Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Which Is Better In 2026?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.

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• It’s packed with perks for Southwest loyalists, offering benefits like annual travel credits and upgraded boarding opportunities.
• The card is one of the fastest ways to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, since all points earned count toward qualification.
• You receive a deposit of bonus points every year on your card anniversary, which adds to its excellent long-term value.

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Pros

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• Points earned from spending help you qualify for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass® and work toward A-List elite status.
• Offers several valuable perks for frequent flyers, including an annual travel credit, upgraded boardings, and inflight purchase rebates.
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases and no blackout dates when redeeming points for flights.

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Cons

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• The card’s annual fee is higher than other Southwest card options.
• It offers limited value if you don't fly Southwest frequently.
• Unlike some competing premium travel cards, it does not offer airport lounge access.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, depends entirely on your financial goals and spending habits. One card is designed for building credit, while the other is tailored for frequent travelers.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. It's designed for users who may not qualify for traditional unsecured cards but still want the opportunity to earn rewards, as noted in a detailed review.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideal for frequent flyers loyal to Southwest Airlines. This complete review explains that the card offers perks and benefits tailored to maximize value for those who regularly travel with the airline.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back on your purchases. You can redeem your rewards for a statement credit or receive them as a check, providing flexible options.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: With this card, you accumulate points in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. These points are primarily redeemed for flights with the airline, but can also be used for other travel-related purchases.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To cut through the noise, a financial companion platform like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Discover the best cards for you with recommendations based on your spending history.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards when shopping at your favorite stores that stack on top of your credit card rewards.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards?

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This card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit, particularly those with fair or lower credit scores; the average score for approved members is around 611, according to Credit Karma. It’s a strong fit for users who want to earn cash back on every purchase while establishing a positive payment history. Ultimately, the ideal cardholder is someone who pays their balance in full each month and hopes to eventually graduate to an unsecured Capital One card.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyal Southwest customers who fly the airline several times a year and want to maximize their rewards. This card is also a powerful tool for travelers aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass® or achieve A-List elite status through credit card spending. Ultimately, it's a great fit for domestic travelers and families who can leverage the card's premium perks, like the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings, to more than justify the annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Capital One Quicksilver Secured vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comparison has made it clear that neither a secured card for building credit nor a premium airline card is right for you, there are several other excellent alternatives to explore.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score. Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review your budget. Ensure you can meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Know the issuer's rules. Many banks have restrictions on how many cards you can open or how often you can earn a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Look for pre-approval offers to check your odds without affecting your credit score.
• Time your application around large purchases to easily meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Pick cards that match your spending, such as a co-branded card for an airline you fly often.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What credit score do I need for these cards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for those building credit, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card generally requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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What is the difference between a secured and an unsecured credit card?

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A secured card, like the Quicksilver Secured, requires a refundable security deposit that typically becomes your credit limit, making it easier to get approved. An unsecured card, such as the Southwest Priority Card, does not require a deposit and extends credit based on your overall creditworthiness.

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Is it better to earn cash back or airline miles?

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The best option depends on your spending habits and goals. Cash back offers straightforward value and flexibility, whereas airline miles can provide greater value if you frequently travel with a specific airline like Southwest.

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Do these cards have an annual fee?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Secured has no annual fee, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card charges an annual fee to provide its premium travel benefits and credits.

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