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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Card Comparison

Southwest Performance Business vs United Explorer

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

Southwest Performance Business card art
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Performance Business
Chase
More Info
United Explorer card art
United MileagePlus
United Explorer
Chase
More Info
Annual Fee
$299/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
80,000 points
Spend $5,000 in 3 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
  • 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 2x
  • Restaurant Purchases 2x
  • Hotel Stays 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
  • WiFi Credit $8
  • Global Entry / TSA PreCheck $100
  • Statement Credit $5
  • Statement Credit $50
  • Statement Credit $50
  • +1 more
Card Perks
  • Four Upgraded Boardings Per Year
  • In-Flight WiFi Credits
  • 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points
  • +1 more
  • 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Spend Milestones
  • 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status
    After $10,000 spend
No milestones
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners
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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 85,000 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.