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

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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

• Cardholders receive an annual Southwest travel credit and bonus points each account anniversary, which help offset the annual fee.
• Travelers get valuable perks like four upgraded boardings per year and 25% back on inflight purchases of drinks and WiFi.
• With the annual travel credit and anniversary points combined, the card’s effective annual fee can be as low as $49 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Points earned on the card count toward the highly sought-after Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Cardholders enjoy an enhanced travel experience with perks like upgraded boardings and inflight purchase rebates.
• Rapid Rewards points are flexible to redeem, with no blackout dates on Southwest flights.

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Cons

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• The card’s annual fee is higher than other Southwest card options.
• Benefits are heavily skewed toward Southwest flyers, offering little value to those who prefer other airlines.
• It lacks certain premium travel perks, like airport lounge access, that are common on competing travel cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel style.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is best for earning high rewards on travel purchased through the Chase portal, and it also offers accelerated earnings on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideal for maximizing rewards on Southwest Airlines® purchases, with additional bonus categories for spending at grocery stores and restaurants.

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Redemption

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The redemption options highlight the core difference between a flexible travel card and a co-branded airline card.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: You earn flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back and gift cards, used to book travel through the Chase portal, or transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card earns points directly within the Southwest Rapid Rewards® program, which are primarily used to book Southwest flights but can also be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, and experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: The travel ecosystem is built around the flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® program. It features no foreign transaction fees, an annual hotel credit, and a suite of travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver. Points get a value boost when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, and the card’s main strength lies in its ability to transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card’s perks are tightly integrated with the Southwest flying experience. It has no foreign transaction fees and provides an annual Southwest travel credit. Cardholders also receive a number of Upgraded Boardings per year, when available, and earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status. You'll also get bonus points on your cardmember anniversary each year.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're still unsure which card is right for you, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate how much you would earn with different cards before you apply. This feature provides an annual rewards projection and a net value calculation that subtracts annual fees.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Spending and credit monitoring: Track your transactions, spending habits, and credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 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 individuals with good-to-excellent credit who spend regularly on dining, travel, select streaming services, and online groceries. With its robust travel protections and flexible redemption options, it serves as a strong entry-level card for those new to the world of travel rewards or looking to upgrade from a standard cashback card.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its suite of benefits. It's an excellent choice for loyalists aiming to earn A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass®, as perks like the annual travel credit and anniversary points help offset the annual fee. As detailed in this complete review, families and domestic travelers who appreciate Southwest's network and flexible policies will also find significant value.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've reviewed the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comparison and decided neither card is right for you, don't fret. We've rounded up a few alternative travel cards that might be a better match.

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Tips for Application Success

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Getting approved for a top-tier travel card requires a bit of strategy. Here are our top tips to boost your chances of success.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score: Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card generally require a good to excellent credit score, typically in the 670-850 range. Your approval odds are best with a score above 700.
• Understand the Chase 5/24 rule: If you have opened five or more new credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny your application. It's crucial to check your 5/24 status before you apply.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can comfortably meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer through your natural, everyday purchases. Avoid manufacturing spend or carrying a balance just to hit the threshold.

Application Strategy:

• Time your application: Applying right before a planned large purchase is a smart way to help meet the spending requirement organically and quickly.
• Consider an upgrade: If you are an existing Southwest cardholder, you may be eligible to upgrade to the Priority Card. Contact Chase customer service to inquire about any upgrade offers available for your account.
• Add authorized users: For the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you can add authorized users at no additional annual fee. Their purchases will earn points for the primary cardmember’s account, helping you accumulate rewards faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to Southwest Airlines?

Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility allows you to use your points for Southwest flights even without holding a Southwest co-branded card.

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Which card helps more with earning the Southwest Companion Pass?

Points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, including from its welcome offer, count toward the qualifying points needed for the Companion Pass. While you can transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to book flights, these transferred points do not count toward Companion Pass qualification.

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What are the annual fees for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority cards?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has a $149 annual fee. The Southwest Priority card includes annual credits and other benefits that can help offset its higher fee for frequent flyers.

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Which card is better for international travel?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is generally more versatile for international travel because its points can be transferred to a variety of international airline and hotel partners. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card's value is concentrated within Southwest's network, which primarily serves North and Central America.