The Southwest Performance Business and United Explorer are closely matched. Southwest Performance Business wins on 2 categories (80,000 pts signup bonus); United Explorer wins on 2 (80,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns.
Southwest Performance Business vs United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
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.
- Southwest Airlines 4x
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners 3x
- Social Media and Search Engine Advertising, Internet, Cable and Phone Services 2x
- United Purchases 3x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
- WiFi Credit $8
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck $100
- United Travel Credit $100
- United Hotels Credit $50
- United Hotels Credit $50
- +4 more
- Four Upgraded Boardings Per Year
- In-Flight WiFi Credits
- 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points
- +1 more
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
- 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $10,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Southwest Performance Business and United Explorer are closely matched. Southwest Performance Business wins on 2 categories (80,000 pts signup bonus); United Explorer wins on 2 (80,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns. On raw upside, Southwest Performance Business tops out at 4x versus 3x for United Explorer. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1120 for Southwest Performance Business and $800 for United Explorer. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/southwest-performance-business-vs-united-explorer
- Southwest Performance Business wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Southwest Performance Business reaches 4x; United Explorer reaches 3x.
- Annual fee: Southwest Performance Business is $299/yr; United Explorer is $150/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1120 and $800.
Common Questions: Southwest Performance Business vs United Explorer
Is the Southwest Performance Business or United Explorer better for dining?
Southwest Performance Business has no dining bonus; United Explorer earns 2x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Southwest Performance Business currently offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Southwest Performance Business 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 Southwest Performance Business and the United Explorer?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.