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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for frequent Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards on flights and everyday spending categories like dining and groceries.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: It's ideal for travelers who fly to Ireland and Europe and can maximize rewards by redeeming Avios points on Aer Lingus and its airline partners.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier.
- Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year and priority boarding, which enhance the Southwest flying experience.
- While the card comes with an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees and offers a strong rewards rate on Southwest purchases.
- The 6,000 bonus points you receive each anniversary can help offset a majority of the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers a suite of travel benefits designed to improve the flying experience, including priority boarding and complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins.
- Provides a clear path to earning A-List elite status and the coveted Companion Pass through card spending and annual points boosts.
- Cardholders receive an annual anniversary bonus, which can help offset the card's annual fee.
Cons
- The annual fee is not fully offset by the anniversary point bonus.
- Several bonus rewards categories are being removed, and the card lacks a bonus for gas purchases, a feature available on other Southwest cards.
- It offers fewer perks and less redemption flexibility than many other general travel rewards cards.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card a compelling choice for certain travelers.
- Cardholders earn Avios on every purchase, with accelerated rates on flights with Aer Lingus and its partners, as well as on hotel accommodations purchased directly.
- While the card comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it waives foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for international trips.
- The companion ticket, earned after meeting a specific annual spending threshold, can easily offset the card's annual fee, especially for transatlantic flights (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Earn a companion ticket for an Aer Lingus-operated flight after meeting an annual spending threshold.
- Enjoy travel-centric benefits like priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
- Flexible rewards program allows you to earn and redeem Avios points with partner airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, and others in the oneworld alliance.
Cons
- The card’s rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, with redemption options primarily focused on Aer Lingus and its partner airlines.
- Earning the companion ticket requires a significant annual spend, which may be difficult for some cardholders to achieve.
- Its overall value is highest for travelers loyal to Aer Lingus, making it less ideal for those who prefer broader travel options.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
Categories
When deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or Aer Lingus Visa Signature, it comes down to your specific travel patterns and airline loyalty.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is best suited for regular Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points and enjoy day-of-travel perks with the airline.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is ideal for travelers who frequently fly to Ireland and Europe, particularly those loyal to Aer Lingus and its airline partners.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points are redeemed directly with Southwest for flights, offering a straightforward way to book award travel on their extensive domestic and near-international network.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card: Rewards are earned as Avios, which can be used for flights on Aer Lingus or transferred to other partner airline programs like British Airways and Iberia for greater flexibility on international routes.
Travel Perks
- Companion Perks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card helps you earn toward the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®, letting a designated companion fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card provides a companion ticket each year after meeting a specific spending requirement, which can be redeemed for an economy ticket on Aer Lingus.
- Day-of-Travel Benefits: Cardholders of the Southwest Premier card receive anniversary bonus points and two EarlyBird Check-In® credits each year. The Aer Lingus card offers priority boarding on transatlantic flights operated by Aer Lingus, helping you settle in sooner.
- International Travel: Both cards are well-suited for trips abroad as they do not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.
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Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semi-frequent or loyal Southwest Airlines flyers who want to accumulate Rapid Rewards points. It's a solid mid-tier option for travelers with good credit who can take advantage of its day-of-travel perks and anniversary bonus without needing the premium benefits of a top-tier card. While not ideal for those seeking maximum flexibility, a full Southwest Premier Credit Card review shows it provides a good balance of perks for its annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Aer Lingus Visa Signature?
The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is a valuable addition for frequent flyers to Ireland and Europe, especially those loyal to Aer Lingus and its partner airlines. As one card review notes, cardholders who can meet the $30,000 annual spending requirement will unlock a valuable companion ticket, adding to perks like priority boarding. It's also an excellent choice for travelers who want to accumulate Avios points and avoid foreign transaction fees on their international purchases.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Aer Lingus Visa Signature comparison has you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards on the market that might better suit 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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Review application rules - Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, before submitting your application.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet any spending requirements for welcome offers or card benefits naturally.
Application Strategy
- Time your applications strategically to stay under issuer limits like the Chase 5/24 rule.
- Verify your eligibility for a new bonus if you already hold a similar card from the same issuer.
- Research redemption options beforehand to ensure the card’s rewards align with your travel plans.
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 domestic US travel?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card is generally the superior choice for domestic travel within the U.S., thanks to Southwest Airlines' vast domestic route network. In contrast, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card is geared more towards transatlantic flights between the U.S. and Europe.
Can I use points from one card's program on the other airline?
No, the two loyalty programs are distinct and do not allow for direct transfers between them. You cannot use Southwest Rapid Rewards points for Aer Lingus flights, nor can you use Avios earned with the Aer Lingus card to book travel on Southwest.
What kind of companion benefits do these cards offer?
The Southwest card helps you qualify for the airline's famous Companion Pass, which lets a designated person fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees. The Aer Lingus card provides a companion ticket for an economy flight on Aer Lingus after meeting an annual spending requirement.
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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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