The United Explorer edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Southwest Plus vs United Explorer
Get the clearer winner first, see the specific exception case, and only personalize further if the decision is genuinely close.
United Explorer is the better choice for most people.
United Explorer wins the measurable comparison on this page. Choose Southwest Plus only if best if you want to keep annual cost lower..
Best if you care most about stronger category earning on everyday spend.
Review United ExplorerWhy we picked this winner
- United Explorer wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: United Explorer reaches 3x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: United Explorer is $150/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $800 and $800.
Moderate-confidence recommendation
The winner is directionally stronger, but the gap is narrow enough that annual-fee tolerance and category mix can still flip the decision.
Which Card Comes Out Ahead?
United Explorer is the stronger all-around option for most people in this matchup because it wins more measurable categories in our scoring model. Southwest Plus still makes sense if your spending pattern lines up better with its fee profile, issuer rules, or rewards ecosystem.
Best if you care most about stronger category earning on everyday spend.
Why you can trust this answer
CardCurator compares measurable card economics first, then uses deeper rewards intelligence from program data, transfer partners, award charts, and live bonuses when a decision depends on the ecosystem behind the card rather than the card headline alone.
Personalize this answer without sharing sensitive data
Start with a few signals that usually decide close matchups: rough monthly spend, your top category, annual-fee tolerance, and whether you already hold either card.
This step is meant to break close ties without asking for uploads, account creation, or exact spending data.
United Explorer
Assumptions: default assumptions
United Explorer still comes out ahead after a light personalization pass, which suggests the recommendation is fairly robust.
- Southwest Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- United Purchases 3x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
- United Travel Credit $100
- United Hotels Credit $50
- United Hotels Credit $50
- +4 more
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
- United cardholder award discount eligibility
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The United Explorer edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, United Explorer tops out at 3x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $800 for Southwest Plus and $800 for United Explorer. Summary generated July 14, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/southwest-plus-vs-united-explorer
- United Explorer wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: United Explorer reaches 3x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: United Explorer is $150/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $800 and $800.
Common Questions: Southwest Plus vs United Explorer
Is the Southwest Plus or United Explorer better for dining?
Southwest Plus has no dining bonus; United Explorer earns 2x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Southwest Plus currently offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Both bonuses are roughly equal in value.
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 Plus 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.
Keep Researching
If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.