Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card stands out.

• It offers a relatively low annual fee compared to many other co-branded airline credit cards.

• Every point you earn, including anniversary bonuses, counts toward the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass.

• The 3,000 anniversary bonus points combined with two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits (valued at up to $50) can nearly offset the card's $99 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Every point earned counts toward the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.

• The card includes useful travel benefits like annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits and protections for delayed or lost luggage.

• You can earn points on Southwest® purchases and on common everyday spending categories.

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Cons

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• As an entry-level card, it lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or upgraded boarding.

• The card’s rewards are best suited for Southwest loyalists, as points offer limited value when redeemed outside of Southwest flights.

• Point earning rates are modest compared to other travel cards, especially for non-bonus category spending.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending style. Both cards offer compelling rewards, but they cater to very different types of travelers.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® is best for entry-level travel. It's a top choice for those new to travel credit cards who want to maximize rewards on travel and dining.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers, specifically those who often fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn points for future flights.

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Redemption

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card offers highly flexible redemption options through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. You can use points to book travel directly or transfer them to a variety of airline and hotel partners.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. This provides a straightforward way for Southwest loyalists to turn their spending into airfare.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: This card provides a broad travel ecosystem with significant flexibility. It includes perks like:
  • No foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international travel.
  • Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points can be redeemed for travel with a value boost.
  • Comprehensive travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
  • An annual hotel credit.
  • It does not, however, offer complimentary airport lounge access.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built exclusively around Southwest Airlines. Its benefits are designed to enhance the Southwest flying experience. Key features include:
  • Anniversary bonus points credited to your account each year.
  • Two EarlyBird Check-In® services annually.
  • Points earned count toward the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass®.
  • This card does charge a foreign transaction fee.
  • It does not offer airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you’d earn with a new card using your actual spending data, without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: By securely connecting your bank accounts, you can get data-driven recommendations for cards that best match your unique spending patterns.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to better understand your chances of being approved for different cards.
• Extra rewards: Earn additional rewards through features like Kudos Boost when shopping at partner stores, which stack on top of your credit card rewards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months of applying, Kudos will match it.
• Automated card selection: The browser extension can automatically select and fill in the best card from your digital wallet at checkout to ensure you always maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those new to travel rewards, offering a strong sign-up bonus, flexible redemption options, and valuable travel protections. According to a 2025 card review, its bonus categories also make it a great everyday card for spending on dining, streaming services, and online groceries.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a strong choice for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers seeking airline perks without a high annual fee. It's also an ideal starting point for credit card beginners or Southwest loyalists working toward the valuable Companion Pass. Essentially, if you fly with the airline a few times a year and want to maximize rewards on those trips and everyday spending, this card is designed for you. You can learn more in our complete 2025 guide.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card comparison has you thinking neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. We've rounded up a few other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Getting approved for a top-tier travel card is the first step to unlocking major rewards. Here are a few tips to improve your odds and maximize your new card from day one.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score: You'll generally need a good to excellent credit score for a successful application.
• Know your 5/24 status: Chase has a well-known guideline that may lead to a denial if you've opened five or more personal credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can comfortably meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer within the first three months. Don't force purchases you wouldn't normally make.

Application Strategy:

• Time your application: Applying just before a planned large purchase, like a vacation or home renovation, can help you hit the spending threshold organically.
• Be patient if you don't get an instant decision: Sometimes an application simply needs a manual review, which can take a few days.
• Consider the reconsideration line: If your application is denied, it can be worthwhile to call the issuer's reconsideration line. A polite conversation explaining your situation can sometimes lead to an approval.

Pro tip: If you're aiming for the Southwest Companion Pass®, timing is everything. Since the pass is valid for the remainder of the year you earn it plus the entire following year, applying late in one year or early in the next can maximize its value. All points from the welcome offer and your spending on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card count toward qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest?

Yes, you can transfer points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account at a 1:1 ratio. This allows you to use your flexible Ultimate Rewards points for Southwest flights.

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Which card has a lower annual fee?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has a $69 annual fee.

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Do points from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card count towards the Companion Pass?

Yes, points earned from the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, including any welcome offers, count as qualifying points toward earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.