Monthly spending. We rank on rewards minus the full annual fee, so statement credits and perks are listed separately and never counted for you.
Choosing between the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ($149/yr) and the United℠ Explorer Card ($150/yr) comes down to where you spend most. United Explorer Card needs about $10 a month in hotels, counting that spending alone, to make up its $1 higher annual fee over Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card. Below that, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card comes out ahead. Enter your monthly spending above to see which comes out ahead for you.
Strongest in dining at 2% (up to $8,000/yr). 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year.
Perfect if: Your monthly spending stays within the bonus cap for maximum value.
Apply NowStrongest in hotels at 2%. 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply Now| Feature | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $149 | $150 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 55,000 points after $1,500 spend in 3 months | 70,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 1% |
| Hotels Rewards | 1% | 2% |
| Dining Rewards | 2% (up to $8,000/yr) | 2% |
| Groceries Rewards | 2% (up to $8,000/yr) | 1% |
| Rates with conditions not counted in the rows above |
3% on Southwest Earns 3% only on Southwest purchases. Flights on other airlines, hotels and car rentals earn 1%. |
2% on United Earns 2% only on United purchases. Flights on other airlines earn 1%. |
| Key Benefits | 3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year. | 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. |
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card pulls ahead for groceries spending.
United Explorer Card wins on travel.
United Explorer Card carries $600/year in credits (mostly tied to specific merchants or bookings). Those only count if you’d actually use them. Worth checking against your own habits before treating them as a discount on the fee.
Not sure which fits your life? Enter your spending below and we’ll do the math. The calculator ranks purely on rewards minus the full annual fee, so credits and perks are yours to judge.