IHG One Rewards Traveler 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 Credit Card stands out.

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• It offers a simple rewards structure that earns extra points on Southwest flights and everyday purchases like gas and groceries.
• While it comes with an annual fee, the card includes useful travel benefits like two EarlyBird Check-In® credits each year and purchase protection.
• The 3,000 anniversary bonus points combined with the value of two EarlyBird Check-In® credits can offset the card's annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Points earned with the card count toward the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Includes useful travel benefits like EarlyBird Check-In® credits and travel protections for delayed or lost luggage.
• Provides consumer protections for purchases, such as coverage against damage or theft and extended warranty protection.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or upgraded boarding.
• Points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights, offering less flexibility than other travel rewards programs.
• The card's bonus earning categories are not as broad as some competing travel cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty. One card focuses on hotel stays, while the other is tailored for a specific airline.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is best for occasional IHG hotel guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It's also a good entry point for those new to hotel rewards programs.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for occasional Southwest flyers and those working toward earning the valuable Southwest Companion Pass. It suits travelers loyal to the airline who want to maximize their rewards.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels, which includes a wide range of brands from budget to luxury. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases or transfer them to airline partners.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus: Points are redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, and the number of points required is directly tied to the cash price of the ticket. Your points can also be used for other travel purchases like international flights on other carriers, hotels, and rental cars.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: As a no-annual-fee card, its travel perks are modest and centered on the IHG hotel ecosystem. Cardholders won't find premium benefits like airport lounge access. The card is best used for domestic travel, as it does include a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built entirely around Southwest Airlines. While it lacks luxury perks like lounge access and does charge a foreign transaction fee, it offers practical benefits for Southwest flyers. These can include anniversary bonus points and credits toward EarlyBird Check-In®, enhancing the travel experience within the airline's network.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending history—all without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your transaction history.
• Detailed approval odds: Understand your chances of getting approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Extra rewards and bonuses: Access special sign-up bonuses and earn additional rewards on top of your card's regular earnings when you shop.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a great fit for occasional IHG hotel guests who want to earn rewards without the commitment of an annual fee. It's also ideal for budget-conscious travelers or those new to hotel loyalty programs who are looking for basic travel protections and a way to earn points on everyday spending. As detailed in a comprehensive card review, it's particularly valuable for those who can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on longer award stays.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and credit card beginners who fly with the airline occasionally. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned with the card count toward qualification. As detailed in a complete 2025 guide, this card provides a low-cost entry into the Southwest ecosystem, offering perks like anniversary bonus points without a premium price tag.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison didn't point you to a clear winner, you may need a different kind of travel card. Here are a few other top-tier alternatives to consider.

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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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most successful applicants have good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome bonus.
• Know the perks - Understand the card’s unique benefits to maximize your rewards from day one.

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Application Strategy

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• Use a trusted platform - Compare offers to ensure you're getting the best available deal.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of any application restrictions that might affect your approval.
• Time your application - Apply when it aligns with your spending habits and long-term rewards goals.

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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Can I transfer points between IHG and Southwest?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the IHG One Rewards and Southwest Rapid Rewards programs. They are separate loyalty programs with distinct point currencies.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card may offer more value for international travel due to IHG's large global footprint of hotels. Southwest Airlines, in contrast, primarily serves destinations in North America and the Caribbean.

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Do the points I earn with these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. IHG One Rewards points can expire after 12 months of inactivity, but using your IHG co-branded credit card is one way to keep your points active.

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