The Southwest Priority and United Explorer are closely matched. Southwest Priority wins on 2 categories (90,000 pts signup bonus); United Explorer wins on 2 (80,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns.
Southwest Priority 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
- Restaurants 2x
- Gas Stations 2x
- United Purchases 3x
- Restaurant Purchases 2x
- Hotel Stays 2x
- Travel Credit $75
- United Travel Credit $100
- United Hotels Credit $50
- United Hotels Credit $50
- +4 more
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year
- 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $5,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Southwest Priority and United Explorer are closely matched. Southwest Priority wins on 2 categories (90,000 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 Priority tops out at 4x versus 3x for United Explorer. Current signup bonus values are roughly $900 for Southwest Priority and $800 for United Explorer. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/southwest-priority-vs-united-explorer
- Southwest Priority wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Southwest Priority reaches 4x; United Explorer reaches 3x.
- Annual fee: Southwest Priority is $229/yr; United Explorer is $150/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $900 and $800.
Common Questions: Southwest Priority vs United Explorer
Is the Southwest Priority or United Explorer better for dining?
Southwest Priority earns 2x on dining; United Explorer earns 2x on dining. Southwest Priority wins for dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Southwest Priority currently offers 90,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). United Explorer offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Southwest Priority 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 Priority 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.