Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
vs. United℠ Explorer Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and the United℠ Explorer Card are both excellent choices for frequent travelers, offering valuable airline rewards and benefits. However, The United Explorer Card is the better option for most travelers due to its lower annual fee after the first year and additional perks like United Club passes and free checked bags. It offers 2X miles on United purchases, dining and hotel stays, making it a versatile choice for travel enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, the Rapid Rewards Priority Card should still be considered by loyal Southwest flyers, as it provides 3X points on Southwest purchases and annual travel credits, which can offset its higher annual fee.

MoneyGeek's comparison breaks down the card details, rewards and perks to help you decide which is right for you.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card is likely to be better for frequent Southwest flyers who want to maximize their rewards on Southwest purchases. It offers 3X points on Southwest purchases and includes valuable perks like a $75 annual travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points. However, the card's high annual fee may not be suitable for those who don't frequently fly with Southwest or can't fully utilize the travel credits and anniversary points.

The United Explorer Card is likely to be better for those who frequently fly with United Airlines and want to maximize their travel rewards. It offers bonus miles on dining and hotel stays, making it suitable for travelers who spend in these categories. The card also provides valuable perks like free checked bags and United Club passes. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer other airlines or do not travel frequently enough to justify the annual fee.

A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card fits your needs. We compare APRs, fees, rewards, and more. For example, if you frequently fly Southwest, the Rapid Rewards Priority offers 3X points on Southwest purchases, while United Explorer offers 2X miles on United purchases. For Southwest flyers, the Rapid Rewards Priority card may be more rewarding.

United Explorer provides 2 miles per dollar on dining, hotel stays, and United purchases, making it appealing for those who frequently travel with United. Rapid Rewards Priority offers 3X points on Southwest purchases, which is beneficial for Southwest loyalists.

United MileagePlus miles and Southwest Rapid Rewards points are both valued at approximately 1.4 cents each, offering similar value per unit. This makes the choice between them more about airline preference than point value. Below is a table summarizing the bonus categories for each card.

Both the United Explorer and Rapid Rewards Priority cards offer flexible redemption options. United miles can be used for flights, car rentals and more, while Southwest points cover airfare, gift cards and events. Neither rewards expire, providing lasting value. Consider each airline's network and redemption partners when choosing.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers more value in perks for typical travelers, with a $75 annual travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points. The United Explorer Card provides valuable perks like a free checked bag and United Club passes, appealing to frequent flyers.

Travel Perks

• Free checked bag for you and a companion, saving up to $200 per round trip
• Priority boarding for cardholders and companions
• Two United Club one-time passes annually, valued over $100

Status

• Earn up to 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) annually

Insurance & Protections

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver provides primary coverage
• Travel Insurance covers baggage loss/delay and trip cancellations

Credits & Discounts

• Up to $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fees every four years
• 25% back on in-flight purchases on United-operated flights

All Other Perks

• Complimentary DashPass for DoorDash and Caviar for one year

Travel Perks

• Free checked bag for you and a companion
• Priority boarding
• Two United Club one-time passes each year

Status

• Earn up to 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP)

Insurance & Protections

• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
• Travel Insurance (baggage loss/delay, cancellation)

Credits & Discounts

• Up to $120 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fees
• 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases

All Other Perks

• Complimentary DashPass membership for DoorDash and Caviar

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.