Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Capital One Venture: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn points on flights and select everyday spending categories like gas and groceries.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers seeking a simple, flat-rate rewards structure that earns flexible miles on every purchase.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2159", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Additional Travel Benefits" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here's a breakdown of why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card is a strong choice for many travelers.
- It's an accessible entry point for occasional Southwest flyers and newcomers to travel rewards who want airline-specific benefits.
- Cardholders receive valuable perks like an annual points bonus and EarlyBird Check-In® credits that provide consistent value year after year.
- Every point you earn counts toward qualifying for the highly sought-after Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the best deals in travel.
Pros
- All points earned help you qualify for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the best benefits in the travel industry.
- Comes with practical travel protections like baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement, offering peace of mind on your trips.
- Accelerated points earning on Southwest flights, plus at gas stations and grocery stores, helps you build your rewards balance faster.
Cons
- It lacks premium travel benefits found on higher-tier cards, such as airport lounge access, upgraded boarding, or credits for expedited security screening.
- Points have limited redemption flexibility, as they provide the most value when used for Southwest flights, and the card charges foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture Rewards Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "438", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "High Travel Rewards" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the Capital One Venture Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card a standout choice for travelers.
- It simplifies earning rewards with a flat-rate structure, letting you accumulate miles on every purchase without juggling bonus categories.
- You get impressive flexibility when it's time to redeem, with options to cover travel purchases or transfer miles to numerous airline and hotel partners.
- The card comes loaded with useful travel benefits, including a credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application and built-in travel protections.
Pros
- The card offers a simple rewards structure, allowing you to earn a flat rate of miles on every purchase without tracking complicated categories.
- You have a lot of flexibility when redeeming your rewards, including the option to transfer miles to numerous airline and hotel partners or cover recent travel expenses.
- It comes with useful travel benefits like no foreign transaction fees and various travel protections.
Cons
- The card includes an annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
- Transferring miles to some travel partners may not be on a 1:1 basis, which can reduce their value.
- It lacks the extensive premium travel benefits, like airport lounge access, found on higher-tier cards.
Capital One Venture Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or the Capital One Venture, ultimately depends on your personal travel style and loyalty preferences.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for budget-conscious travelers and Southwest loyalists who fly the airline several times a year. It is also an excellent choice for those working toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who prioritize a simple rewards structure and the flexibility to redeem miles with various airline and hotel partners.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines, though they can also be used for other travel purchases available in the airline's portal.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Miles can be redeemed in two main ways: either to cover the cost of recent travel purchases at a fixed rate or by transferring them to Capital One's extensive list of airline and hotel partners.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card’s travel benefits are centered around the Southwest flying experience. Cardholders receive anniversary bonus miles each year and credits toward in-flight purchases. The card also offers EarlyBird Check-In® benefits annually. A foreign transaction fee does apply to purchases made abroad.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a broader travel ecosystem with more flexibility. It features no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel. Cardholders receive access to airport lounges and a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Miles can be used through the Capital One Travel portal for bookings.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To find the best card for your specific spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using data-driven recommendations.
- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data to see a personalized projection of your rewards.
- Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card within three months of applying through Kudos, the platform will match it.
- Financial monitoring: Track your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: 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 is an excellent fit for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly useful for those looking to accumulate points toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass through everyday spending and a couple of yearly flights. This card serves as a perfect entry point for credit card beginners or loyal Southwest customers wanting to dip their toes into the airline's rewards ecosystem.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Venture Rewards?
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who value a simple, flat-rate rewards structure over tracking complicated bonus categories. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who want to earn a consistent 2X miles on all everyday spending while still getting 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. The card also appeals to users who want flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer miles to various airline and hotel partners, and who appreciate built-in travel protections without a premium-tier annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
Perhaps our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comparison left you undecided. Fortunately, there are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2894", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["2% Cash Back", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most travel reward cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending – Ensure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement without overspending.
- Research your rewards – Know if you want airline-specific points or flexible miles that transfer to partners.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically – For cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, this can maximize your window to earn a Companion Pass.
- Consider the rewards structure – A simple flat-rate card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card may suit your spending better than one with bonus categories.
- Align with large purchases – Apply before a planned large purchase to help meet any spending requirements organically.
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 loyal Southwest flyers?
For travelers who fly exclusively with Southwest Airlines, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is specifically designed to maximize rewards and benefits within that airline's ecosystem.
Which card offers more flexible travel rewards?
The Capital One Venture card generally provides more flexibility, as its miles can be used to cover a wide range of travel purchases or transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and Capital One Venture cards?
Yes, it is possible to hold both cards. Many travelers use a flexible rewards card like the Capital One Venture for general spending and a co-branded airline card for its specific carrier perks.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
.webp)
