Delta SkyMiles® Blue vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | $99 |
| Welcome offer | 10,000 Bonus Miles | |
| Dining | 2x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 2x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $322 | $373 |
| Points type | Locked to Delta SkyMiles | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Amex | 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 household spending, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue earns about $322 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue delivers more total value, about $47 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on dining. 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Delta SkyMiles® Blue if your spending leans toward dining. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries, gas.