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Capital One Savor Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards: This card is a great fit for students who spend on dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority: This card is built for frequent Southwest flyers who want to enjoy airline-specific travel benefits.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a high-level look at what makes this card a strong choice for students.
- The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards offers a generous rewards structure tailored to common student spending habits.
- It's an excellent option for students studying abroad or for international students, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees.
- The card comes with valuable perks that help students build their credit history and shop securely online.
Pros
- Earns unlimited cash back in categories that align with typical student spending, such as dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
- Includes valuable tools to help students establish and monitor their credit, including free credit tracking and automatic credit line reviews.
- Provides added security for online purchases with virtual card numbers and is accessible to international students who have an ITIN.
Cons
- The credit requirements may be a hurdle for students with limited or no credit history.
- Higher reward rates are restricted to certain spending categories, and some major retailers are excluded from bonus categories.
- A fee applies for balance transfers, and travel redemption options can be restrictive.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
- It provides a suite of benefits specifically designed to enhance the Southwest travel experience.
- The card offers a clear pathway to earning the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass®.
- For loyalists, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card helps you achieve elite status faster through everyday spending.
Pros
- Receive an annual travel credit for Southwest purchases and bonus points each year on your card anniversary.
- Includes several upgraded boarding opportunities each year and priority boarding for your travel party.
- Offers robust travel and purchase protections, such as lost luggage reimbursement and extended warranty.
Cons
- Carries a higher annual fee than other Southwest card options.
- Rewards are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights, limiting flexibility.
- Lacks certain premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards
Categories
Deciding between these two very different cards depends entirely on your personal spending habits and goals, so let's determine which is better Capital One Savor Student or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority for your wallet.
- Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is built for students who want to establish or build their credit while earning rewards on everyday purchases like dining, entertainment, and groceries.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailored for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers looking to maximize travel-specific benefits and earn points toward elite status with the airline.
Redemption
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit or a check, offering a straightforward way to get value back from your spending.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights, but also for other options like international flights with partners, merchandise, and gift cards.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To take the guesswork out of the equation, a financial companion platform like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards with a data-driven explorer tool.
- Test drive any credit card before you apply, using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections without a hard credit pull.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Track your progress toward earning credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Discover personalized card recommendations based on your spending history.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is tailor-made for college students who are ready to build their credit history responsibly. It's an excellent match for those who frequently spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, as it offers high cash back rates in these categories. Additionally, its lack of foreign transaction fees and acceptance of ITIN applications make it a standout choice for international students studying in the U.S.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for the dedicated Southwest loyalist who flies the airline multiple times per year. For these travelers, the card's premium benefits—like the annual $75 Southwest travel credit and four upgraded boardings—provide enough value to easily justify the annual fee. Furthermore, it's an essential tool for anyone strategically pursuing the airline's top-tier perks, as every point earned helps you qualify for the valuable Companion Pass®.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Capital One Savor Student vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comparison didn't point you to the right card, don't fret. Plenty of other cards might be a better match for your wallet.
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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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Review your credit: Ensure your credit score aligns with the card’s typical approval range.
- Know the rules: Be aware of any issuer-specific application restrictions or eligibility requirements.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer.
Application Strategy
- Time your application: Applying early in the year can maximize the value of annual benefits, like the Southwest Companion Pass®.
- Look for upgrade options: If you have an existing card, check with the issuer about upgrading to a new product instead of submitting a new application.
- Check for special requirements: Some cards are designed for specific applicants, such as students, and may have unique eligibility criteria.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can a student apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card?
Yes, a student can apply, but this card is generally designed for applicants with good to excellent credit and a steady income. The card also has a notable annual fee, which may not be ideal for every student budget.
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card good for everyday spending?
While it offers bonus points on Southwest purchases and a few other categories, its earning rate on general spending is lower than many other cards. It provides the most value to those who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
Are the rewards from the Capital One Savor Student card flexible?
Yes, the Capital One Savor Student card earns cash back, which is highly flexible. Cardholders can typically redeem their rewards for a statement credit or a check.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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