Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $99 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Dining | 1x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 2x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $292 | $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® Reserve earns about $292 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus delivers more total value, about $633 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and gas. 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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries, gas.