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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Card Comparison

Southwest Premier vs United Explorer

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

Southwest Premier card art
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Premier
Chase
More Info
United Explorer card art
United MileagePlus
United Explorer
Chase
More Info
Annual Fee
$149/yr
$150/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
85,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 3 months
Top Earn Rates
  • Southwest Purchases 3x
  • Grocery Stores and Restaurants 2x
  • All Other Purchases 1x
  • United Purchases 2x
  • Restaurant Purchases 2x
  • Hotel Stays 2x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Key Credits
None
  • Statement Credit $5
  • Statement Credit $50
  • Statement Credit $50
  • +1 more
Card Perks
None listed
  • 2 United Club one-time passes per year
Spend Milestones
  • 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status
    After $5,000 spend
No milestones
Transfer Partners
No transfer partners
No transfer partners
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Common Questions: Southwest Premier vs United Explorer

Is the Southwest Premier or United Explorer better for dining?

Southwest Premier earns 2x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. Southwest Premier wins for dining.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Southwest Premier currently offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Southwest Premier 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 Premier 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.