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Quick Answer

The Southwest Performance Business edges out the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 4x vs 3x). The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.

Card Comparison

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card vs Southwest Performance Business

Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card card art
Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
American Express
More Info
Southwest Performance Business card art
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Performance Business
Chase
More Info

Comparison Method

CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.

Annual Fee
$650/yr
$299/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
125,000 points
Spend $15,000 in 6 months
was 125k pts
80,000 points
Spend $5,000 in 3 months
was 120k pts
Top Earn Rates
  • Delta Purchases 3x
  • Transit/Rideshares 1.5x
  • U.S. Shipping Providers 1.5x
  • Southwest Airlines 4x
  • Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners 3x
  • Social Media and Search Engine Advertising, Internet, Cable and Phone Services 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Pts Value
~1.20¢/pt miles · industry est.
~1.40¢/pt points · industry est.
Key Credits
  • Statement Credit $10
  • Statement Credit $20
  • WiFi Credit $8
  • Global Entry / TSA PreCheck $100
Card Perks
  • Delta Sky Club Access
  • First Checked Bag Free
  • Priority Boarding
  • +2 more
  • Four Upgraded Boardings Per Year
  • In-Flight WiFi Credits
  • 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points
  • +1 more
Spend Milestones
  • Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access
    After $75,000 spend
  • 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status
    After $10,000 spend
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners

Quick summary

A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.

The Southwest Performance Business edges out the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card for most cardholders — it wins on 3 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 4x vs 3x). The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, Southwest Performance Business tops out at 4x versus 3x for Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1500 for Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card and $1120 for Southwest Performance Business. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/delta-skymiles-reserve-business-card-vs-southwest-performance-business

View source data
Winner
Southwest Performance Business
3/4 categories · up to 4x
Runner-up
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card
1/4 categories · up to 3x
  • Southwest Performance Business wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
  • Top earn rate: Southwest Performance Business reaches 4x; Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card reaches 3x.
  • Annual fee: Southwest Performance Business is $299/yr; Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is $650/yr.
  • Current public bonus values are approximately $1500 and $1120.

Common Questions: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card vs Southwest Performance Business

Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card or Southwest Performance Business better for dining?

Neither card offers a specific dining bonus — both earn their base rate on restaurant purchases.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card currently offers 125,000 pts signup bonus (spend $15,000 in 6 months). Southwest Performance Business offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card has the larger bonus.

Which card is better for international travel?

Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.

Can I hold both the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card and the Southwest Performance Business?

In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is from American Express and Southwest Performance Business is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.