Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers looking to earn points on airline purchases as well as everyday spending at gas stations and grocery stores.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: A great choice for travelers who frequently fly to Europe on Aer Lingus or its partner airlines and want to earn rewards on flights and hotel stays.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2159", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Additional Travel Benefits" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a solid choice for Southwest flyers.
- It's a great entry-level card for earning points on everyday purchases, all of which count toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®.
- While it has an annual fee, the card provides valuable travel protections like baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.
- The 3,000 anniversary bonus points and two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits can largely offset the card's annual cost (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- It provides a clear path to the Southwest Companion Pass®, as all points earned from the welcome bonus and everyday spending count toward qualification.
- Cardholders receive valuable annual perks, including bonus points on their account anniversary and two EarlyBird Check-In® credits.
Cons
- It lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, upgraded boarding, or in-flight discounts.
- The point-earning rates are modest on purchases outside of Southwest and select bonus categories.
- Rewards have limited flexibility, as points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "29", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Travel Rewards", "headerHint" : "Best for Travelers" } ]]
Why We Like It
The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card packs a punch for a few key reasons, especially for travelers loyal to the airline and its partners.
- You'll earn an accelerated 3X Avios on flights with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and LEVEL, plus 2X Avios on hotel stays booked directly.
- It comes with an annual fee but waives foreign transaction fees, a crucial perk for spending abroad.
- The companion ticket benefit, earned after meeting an annual spending requirement, can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A generous welcome bonus for new cardholders and accelerated rewards on purchases with Aer Lingus and its airline partners.
- Valuable travel-centric benefits, including a companion ticket after meeting a spending threshold, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The card’s appeal is somewhat narrow, as its benefits and redemption options are most valuable for those who frequently fly with Aer Lingus and its partners.
- Earning the annual companion ticket requires a significant spending threshold that may be difficult for many cardholders to meet.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or the Aer Lingus Visa Signature®, comes down to your specific travel habits and loyalty.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is a great fit for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn points toward the coveted Companion Pass.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers to Ireland and Europe, particularly those loyal to Aer Lingus who can maximize the companion ticket benefit.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines, making it a straightforward system for domestic travelers.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Cardholders redeem Avios points for flights on Aer Lingus and its partner airlines, such as British Airways and Iberia, which provides more flexibility for international travel.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card operates within a closed ecosystem, with perks centered on the Southwest flying experience. While it doesn't offer lounge access, cardholders receive benefits like two EarlyBird Check-In®s each year and savings on in-flight purchases. It's important to note that this card does include a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international travel.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: This card opens up a broader international travel ecosystem. It typically has no foreign transaction fees, a significant advantage for overseas trips. While it doesn't include lounge access, it offers priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights. The main ecosystem benefit is the ability to use Avios points not just with Aer Lingus, but also with partner airlines like British Airways and Iberia, providing extensive options for European travel and beyond.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the best choice, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and find the one that best fits your spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: See exactly how much a new card would earn you before applying. Using your real spending data, Kudos provides personalized calculations showing potential annual rewards and category-by-category earnings.
- Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
- Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and beginners in the travel rewards world. It's particularly well-suited for budget-conscious travelers who want to enjoy airline perks and work toward the coveted Companion Pass without committing to a high annual fee. Southwest loyalists can also maximize their earnings on flights and everyday purchases, making it a solid entry point into the airline's rewards ecosystem.
Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?
The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers to Ireland and Europe, especially those loyal to the Irish flag carrier. It's particularly valuable for cardholders who can maximize benefits like priority boarding and the annual companion ticket. As a comprehensive review points out, the card also appeals to travelers who prefer collecting Avios points for reward flights across partner airlines.
Alternatives to Consider
If the head-to-head Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card comparison doesn't yield a clear winner for your travel style, other cards might be a better fit. Let's look at a few alternatives that offer different benefits and earning potential.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]
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
- Check your credit score: Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet spending requirements for welcome offers or valuable perks like a companion ticket.
- Understand the rewards: Know how you will use the points, whether they are tied to one airline or a broader alliance.
Application Strategy
- Consider issuer-specific application rules that may impact your eligibility.
- Align your application with specific travel goals, such as earning a companion pass.
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
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
Which card is better for domestic US travel?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is generally the stronger choice for domestic travel, given Southwest Airlines' extensive route network across the United States. The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is geared more toward transatlantic travel and flights within Europe.
Can I use points from the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card on other airlines?
Yes, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card earns Avios, which can be transferred to other airline partners like British Airways and Iberia. This flexibility allows you to book award flights across a wider network of international carriers.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card help me earn the Companion Pass?
Yes, points earned from spending and the welcome offer on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card count toward the qualifying points needed for the Southwest Companion Pass®. This popular perk allows a designated person to fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees on Southwest flights.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
.webp)
