Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs British Airways Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

British Airways Visa Signature® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the British Airways Visa Signature® Card a compelling choice for many travelers.

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• The card’s rewards structure allows you to earn Avios on British Airways flights, hotel accommodations, and all other purchases.
• While it comes with an annual fee, cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees and receive valuable travel protections.
• Cardholders can offset the annual fee by spending at least $950 on British Airways flights each year to take advantage of the 10% flight discount (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn a companion ticket after meeting an annual spending requirement, allowing a travel partner to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.
• Enjoy a discount on British Airways flights and flexible reward redemptions across a wide network of partner airlines.
• Travel with peace of mind thanks to comprehensive travel protections and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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Cons

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• The card comes with an annual fee.
• There are limited redemption options outside of the British Airways partner network.
• Reward flights can incur substantial taxes and fees, and the Travel Together Ticket has specific restrictions.

British Airways Visa Signature® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or British Airways Visa Signature®, depends entirely on your travel habits. Both cards are designed for frequent travelers, but they cater to very different types of flyers.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers, particularly those who are loyal to Southwest Airlines. It serves as an excellent entry-level option for those looking to earn travel rewards without a high-end commitment.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: This card is also categorized for frequent travelers, but it specifically targets those who often fly internationally with British Airways or its partners. It's designed for consumers who can take advantage of benefits tailored to transatlantic travel.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines, making it a straightforward system especially valuable for domestic travel.

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British Airways Visa Signature® Card: You redeem points, called Avios, for flights on British Airways and its extensive network of partner airlines, which is ideal for international flyers who can navigate a more complex rewards program.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The travel ecosystem is built entirely around Southwest Airlines, which is ideal for domestic flyers. This card does have a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for purchases abroad. It does not include airport lounge access.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card: This card opens up a global travel network through British Airways and its Oneworld partners. A key perk for international travelers is that it does not have foreign transaction fees. While it doesn't offer general lounge access, its value is found in other flight-specific benefits.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards side-by-side.

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• A “Test Drive” feature that simulates your potential earnings with a new card by analyzing your actual spending history before you apply.
• New members can unlock rewards like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding eligible cards and receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Access to a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards, based on your credit report.
• The ability to earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating online stores, which stack on top of your existing card rewards.
• A browser extension that autofills the best card to use at checkout, ensuring you maximize rewards on every purchase.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned from spending and the welcome offer count toward qualification. As detailed in our complete 2025 guide, this card also serves as a great entry point for credit card beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards.

Who Should Choose the British Airways Visa Signature®?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is a top contender for frequent flyers loyal to British Airways and its oneworld alliance partners. It particularly suits those who regularly travel internationally and can spend enough to earn the valuable Travel Together Ticket for a companion. For these travelers, the ability to earn Avios on flights and hotels, combined with perks like a 10% flight discount and no foreign transaction fees, makes it a powerful tool for maximizing travel rewards, as detailed in this complete guide.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs British Airways Visa Signature comparison has you convinced that neither card is the right choice for you, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

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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, as most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for a welcome offer without carrying a balance.
• Research unique benefits like companion passes or annual credits to confirm the card aligns with your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules, as some banks have limits on how many cards you can open within a certain period.
• Time your application strategically before a large planned purchase to help meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Be patient when searching for an offer and try different methods if the best one isn't available at first.

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 my Southwest Rapid Rewards and British Airways Executive Club accounts?

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No, you cannot directly transfer rewards between the Southwest and British Airways loyalty programs. Points and Avios are earned and redeemed exclusively within their respective airline and partner networks.

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Which card's rewards are better for international flights?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card generally offers more flexibility for international travel, as its Avios can be used across the Oneworld airline alliance for extensive global reach. Southwest's flight network is primarily focused on destinations within North and Central America.

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Do the rewards earned from these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire. British Airways Avios will remain active as long as you have account activity at least once every 36 months, which is easily achieved by making purchases with the co-branded credit card.

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