Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the Citi Double Cash® Card stands out.

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• You earn a straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay—which is awarded as flexible ThankYou® Points.
• While there's no annual fee, be aware of the balance transfer and foreign transaction fees.
• Transferring a high-interest balance could save you a significant amount in interest payments over the introductory period, easily offsetting the card's one-time transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Simple, flat-rate cash back on all purchases without rotating categories to track.
• A lengthy introductory APR period on balance transfers, ideal for consolidating debt.
• No annual fee and the flexibility to redeem rewards for cash back or convert them to ThankYou® Points.

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Cons

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• The introductory 0% APR offer doesn't apply to new purchases, only to balance transfers.
• A foreign transaction fee is charged on all purchases made outside the U.S., making it less than ideal for international travel.
• There are no bonus categories to earn accelerated rewards on spending in areas like dining or travel.

Citi Double Cash® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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When considering which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Citi Double Cash, it comes down to a choice between travel-specific benefits and straightforward cash back. Your decision will depend on whether you're a loyal airline flyer or someone who prefers flexible rewards on every purchase.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is built for travelers who frequently or occasionally fly with Southwest and want to earn airline-specific perks. It's also a strong choice for those new to travel rewards or aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass.
• Citi Double Cash® Card is best for individuals seeking simple, flat-rate cash back on all purchases without the need to track spending categories. It also stands out as a powerful tool for consolidating and paying off existing debt via a balance transfer.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Rewards are redeemed as Rapid Rewards points, which can be used to book flights on Southwest Airlines. Points can also be used for other travel purchases, such as international flights with partner airlines, hotel stays, and car rentals.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card provides cash back that can be redeemed as a statement credit, a direct deposit into a bank account, or a check. You can also convert your cash back to ThankYou® Points for more flexible travel redemption options.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is deeply integrated with the Southwest Airlines ecosystem. Points are redeemed for flights directly with the airline or used for other travel like hotels and car rentals through the More Rewards portal. Cardholders receive anniversary bonus points, two EarlyBird Check-In® services per year, and 25% back on in-flight purchases. It does not include airport lounge access and charges a foreign transaction fee.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: While not a traditional travel card, it offers significant flexibility. The cash back you earn can be applied as a statement credit against any travel purchase, regardless of where you book it. Alternatively, you can convert cash back into ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed through the Citi travel portal or transferred to various airline partners. This card does not offer travel-specific perks like lounge access or included travel insurance and does charge a foreign transaction fee.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make sure you’re choosing the right card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can “test drive” a credit card using your real spending history to see personalized earnings projections. This feature calculates your potential annual rewards and net value after fees, all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards at participating stores, which stack on top of the rewards you already earn from your credit card.
• Personalized Recommendations: The platform analyzes your spending habits to provide personalized card recommendations, helping you discover the best options for your wallet.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers, credit card beginners, and brand loyalists looking to dip their toes into the airline's rewards ecosystem. It's particularly valuable for those working toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned count toward the requirement. Ultimately, this entry-level card appeals to budget-conscious travelers who want access to key Southwest benefits without committing to a high annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who value simplicity and want to earn a high, flat-rate cash back on all their everyday spending without tracking complicated bonus categories. It's also particularly well-suited for individuals looking to pay down existing high-interest credit card debt, thanks to its industry-leading 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card is ideal for anyone seeking a powerful, no-annual-fee tool for both earning rewards and managing finances effectively, as detailed in this Citi Double Cash review.

Alternatives to Consider

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So the head-to-head Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Citi Double Cash® comparison didn't convince you? Let's take a look at a few other options that might be a better match for your spending and travel style.

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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 - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Review the card’s benefits - Familiarize yourself with the card's unique perks and how to use them to ensure they align with your goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules - Some card issuers have specific restrictions on how many cards you can open in a certain period.
• Use the right application channel - Applying through certain platforms or links can sometimes provide access to elevated offers.
• Don’t settle for a lower offer - If you don't see the best welcome offer initially, be patient and try different methods.

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 international travel?

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The Citi Double Cash Card is generally the better option for international travel because it does not charge foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card does have a foreign transaction fee, making it less suitable for purchases made outside the United States.

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What are the annual fees for each card?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card comes with an annual fee, whereas the Citi Double Cash Card typically does not. You should always review the card’s official terms and conditions for the most current fee information before applying.

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Do the rewards I earn with these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points will not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. The cash back earned with the Citi Double Cash Card, however, will expire if you go 12 months without earning any cash back from purchases or redemptions.

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Can I transfer points between the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card and the Citi Double Cash Card?

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No, you cannot transfer rewards between these two cards because they operate on separate loyalty platforms. The Southwest card earns Rapid Rewards points for the airline's program, while the Citi card earns cash back in the form of ThankYou Points.

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