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

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card stands out.

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• The card offers a simple rewards structure, earning 2 points per dollar on Southwest® purchases, plus at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 spent annually.
• The 3,000 anniversary bonus points and two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits (valued at up to $50) help offset the annual fee (See Rates & Fees), making it easier to get positive value from the card (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• All points earned with the card—including from the welcome bonus and everyday spending—count toward qualifying for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Cardholders receive annual perks like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits, providing consistent value for travelers.
• The card comes with useful travel and purchase protections, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and extended warranty coverage.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel benefits common to other travel cards, such as airport lounge access or upgraded boarding.
• The rewards program is less flexible, as points cannot be transferred to other airlines and offer the most value primarily when redeemed for Southwest flights.
• Bonus earning categories are more limited compared to competing travel cards, and it doesn't include an annual travel credit.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, depends entirely on your travel frequency and desired perks. Both cards cater to Southwest flyers but are designed for different levels of engagement with the airline.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This mid-tier card is best for semifrequent or loyal Southwest flyers who want day-of-travel benefits and perks that help offset the annual fee.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This entry-level card is ideal for budget-conscious or occasional Southwest flyers and those new to travel rewards who want a straightforward way to earn points toward the Companion Pass.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card can be redeemed for Southwest flights, gift cards, merchandise, and other travel-related purchases. The redemption options are designed to provide value and flexibility for those who fly regularly with the airline.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card's points are also redeemable for Southwest flights and other rewards, offering a straightforward way for less frequent travelers to earn award travel. It provides a simple entry point into redeeming points for flights without more complex travel benefits.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Premier card is the better option for international travel as it does not charge foreign transaction fees, while the Plus card does.
• Path to Elite Status: For those chasing A-List status, the Premier card offers a boost by awarding Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) based on spending, a feature not available on the Plus card.
• Annual and Inflight Perks: While both cards offer anniversary points, the Premier card provides a higher number of points each year. Additionally, Premier cardholders benefit from statement credits for inflight Wi-Fi purchases, a perk not included with the Plus card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos can help by analyzing your spending to find the best card for you, evaluating nearly 3,000 different credit cards.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new credit card using your actual spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of signing up, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your card's rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a solid mid-tier option for travelers who fly with the airline semi-frequently and want to earn points and enjoy travel perks without committing to a premium card's high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those looking to fast-track their way to A-List elite status or the coveted Companion Pass, thanks to its built-in qualifying point boosts. Ultimately, this card strikes a balance between a moderate annual fee and valuable benefits, making it a popular choice among Southwest loyalists.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want airline-specific benefits without a hefty annual fee. It's also strategically valuable for those working toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned contribute to the qualification requirement. Ultimately, this card serves as a strong entry point for beginners in the travel rewards space or for Southwest loyalists who don't need the premium perks of a higher-tier card.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison has you thinking neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that can help you achieve your 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review application rules - Be aware of issuer-specific policies that may affect your eligibility for a welcome bonus.
• Have a goal for your points - Plan how you will use your rewards, such as earning the coveted Companion Pass.

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Application Strategy

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• Mind the 5/24 rule - Chase may deny your application if you have opened too many recent credit accounts.
• Confirm your bonus eligibility - You may not qualify for a welcome offer if you have recently held a similar card.
• Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum 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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Can I own both the Southwest Premier and Plus cards at the same time?

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Chase, the card issuer, generally restricts customers from holding multiple personal Southwest credit cards. You will likely need to choose between the Premier and the Plus card.

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Which card is better for traveling abroad?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the better option for international travel as it charges no foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card does come with a foreign transaction fee.

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Do the anniversary points from these cards count toward the Companion Pass?

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Yes, the anniversary bonus points you receive from both the Premier and Plus cards are considered Companion Pass qualifying points. This provides a helpful annual boost toward earning one of Southwest's most valuable perks.

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