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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Amex Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a great entry-level option for earning points on Southwest flights, as well as on gas and grocery purchases.
- The American Express® Platinum Card® is a premium travel card best suited for frequent flyers who can maximize its extensive luxury benefits, including airport lounge access and hotel credits.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card a solid choice for those who frequently fly with the airline.
- It’s an accessible entry point for earning rewards within the Southwest ecosystem.
- Every point earned brings you closer to qualifying for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
- The card includes valuable travel protections and perks like EarlyBird Check-In® credits each year.
Pros
- All points earned contribute toward qualifying for the Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.
- Cardholders receive valuable travel perks, including annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits, baggage delay insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.
- Comes with a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a limited time and an annual points bonus on your cardmember anniversary.
Cons
- It lacks premium travel benefits commonly found on higher-tier cards, such as airport lounge access or credits for upgraded boarding.
- The card is less than ideal for international travel as it charges foreign transaction fees.
- Points have limited redemption flexibility, offering the most value for Southwest flights and less for other options like merchandise or gift cards.
American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) stands out as our top pick for luxury travel.
- It provides an extensive airport lounge network and other premium travel benefits ideal for frequent travelers.
- Cardholders receive access to exclusive dining experiences, complimentary hotel status, and other luxury perks.
- The card is packed with annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and shopping that provide significant value.
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
- Unmatched airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges.
- A generous suite of annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and shopping.
- Complimentary elite status with major hotel loyalty programs and access to exclusive dining and travel perks.
Cons
- It carries one of the highest annual fees on the market, requiring significant use of its benefits to justify the cost.
- Maximizing the card's value can be complex, as many statement credits and benefits require manual enrollment and careful tracking.
- Outside of direct travel bookings, the card offers limited bonus rewards on everyday spending categories.
American Express Platinum Card® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Categories
To determine which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or Amex Platinum®, you must first consider your travel style. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, from the budget-conscious flyer to the luxury seeker.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to Southwest Airlines and are looking for a straightforward way to earn rewards without committing to a premium card.
- American Express Platinum Card®: This card is designed for frequent travelers who prioritize premium benefits, luxury perks like airport lounge access, and can take full advantage of a wide array of statement credits.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. The redemption value is straightforward, as the number of points required for a flight corresponds to its cash price.
American Express Platinum Card®: This card earns highly flexible Membership Rewards® points. Cardholders can transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel directly through American Express.
Travel Perks
- Lounge Access: The American Express Platinum Card® provides extensive airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card does not offer lounge access benefits.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: You will not be charged foreign transaction fees when using the American Express Platinum Card® abroad. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card does charge a foreign transaction fee.
- Travel Credits & Status: The American Express Platinum Card® comes with a variety of annual statement credits for travel and offers complimentary elite status with select hotel and car rental programs. Terms Apply. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card provides perks like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In vouchers.
- Booking Portals: With the American Express Platinum Card®, travel can be booked through the flexible American Express Travel portal or by transferring points to numerous partners. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is integrated with the Southwest Airlines ecosystem, with benefits used directly when booking with the airline.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, ensuring you find the best match for your unique spending habits rather than relying on generic lists.
- Test drive credit cards: Use your actual spending data to see personalized calculations of your potential earnings before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
- Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
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- Kudos Kickstart+ Rewards: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add 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 entry point for occasional Southwest flyers or beginners in the travel rewards world. It caters to budget-conscious travelers who want access to airline benefits without committing to a high annual fee. Furthermore, it's a strategic choice for Southwest loyalists looking to accumulate points toward the coveted Companion Pass.
Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?
The American Express® Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and can fully leverage a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder is someone who regularly flies and stays in hotels, allowing them to take full advantage of the comprehensive airport lounge access and complimentary hotel elite status. Ultimately, the ideal user is an organized individual whose spending habits naturally align with the card's various statement credits, ensuring they can extract enough value to easily offset the high annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Amex Platinum comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right fit, let's explore some alternatives. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might better suit your needs.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most premium cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
- Know your rewards – Research how you will use the points to maximize their value before you apply.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules – Be aware of application restrictions that could affect your approval.
- Consider your long-term strategy – Think about how a card fits with your goals, like earning a Southwest Companion Pass.
- Prepare to manage your benefits – Some cards require you to enroll in perks to maximize their value.
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 offers better airport lounge access?
The American Express® Platinum Card provides superior airport lounge access through its Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges (Terms Apply). The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card does not offer complimentary lounge access as a benefit.
Can I earn a Southwest Companion Pass with either card?
The Southwest Companion Pass can only be earned through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, and points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card count toward qualification. The American Express Platinum Card does not contribute to earning the Companion Pass.
Are points from the Amex Platinum transferable to Southwest Airlines?
No, American Express Membership Rewards points cannot be transferred directly to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. Amex has its own extensive list of airline and hotel transfer partners.
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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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