Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7579", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Wyndham Loyalists"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card.

‍

• It offers generous rewards on everyday spending categories, including accelerated points on gas, dining, and grocery purchases.
• Cardholders automatically receive PLATINUM elite status with Wyndham Rewards, unlocking travel perks, although the card does have an annual fee.
• The annual anniversary bonus of 7,500 points is enough for up to one free night, which can offset the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• A generous welcome offer for new cardholders after meeting minimum spending requirements.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Flexible redemption options, including the ability to transfer points to airline partners.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card has an annual fee but doesn't offer a complimentary anniversary night certificate, a perk common among competing hotel cards.
• Points offer the best value when redeemed for Wyndham hotel stays, making the rewards program less flexible than general travel cards.
• It lacks some benefits found on other cards, such as cell phone protection.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

‍

Categories

‍

When considering which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Wyndham Earner Plus, the choice ultimately depends on whether your travels take you more often to the skies or to hotel stays.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This is an airline co-branded card designed for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to Southwest Airlines.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: As a hotel credit card, this option is best for travelers who frequently stay at properties within the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

‍

Redemption

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, offering a straightforward way to book award travel. While other options like merchandise and gift cards exist, using points for flights typically provides the most value.

‍

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Points earned with this card are best used for free night stays at thousands of participating Wyndham Hotels & Resorts worldwide. Redemptions can also be used for tours, activities, and gift cards, providing some flexibility beyond just hotel stays.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card charge a foreign transaction fee, making them less than ideal for purchases made abroad.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither of these cards includes airport lounge access as a benefit.
• Travel Network: The Southwest card's ecosystem is focused on its flight network, which is robust across the United States with additional routes to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. In contrast, the Wyndham card taps into a vast global network of hotels and resorts, offering a significantly larger international footprint for accommodations.
• Elite Status & Perks: The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card automatically grants you Gold status, providing perks like late checkout. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers benefits tailored to its airline, such as two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year and bonus points on your card anniversary.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

‍

• The platform's "Test Drive" feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card by analyzing your actual transaction history, all without a hard credit pull.
• Receive personalized card suggestions tailored to your spending patterns to ensure you're maximizing potential rewards.
• Get access to a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Understand your approval odds for different cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost and use the autofill feature to automatically select the best card for you at checkout.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

‍

According to a 2025 card review, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want access to the airline's perks without a hefty annual fee. It's also a strategic tool for those working towards the coveted Southwest Companion Pass or for credit card beginners just starting their journey into travel rewards. Ultimately, this card serves as a perfect entry point for Southwest loyalists looking to maximize their rewards on flights and everyday spending.

Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?

‍

The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailor-made for loyalists of the Wyndham brand who frequently stay at its hotels, vacation rentals, or timeshares. As a detailed card review highlights, it's particularly valuable for those looking to maximize earnings on everyday spending, with high rewards rates on gas, dining, and groceries. Ultimately, this card best serves travelers who want to accelerate their point accumulation for free nights and enjoy the immediate benefits of automatic Platinum elite status.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus comparison has you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements without going into debt.
• Research the benefits - Know how you’ll use the card’s unique perks, like elite status or companion passes.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application - Align it with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Know the issuer rules - Be aware of guidelines like Chase's 5/24 rule that could impact your approval.
• Don't settle for less - If you receive a subpar welcome offer, you can often decline it and try again later.

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

‍

What are the best ways to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points?

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, as the point value is tied to the cash price of the ticket. You can also use them for international flights, gift cards, and merchandise, though these redemptions typically offer a lower value.

‍

Can I use Wyndham Rewards points for anything other than hotel stays?

‍

Yes, while Wyndham Rewards points are best used for free nights at Wyndham properties, you can also redeem them for other options. These include tours, activities, and transfers to some airline partners.

‍

Which card is better for someone who doesn't travel frequently?

‍

For infrequent travelers, the better card depends on your spending habits and travel style when you do travel. Consider which program's footprint, Southwest's flight network or Wyndham's hotel locations, better aligns with your occasional trips.

‍