiles® Gold are running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.