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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Capital One SavorOne: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers and Southwest loyalists looking to earn points on flights and work towards the coveted Companion Pass.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: A great choice for earning unlimited cash back on everyday spending categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at the specific perks and rewards that make this card a strong contender for frequent flyers.
- All points earned on the card count toward the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass®.
- The card offers valuable travel protections and perks like complimentary EarlyBird Check-In® credits to improve your travel experience.
- It provides an accessible entry point into the Southwest rewards ecosystem with ongoing value from an annual points bonus and everyday spending categories.
Pros
- All points earned with the card count toward the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the best perks in travel.
- Cardholders receive an anniversary points bonus each year and get complimentary EarlyBird Check-In® credits annually.
- The card offers accelerated points-earning on Southwest purchases, as well as at gas stations and grocery stores.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, upgraded boarding, or in-flight discounts.
- Points have limited redemption flexibility and are most valuable when used for Southwest flights.
- The card’s earning structure is less generous than some competing travel cards.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the Capital One SavorOne Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card a standout choice for foodies and entertainment lovers.
- You can earn elevated rewards on a wide range of everyday purchases, including dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- The rewards program is straightforward, with no rotating categories to track and flexible redemption options that let you use your cash back for any amount.
- It's a great travel companion, offering bonus rewards on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad.
Pros
- Generous and unlimited cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
- Flexible redemption options with no minimum amount, and rewards do not expire for the life of the account.
Cons
- An annual fee may cut into your cash back earnings.
- No welcome offer for new cardholders or an introductory APR on purchases.
- The elevated rewards rate for grocery stores excludes purchases at superstores like Walmart® and Target®.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Categories
Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Capital One SavorOne, comes down to your primary spending habits and travel preferences.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for those who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines. It also offers rewards on everyday purchases like gas and at grocery stores.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card excels for everyday spending, offering rewards on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. It also provides rewards for travel booked through the issuer's portal.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use your points for other travel-related purchases like international flights, hotel stays, and car rentals.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card earns cash back, which you can redeem in several flexible ways, including as a statement credit or a check. You can also use your rewards to cover recent purchases or book travel through the Capital One portal.
Travel Perks
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is built for travelers who want flexibility and savings. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for international adventures. While it doesn't include airport lounge access, you can book travel through the Capital One Travel portal. Your rewards can be redeemed for travel purchases or converted to miles with various airline partners.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Designed for the dedicated Southwest enthusiast, this card's travel benefits are tightly integrated with the airline. Miles are used to book flights directly with Southwest, though they can also be redeemed for international flights, hotels, and car rentals through its partners. Keep in mind that this card does have a foreign transaction fee, and it does not provide airport lounge access.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos can help by evaluating nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Simulate potential earnings from any card using your actual spending data with the 'Test Drive' feature, which shows you a detailed breakdown of annual rewards before you apply.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of applying.
- Stack extra rewards on top of your credit card earnings by shopping with Kudos Boost.
- Get a $20 sign-up bonus with the code 'GET20' after making an eligible Kudos Boost purchase of $30 or more.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent entry point for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those new to travel rewards or individuals aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points contribute to the qualification threshold. With benefits like annual bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits, the card provides tangible value that can easily offset its modest annual fee for loyal Southwest customers.
Who Should Choose the Capital One SavorOne Rewards?
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong contender for individuals with fair credit who want to earn rewards while strengthening their credit history. It’s particularly well-suited for those whose regular spending includes dining out, entertainment, popular streaming services, and trips to the grocery store. Ultimately, this card is best for users who can spend at least $1,300 a year in the bonus categories to offset the $39 annual fee and who value earning straightforward cash back on everyday life.
Alternatives to Consider
Perhaps our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Capital One SavorOne comparison has left you undecided, or you've concluded that neither card is the right fit. If that's the case, let's look at a few other cards that might better suit your needs.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure it aligns with the card's requirements, which can range from fair to excellent.
- Plan your spending to meet any welcome offer requirements without overextending your budget.
- Research the card’s benefits to confirm perks like travel credits or bonus cash back categories match your lifestyle.
Application Strategy
- Use pre-approval tools to check eligibility without a hard credit inquiry.
- Consider your existing relationship with the card issuer, as it may influence approval.
- Align your application timing with major goals, such as earning a companion pass within a calendar year.
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 frequent Southwest flyers?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is specifically designed for those who fly with Southwest Airlines often, offering benefits and rewards tailored to the airline's loyalty program.
Which card is better for everyday spending and dining?
The Capital One SavorOne card typically offers stronger rewards on common spending categories like dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores, making it a great choice for daily use.
Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and the Capital One SavorOne cards?
Yes, it is possible to have both cards. Many people use a co-branded airline card for travel benefits and a separate cash back or general rewards card for their everyday purchases.
How do the rewards programs differ in flexibility?
The Southwest card earns points specifically for the Rapid Rewards program, while the SavorOne card earns cash back that can be redeemed in more flexible ways, such as for statement credits.
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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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