Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Bank of America Travel Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card.

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• This card is a great value for budget-conscious travelers since it has no annual fee (See Rates & Fees) and no foreign transaction fees.
• It offers a simple, flat-rate rewards structure on all purchases, with flexible redemption options for travel and dining.
• Spending $1,000 within the first 90 days earns you a statement credit equivalent to $250 for travel purchases (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn unlimited points on every purchase, with no need to track rotating categories or spending caps.
• Redeem points as a statement credit for a wide variety of travel and dining purchases, without being tied to a specific booking portal.
• As a Visa Signature card, it’s widely accepted worldwide and includes some basic travel protections.

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Cons

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• The flat-rate rewards structure isn't competitive for spending in popular categories like travel or dining.
• It lacks premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access or the option to transfer points to airline partners.
• The card's best rewards are reserved for those with Bank of America Preferred Rewards status, limiting its value for many users.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards 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 Bank of America® Travel Rewards, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This is a mid-tier airline card designed for semifrequent Southwest flyers. It's best for those who value day-of-travel benefits and want to earn points directly with the airline.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card is a great choice for occasional travelers or beginners looking for a simple, flexible option. It's ideal for those who aren't loyal to one airline and prefer a straightforward rewards structure.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: You earn points directly within the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, which are primarily redeemed for flights on the airline.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This card offers flexible redemption, allowing you to use points as a statement credit to erase any travel or dining purchase made on the card.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: A key perk for both cards is that neither charges foreign transaction fees, making them suitable options for international travel.
• Travel Ecosystem: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card offers ultimate flexibility, allowing you to book travel anywhere and redeem points as a statement credit. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card is tied directly to the Southwest ecosystem, with points used for booking flights and other services with the airline.
• Airline-Specific Benefits: As an airline co-branded card with an annual fee, the Southwest card comes with perks like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In®. The Bank of America card, which typically has no annual fee, does not offer these types of airline-specific benefits.
• Lounge Access: Neither of these cards includes airport lounge access, a benefit typically reserved for more premium travel credit cards.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a personalized tool that helps you compare top-rated credit cards by using your own spending data to find the best match.

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• The ability to ‘test drive’ credit cards, which uses your real transaction history to project potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations and detailed approval odds based on your credit report and spending habits.
• Unlock exclusive benefits like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward and a welcome offer guarantee.
• Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and manage all your card perks in one place.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semi-frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want a balance of travel perks and a moderate annual fee. It's a mid-tier option for those who fly with the airline occasionally and want to earn Rapid Rewards points, enjoy day-of-travel benefits, and get a boost toward earning the Companion Pass or A-List elite status. As detailed in a comprehensive review, this card is best suited for loyal Southwest customers who value the airline's specific benefits rather than premium travel perks or maximum flexibility.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card is an excellent choice for beginners and casual travelers seeking a straightforward, flat-rate rewards program without complex categories. It's particularly valuable for existing Bank of America customers, who can significantly boost their earnings through the Preferred Rewards program. Additionally, with no annual fee and a dedicated student version, this travel card is a strong option for budget-conscious users and students looking to build credit while earning rewards.

Alternatives to Consider

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After a detailed Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison, you might find that neither card is the perfect match. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and a few other options stand out for their unique benefits and earning structures.

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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.
• Review application rules: Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule, before submitting your application.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the welcome offer's spending requirement with your normal purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the card family rules: Some issuers restrict welcome offers if you have recently held a similar card.
• Leverage existing relationships: Your current bank may offer better rewards or a higher chance of approval.
• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.

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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What's the difference between airline miles and general travel rewards?

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Airline miles, like Southwest Rapid Rewards, are earned for a specific airline's loyalty program and are primarily used for booking flights with that carrier. General travel rewards, such as those from the Bank of America card, offer more flexibility by allowing you to redeem points as a statement credit against a wide variety of travel purchases.

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Can I use Southwest Rapid Rewards points on other airlines?

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No, Southwest Rapid Rewards points are exclusive to Southwest's loyalty program and can only be redeemed for flights and services with Southwest Airlines. They are not transferable to other airlines for booking flights.

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How do I redeem Bank of America Travel Rewards points?

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You can redeem Bank of America Travel Rewards points as a statement credit to offset the cost of eligible travel and dining purchases made on your card. This allows you to book travel through any platform or provider you choose and then apply your points to the charge.

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