United℠ Explorer vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business
Side-by-side comparison
| United℠ Explorer | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $149 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 60,000 bonus miles | 60,000 points |
| Advertising | 1% | 1% |
| Shipping | 1% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 1% |
| Travel | 1% | 3% |
| Everything else | 1% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $474 | $588 |
| Points type | Locked to United MileagePlus | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
*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 business spending, the United℠ Explorer earns about $474 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business about $588, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The United℠ Explorer charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business delivers more total value, about $115 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel. 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. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business if your spending leans toward travel.