Capital One Savor Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2026?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus.

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• The card helps you earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, which allows a friend to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.
• It offers valuable annual perks like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits that can enhance your travel experience.
• The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card makes it easy to earn points on everyday spending that can be redeemed for flights on the airline.

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Pros

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• Offers a simple way to earn points on Southwest purchases as well as everyday spending categories.
• Cardholders receive annual anniversary bonus points and credits for EarlyBird Check-In®.
• Includes useful travel protections like baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or an annual travel credit.
• Points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights, offering less flexibility than some other travel rewards programs.
• The card’s point-earning rates are more modest than some competing travel cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Savor Student or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, comes down to your primary spending habits and financial goals. Each card is designed for a distinct type of user, excelling in different categories.

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• Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for students looking to build their credit history. It's tailored for those enrolled in college who want to earn rewards on their everyday spending.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who often fly with Southwest Airlines. It serves as an excellent entry point for travelers new to earning airline rewards.

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Redemption

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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards that can be redeemed with great flexibility. You can typically receive your earnings as a statement credit to lower your balance or request a check.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: With this card, you earn points directly into the Southwest Rapid Rewards loyalty program. These points are primarily used to book flights with the airline, but can also be redeemed for other travel-related purchases like hotels and car rentals.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, Kudos can simulate your potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your actual spending data. This gives you a personalized projection of annual rewards and net value after fees.
• Check your approval odds: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to see how likely you are to be approved for a card.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock extra rewards: New members can earn a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to their Kudos Wallet.
• Explore nearly 3,000 cards: Compare thousands of credit cards to find the perfect match for your spending habits.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?

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This student credit card is an excellent choice for college students looking to earn cash back on everyday expenses without the burden of an annual fee. It's especially valuable for students who spend a significant portion of their budget on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. Furthermore, it's a great tool for those aiming to build their credit history, including international students, and its lack of foreign transaction fees makes it ideal for studying abroad or traveling.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an ideal entry point for occasional Southwest flyers and those just dipping their toes into travel rewards. Its lower annual fee also appeals to budget-conscious travelers who still want access to valuable airline perks. For dedicated Southwest loyalists, the card's greatest strength is that all points earned count toward qualifying for the highly sought-after Companion Pass.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the head-to-head Capital One Savor Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison shows that neither card is quite right for your wallet, don't fret. The world of credit cards is vast, and there are several other excellent choices that might better suit your spending habits and reward goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most cards require at least a fair to good credit history for approval.
• Review eligibility rules: Some cards have specific requirements, such as being an enrolled student.
• Align the card with your goals: Consider your spending habits to ensure the card's benefits match your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of application restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule, before you apply.
• Time your application: Plan to apply before a large purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Use pre-approval tools: Check for pre-qualified offers to gauge your approval odds without a hard credit inquiry.

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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Which card is better for students?

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The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is specifically designed for students, making it an excellent choice for those new to credit. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is not a student card and generally has stricter approval requirements.

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What kind of rewards do these cards offer?

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The Capital One SavorOne Student card earns cash back on purchases, which is flexible for any expense. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card earns points specifically for use within the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards loyalty program.

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Do I need a good credit score for these cards?

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Typically, student credit cards like the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card are available to applicants with fair or limited credit history. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, however, usually requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

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