Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card.

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• With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is a cost-effective option for both everyday spending and international travel.
• It offers a straightforward rewards structure, earning unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases without any rotating categories to track.
• You can earn a valuable statement credit by spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of opening your account (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The card features a simple, flat-rate rewards structure, so you earn points on every purchase without worrying about rotating categories or spending caps.
• Rewards are flexible and easy to redeem for statement credits against a wide variety of travel and dining purchases, with no blackout dates or booking portal restrictions.
• It's a solid companion for international travel, offering key protections and eliminating extra charges on purchases made abroad.

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Cons

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• The flat rewards rate is modest, and the card lacks bonus categories for accelerated earnings on travel or dining.
• It doesn't offer premium travel perks like airport lounge access or the ability to transfer points to airline partners.
• The card’s full earning potential is only available to Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, making it less valuable for those who don't have significant assets with the bank.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Bank of America Travel Rewards, depends entirely on your travel habits and goals. Each card is designed to benefit a different type of traveler.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is designed for travelers loyal to Southwest Airlines who want to earn airline-specific benefits. It is an excellent choice for those working toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is ideal for beginners and casual travelers seeking a simple, flexible card that isn't tied to a specific airline. It suits users who prefer a straightforward, flat-rate rewards structure for all purchases.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights with the airline, but can also be used for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel experiences.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: You can redeem points for a statement credit to cover a wide range of travel and dining purchases, offering the flexibility to book travel however you choose without being tied to a specific portal.

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Travel Perks

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• Flexibility: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to redeem points as a statement credit for travel purchases from any vendor. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card locks you into the Southwest Airlines ecosystem, with points primarily used for Southwest flights.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a better choice for international travel. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card does charge a foreign transaction fee.
• Airline-Specific Benefits: The Southwest card provides perks tailored to its flyers, such as anniversary bonus points and credits for in-flight purchases. The Bank of America® card does not offer these types of airline-specific benefits.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither card offers complimentary access to airport lounges.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards and find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Simulate your potential earnings with any card using your actual spending data—before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Personalized Matching: Receive card recommendations based on your spending history to ensure you’re maximizing rewards.
• Stack Rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost, which can be stacked on top of your existing credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.

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 looking for an entry-level travel rewards card within the Southwest ecosystem. It's particularly valuable for Southwest loyalists aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass, as all points earned count toward qualification. Even for occasional flyers, the annual 3,000 bonus points and two EarlyBird Check-In® credits provide enough value to easily offset the modest annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers seeking a straightforward rewards program without the complexity of rotating categories. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers, who can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this travel card is also a great fit for budget-conscious users, students, or anyone who prefers a simple, one-card strategy for all their spending.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison has left you undecided, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Here are a few alternative travel cards that might be a better match for your wallet.

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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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• Review your credit score - Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Assess your travel habits - Choose a card that aligns with your preferred airlines or offers flexible rewards.
• Consider issuer-specific rules - Some issuers have application restrictions or offer enhanced benefits for existing customers.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Research how you will use the points or miles to ensure the card aligns with your travel goals.
• Be mindful of issuer-specific policies, like those from Chase or Bank of America, which can affect application approvals.

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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Which card is better for beginners in travel rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is often simpler for beginners, as its points can be redeemed for statement credits against any travel purchase. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is best for those who are already committed to flying with Southwest Airlines.

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Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card or the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card better for international travel?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is generally more flexible for international travel since you can use it for various travel expenses and it typically has no foreign transaction fees. The Southwest card's value is limited to Southwest's flight network, which is primarily within the U.S. and nearby international destinations.

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What credit score do I need to get approved for these cards?

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While requirements vary, both cards generally require a good to excellent credit score, typically considered to be 670 or higher. Approval also depends on other factors like your income and existing debt, so a specific score is not a guarantee.

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