United vs. Southwest: Which Airline Is Best?
United leads with its global reach, but Southwest wins for lower fees... for now.
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Updated · 3 min read
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In 2026, the key differences between United Airlines and Southwest Airlines have started to diminish. Southwest Airlines has introduced baggage fees, seat selection and dynamic pricing to award flights — all of which United already had.
If you are trying to decide which of the two to fly regularly (or perhaps even get an airline credit card or pursue elite status), here's what you should know about these two airlines.,
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Where they’re based and where they fly
Winner for route options: United
Southwest
Southwest flies to more than 117 destinations, most of which are in the U.S. However, the airline does fly to a dozen countries outside the U.S. — mainly in the Caribbean and Central America.
Southwest isn’t part of an alliance and has very basic and limited partnerships with other airlines, so you’ll often have fewer options to reach international destinations.
Southwest is also unique in that it doesn’t have hubs. Instead, it uses a point-to-point model and has focus cities where the carrier operates more flights.
Southwest’s focus cities
- Atlanta.
- Baltimore-Washington.
- Chicago-Midway.
- Dallas-Love.
- Denver.
- Houston-Hobby.
- Las Vegas.
- Los Angeles.
- Oakland.
- Orlando.
- Phoenix.
- St. Louis.
United
United covers more than 300 destinations across six continents. United is also part of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, which includes 25 carriers serving more than 1,150 airports.
United’s domestic hubs
- Chicago-O’Hare.
- Denver.
- Houston-Intercontinental.
- Los Angeles.
- Newark.
- San Francisco.
- Washington-Dulles.
Airline loyalty programs
Winner for value of program and rewards: United
United Airlines MileagePlus
In United's MileagePlus loyalty program, you can redeem MileagePlus miles for flights on United and for those operated by its partners. This gives you plenty of destinations where you can travel using United miles.
United MileagePlus members can earn elite status in the program through a combination of Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs). PQFs are based on the number of segments flown, while PQPs are based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges on flights, seat purchases and paid upgrades.
United’s elite status offers far more perks than you’ll find on Southwest, including airport lounge access and complimentary first class upgrades.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
The Southwest Rapid Rewards program lets members earn points that are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights. There are two Southwest elite status tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred. Elite members get one free checked bag, same-day standby and seat selection at booking. Preferred members also get a higher earning bonus on rewards, an additional checked bag and two premium drinks per flight.
Southwest also offers its highest earners a Companion Pass, which allows you to select a companion to travel with you on all Southwest flights for only the price of taxes and fees. That deal is valid for the remainder of the calendar year you earned it and the following calendar year.
Extra fees
Winner for lowest fees: Southwest
Southwest
Southwest narrowly beats out United Airlines on fees because it does not charge for carry-on bags (even if you buy a Basic fare). However, it now charges for checked bags and seat selection, bringing it closer in line to United than ever before.
United
Like many major U.S. airlines, United charges extra fees for various services. Checked bag fees on United vary by itinerary and whether you pay for your bag in advance. You can use United’s checked baggage calculator to find fees for a specific flight.
For most United flights, a carry-on bag is included in the ticket price. However, you’ll want to be wary of basic economy tickets, which charge you for checked luggage and a carry-on bag.
United also charges for seat selection on some tickets, though those with elite status can enjoy this perk for free.
» Learn more: Which airlines have the best (and worst) fees?
In-flight experience
Winner of the sky: United
United
United has multiple classes of service available to passengers, including economy, Premium Plus, first class and United Polaris business class. Depending on where you’re going, you’ll find any combination of these classes — though first class is limited mainly to domestic and short-haul international flights.
On long-haul international flights, Premium Plus and United Polaris offer a higher-end experience. Premium Plus is akin to domestic first class with large recliner chairs, while United Polaris provides lie-flat pods for guests.
Some United aircraft have in-seat entertainment, but United also provides movies, TV shows and more to watch on your personal device.
United offers free in-flight messaging to all guests. United Wi-Fi is also available, though the cost varies based on where you’re flying. For short-haul international or domestic flights, it’s $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for everyone else. It is in the process of rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members.
» Learn more: The best airline for in-flight entertainment
Southwest
Southwest doesn’t operate any long-haul flights, which means it doesn’t provide substantial catering. Although snacks and drinks are free (alcohol is extra), this may leave some hungry on transcontinental routes.
Southwest doesn’t have any seatback entertainment, but it does provide free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members.
» Learn more: The guide to Southwest priority boarding
Credit card offerings
Winner for best credit cards: United
Southwest
Southwest offers three personal co-branded cards and two business options. These cards can grant perks such as seat selection and anniversary bonuses.
However, the benefits they offer in comparison to United’s credit cards are fairly mediocre; this is due simply to the limitations of Southwest as an airline.
Here is how Southwest’s three personal credit cards break down:
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99. | $149. | $229. |
| Welcome offer | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Earnings on Southwest purchases | 2x points per $1. | 3x points per $1. | 4x points per $1. |
| 25% back on in-flight purchases | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Seat selection | Standard seat within 48 hours of departure. | Standard or Preferred Seat within 48 hours of departure. | Standard or Preferred seat at booking. |
| Extra Legroom upgrade | - | - | Within 48 hours of departure. |
| 10,000-point Companion Pass boost | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Tier-qualifying points | - | 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent. | 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent. |
| Other Southwest benefits | 3,000 points every cardmember anniversary. | 6,000 points every cardmember anniversary. | 7,500 points every cardmember anniversary. |
United
United Airlines has six credit cards available to travelers: four personal cards and two business cards. The perks of these cards vary but can include airport lounge access, free checked bags and priority check-in.
Here’s a look at three of the best United credit cards:
| United Gateway℠ Card | United Quest℠ Card | United Club℠ Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0. | $350. | $695. |
| Welcome offer | Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Earnings on United purchases | 2x miles per $1. | 3x miles per $1. | 4x miles per $1. |
| Other earnings | 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1x mile per $1 everywhere else. | 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1x mile per $1 everywhere else. | 2x miles per $1 spent on hotels, travel and dining. 1x mile per $1 everywhere else. |
| 25% back on in-flight purchases | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Free checked bag | - | 2. | 2. |
| Priority boarding | - | Yes. | Yes. |
| Priority check-in | - | - | Yes. |
| Earn elite status | - | Earn up to 18,000 PQPs from spending each year. | Earn up to 28,000 PQPs from spending each year. |
| Additional benefits | - | A 10,000-mile discount every anniversary year toward an eligible award flight. $200 in United TravelBank cash after account opening and annually on your account anniversary, redeemable for a future United- or United Express-operated flight. | $120 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, Avis President’s Club, United Club membership. |
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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