Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Capital One Savor: Which Is Better In 2025?

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at the features that make the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) one of our top picks.

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• You’ll earn cash back on popular spending categories, including dining, entertainment, grocery stores, and streaming services.
• Cardmembers receive special access to exclusive concerts, sporting events, and dining experiences through Capital One Entertainment.
• Cashing in your rewards is straightforward, with flexible options like statement credits and direct deposits.

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Pros

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• It’s a great companion for international travel, as it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
• There’s no cap on the amount of cash back you can earn in bonus categories.
• Rewards are easy to redeem for statement credits or cash, with no minimum redemption amount.

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Cons

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• You’ll need a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
• Bonus rewards for grocery store purchases don’t apply at superstores or wholesale clubs.
• The card doesn’t come with an introductory APR offer for new purchases.

Capital One Savor Cash 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 Capital One Savor, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is tailored for those who frequently fly with the airline, offering the highest rewards on purchases made directly with Southwest.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for food enthusiasts and entertainment seekers, rewarding spending on dining and various entertainment purchases.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights. You can also use your points for other travel-related purchases like hotels, car rentals, and gift cards.

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card earns cash back that can be redeemed in several flexible ways. You can request your rewards as a statement credit to lower your account balance or receive them as a check.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built entirely around the airline's loyalty program. Miles are redeemed for Southwest flights or other travel options like hotels and car rentals through the Rapid Rewards portal. Cardholders should be aware that this card includes a foreign transaction fee and does not offer airport lounge access.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers significant travel flexibility despite not being a dedicated travel card. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, cardholders can book trips through the Capital One Travel portal, and the cash back earned can be used to offset the cost of any travel purchase, regardless of where it's booked.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending.

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• The platform's 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate how much you would earn with a new card by analyzing your actual transaction history, giving you a personalized projection of rewards and net value before you apply.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report, helping you apply with more confidence.
• Kudos offers a welcome offer guarantee, promising to match any better public offer you find for a card within three months of approval.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card's regular earnings through Kudos Boost when you shop at participating stores.
• The service can automatically select the best card in your wallet at checkout to ensure you're always maximizing rewards on every purchase.

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 solid travel perks and a moderate annual fee. It's a fitting choice for travelers who fly Southwest occasionally and desire more benefits than the entry-level card provides, without paying for the top-tier card. This card is ideal for those who value day-of-travel benefits, anniversary bonus points, and a way to earn points toward Southwest elite status and the Companion Pass.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for social spenders and families who want to earn cash back on their everyday activities without paying an annual fee. This card is tailor-made for those who frequently dine out, attend concerts or movies, and have significant spending at grocery stores. Ultimately, it's best for individuals who value straightforward, unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services and prefer a card that rewards their lifestyle.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards comparison didn't reveal a clear winner for your wallet, several other cards are worth considering. These alternatives might offer a better combination of benefits for your specific spending style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure it is in the good to excellent range required for approval.
• Review application rules, as some issuers have restrictions based on how many cards you have recently opened.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers, like Chase, have strict limits on how many cards you've recently opened.
• Time your application strategically - Apply when welcome offers are high or to take advantage of limited-time benefits.
• Understand the credit inquiry - Be aware that some issuers, like Capital One, may pull your report from all three credit bureaus.

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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How do I choose between a travel rewards card and a cash back card?

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The best choice depends on your spending habits and redemption goals. Consider whether you prefer the flexibility of cash back for any purchase or the value of points redeemed for flights with a specific airline.

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Is it a good idea to have both an airline card and a cash back card?

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Yes, many people hold both types of cards to maximize their rewards. You can use the airline card for its travel-specific benefits and the cash back card for broader spending categories like dining and entertainment.

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

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A cash back card generally offers more value and flexibility for individuals who do not travel frequently. Its rewards can be used for statement credits, making it useful for everyday expenses rather than just travel.

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