Choosing between the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card ($149/yr) and the United Explorer Card ($150/yr) comes down to where you spend most. Both cards can deliver real value. Let’s break it down, then run your numbers to find the winner.
3x on Southwest purchases, 2x on groceries and restaurants up to $8,000/year.
Perfect if: You want a strong rewards rate with no spending caps to worry about.
Apply NowStrongest in dining 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 | 50,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Dining Rewards | 1% | 2% |
| 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 and hotels Earns 2% only on United purchases and hotel stays. Flights on other airlines, car rentals and cruises 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. |
United Explorer Card wins on dining.
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.
Enter your typical monthly spending and we’ll show you exactly which card earns more, including fees and bonuses.