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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Amex Gold: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn points on flights, gas, and groceries.
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is best for those who spend heavily on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, offering high reward rates in those categories.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of the key features that make the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card a compelling option for the airline's frequent flyers.
- This card helps you earn points toward the highly valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
- It's a great entry-level option for Southwest flyers, offering solid travel perks and an annual point bonus.
- Cardholders receive valuable travel and purchase protections, plus lifestyle benefits that extend beyond flying.
Pros
- Points earned from everyday spending and an annual bonus all count toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the most valuable perks in travel rewards.
- Enjoy practical travel perks like EarlyBird Check-In® credits and baggage insurance, plus valuable purchase and extended warranty protections.
- Beyond travel, the card includes a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a limited time, adding everyday value.
Cons
- The card lacks premium travel benefits found on higher-tier cards, such as airport lounge access or an annual travel credit.
- Points offer limited flexibility, providing the most value when redeemed for Southwest flights with no option to transfer to other airline or hotel partners.
- It is not ideal for international travel, as it may charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
American Express® Gold Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a detailed look at what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a standout choice in a competitive field.
- The card earns generous rewards on everyday purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
- You can take advantage of valuable monthly credits for dining and Uber usage in the U.S.
- Its flexible rewards program allows you to transfer points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners, perfect for planning your next trip.
Terms apply.
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.
Pros
- Excellent rewards-earning potential, especially for spending at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
- Offers valuable annual credits for dining and Uber usage in the U.S.
- Features a generous Welcome Offer and flexible point redemption options, including transfers to travel partners.
Cons
- The card carries a notable annual fee.
- Some benefits require enrollment, and statement credits are distributed in monthly increments rather than a lump sum.
- American Express isn't as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, which can be a drawback.
American Express® Gold Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or the Amex Gold, comes down to your spending habits and travel style. Each card is designed for a different type of consumer, from the budget-conscious flyer to the frequent diner.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is best for occasional or loyal Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards within the Southwest ecosystem without committing to a high annual fee.
- American Express® Gold Card is geared toward frequent travelers and foodies who spend heavily on dining out worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets and can take full advantage of the card’s statement credits.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed directly through Southwest for flights, gift cards, and other travel-related purchases, with value centered on the airline's network.
American Express® Gold Card: This card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel, statement credits, and gift cards.
Travel Perks
- Travel Ecosystem: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card operates within a closed ecosystem, meaning points are redeemed and travel is booked directly through Southwest Airlines. In contrast, the American Express® Gold Card provides access to the comprehensive American Express Travel portal and allows points to be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, offering far greater flexibility.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: For international travelers, the Amex Gold is the clear winner as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Southwest Plus card does include a foreign transaction fee for purchases made outside the United States.
- Airport Lounge Access: Neither card includes complimentary access to airport lounges.
- Additional Travel Benefits: The Southwest Plus card offers perks tailored to its flyers, such as anniversary bonus points and credits toward elite status. With the Amex Gold card, cardholders get access to The Hotel Collection, which includes benefits like a room upgrade upon availability and an experience credit on stays of two nights or more (Terms Apply).
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the decision even easier, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply, with no hard credit pull required.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, which ensures that if you find a better offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Unlock exclusive rewards and offers, including Kudos Boost for extra earnings when shopping at your favorite stores.
- Track spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your cards in a single platform.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who fly with the airline a few times a year but don't need the premium perks of a higher-tier card. It's particularly well-suited for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned with the card count toward qualification. This makes it a strong entry-level option for credit card beginners or Southwest loyalists who want to maximize their rewards without committing to a hefty annual fee.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is an ideal choice for food enthusiasts and frequent travelers looking to maximize rewards on their largest spending categories. This card is particularly valuable for those who dine out often or spend a lot on groceries, offering 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1X). Consumers who can fully utilize the card’s statement credits, such as up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, will find its benefits can easily outweigh the annual fee. Terms Apply.
Alternatives to Consider
If our comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card and the American Express® Gold Card has you looking for other options, consider these alternatives that might be a better fit for your travel and spending style.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the typical requirements for a premium rewards card.
- Plan your spending to comfortably meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
- Research the card’s benefits and redemption options to make sure they align with your lifestyle.
Application Strategy
- Consider issuer application rules - Be aware of any restrictions on new accounts or welcome offer eligibility.
- Align the card with your spending - Choose a card that rewards your most frequent purchase categories.
- Look for the best available offer - Don't rush your application if a better welcome offer might be available.
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 beginners?
For those new to travel rewards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is often more straightforward due to its simple earning structure and direct redemption process with Southwest Airlines. The American Express® Gold Card offers more complex but potentially more valuable rewards, making it better suited for those with some experience in maximizing points.
Can I transfer points between Southwest and American Express?
You cannot transfer points directly between your Southwest Rapid Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards accounts. However, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards, as Southwest is one of Amex's transfer partners.
What are the annual fees for each card?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card has a lower annual fee, making it a more budget-friendly option for loyal Southwest flyers. The American Express® Gold Card carries a higher annual fee, which is justified by its premium dining and travel benefits.
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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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