Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Amex Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?

American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here's a breakdown of why the American Express Platinum Card®(See Rates & Fees) is a perennial favorite for those seeking luxury travel perks and premium benefits.

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• It offers unparalleled access to a global network of airport lounges, making travel more comfortable.
• The card provides a suite of annual statement credits that can offset costs for travel, dining, and entertainment.
• Cardmembers can enjoy elevated travel experiences through premium hotel benefits and exclusive dining access.

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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.}

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Pros

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• Offers some of the most comprehensive airport lounge access available from a credit card, including the exclusive Centurion Lounge network.
• Provides a valuable collection of annual statement credits that can be used for travel, digital entertainment, and retail purchases.
• Includes complimentary elite status with major hotel loyalty programs, unlocking perks like room upgrades and other on-property benefits.

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Cons

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• Carries a high annual fee that requires cardholders to actively use its benefits to get full value.
• Many of the card's statement credits and benefits require manual enrollment and careful tracking to maximize.
• Reward earnings on everyday spending categories are not as competitive as some other premium cards.

American Express Platinum Card® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the American Express Platinum Card®, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending style. Each card caters to a very different type of traveler, making the choice a personal one based on what you value most.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This card is best for semi-frequent Southwest flyers who want a balance of airline-specific perks and a moderate annual fee. It's a mid-tier option for those who fly with the airline occasionally and want to enjoy day-of-travel benefits.
• American Express Platinum Card®: This card is designed for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of luxury travel perks and extensive airport lounge access. It's also a great fit for those who value exclusive experiences and premium services.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: Rewards are redeemed as Rapid Rewards points, which are primarily used for booking flights directly with Southwest Airlines. This creates a straightforward redemption process for travel within the airline's network.

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American Express Platinum Card®: This card earns Membership Rewards points, which are known for their flexibility and can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners. You can also redeem them for travel booked through the American Express portal, offering multiple avenues to leverage your rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: The travel ecosystem is built exclusively around Southwest Airlines. Redemptions and bookings are made directly through the airline's platform. While it provides some airline-specific travel benefits, it does not offer broad airport lounge access and does include a foreign transaction fee.
• American Express Platinum Card®: This card unlocks a vast and flexible travel ecosystem. It provides access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide. Points can be redeemed through the AmexTravel portal or transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. The card does not have a foreign transaction fee, making it well-suited for international journeys.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply, eliminating the guesswork.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of approval for different cards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Comprehensive card explorer: Access a tool with nearly 3,000 credit cards to independently research and compare your options.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semifrequent Southwest flyers who want a balance of useful perks and a moderate annual fee. As the mid-tier option among Southwest's personal cards, it suits travelers who fly occasionally but desire more benefits than the entry-level card offers, without the higher cost of the top-tier card. It's best for those who will take advantage of benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and anniversary bonus points to offset the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for frequent travelers who value luxury experiences and can maximize a wide array of premium benefits. This cardholder typically takes full advantage of perks like extensive airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and various annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and retail. Ultimately, it's the perfect fit for someone whose spending habits naturally align with the card's benefits, allowing them to easily offset the substantial annual fee through the value they receive.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express comparison didn't convince you? That's perfectly fine, as the world of travel rewards cards is vast and has something for everyone.

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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 profile for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without going into debt.
• Know the rules – Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, like Chase’s 5/24 rule or Amex’s once-per-lifetime bonus policies.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement naturally.
• Look for targeted offers – Check for elevated bonuses through referral links or card-matching tools that may provide better welcome offers.
• Don't settle for less – If you receive a subpar welcome offer, consider declining and trying again later for a better one.

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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Is the high annual fee on the American Express Platinum card justified?

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The justification for the American Express® Platinum Card's annual fee depends on how much you value its extensive travel and lifestyle benefits, such as lounge access and statement credits (Terms Apply). If you can maximize these perks, the fee can easily pay for itself.

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Can I use points from both cards to book flights on other airlines?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points are primarily for booking flights on Southwest Airlines. In contrast, American Express Membership Rewards points offer more flexibility, as they can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.

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Which card is better for a frequent Southwest flyer?

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For travelers who fly Southwest Airlines regularly, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is typically the better choice due to its airline-specific benefits and rewards. The card helps you earn points directly applicable to Southwest flights and can help you qualify for the coveted Companion Pass.

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