Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 closer look at the specific features that make the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) a standout option for luxury travel.

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• It provides access to an extensive global network of airport lounges, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges.
• Cardmembers receive complimentary elite status with major hotel partners and access to exclusive benefits at luxury properties.
• The card delivers exceptional value through generous rewards on travel and a suite of credits for dining, entertainment, and more.

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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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• Unparalleled airport lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
• A generous collection of annual statement credits for travel, entertainment, and shopping.
• Complimentary elite status with partner hotel programs and access to exclusive benefits through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

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Cons

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• The card carries a substantial annual fee, which requires you to take full advantage of its benefits to make it worthwhile.
• Many of the statement credits and perks require manual enrollment and have specific terms, adding a layer of complexity to maximizing their value.
• Reward earnings are heavily concentrated on travel bookings, with limited bonus opportunities for everyday spending.

American Express Platinum Card® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or Amex Platinum, depends entirely on your travel habits and brand loyalty. One card is tailored for dedicated fans of a specific airline, while the other caters to travelers seeking broad luxury perks across many brands.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card - This card is best for Southwest loyalists and those who frequently fly with the airline. It is specifically designed to deliver exceptional value and an enhanced travel experience for travelers who primarily use Southwest’s network.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express - This card is ideal for frequent travelers who can take advantage of luxury travel perks. It excels at providing value to those who regularly fly and stay in hotels and are seeking premium travel experiences.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed primarily for flights within the Southwest Airlines network, making it straightforward for cardholders to book award travel. This is ideal for those who consistently fly with the airline.

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The Platinum Card® from American Express: Membership Rewards® points offer significant flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. You can also book travel directly through American Express Travel for premium experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is centered entirely on Southwest Airlines. Travel is booked directly through Southwest's platform, integrating seamlessly with the Rapid Rewards program. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel. The card does not include airport lounge access, focusing instead on perks directly related to the Southwest flying experience, such as upgraded boardings.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: The ecosystem for this card is built around luxury and flexibility. Cardholders have access to the American Express Travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and more, including the exclusive Fine Hotels + Resorts® program. A key feature is access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, which includes the prestigious Centurion® Lounges (Terms Apply). Like the Southwest card, it also has no foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• The 'Test Drive' feature allows you to simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending history, all before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee ensures that if you find a better offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores, on top of your regular card rewards.
• Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for the dedicated Southwest loyalist who flies the airline several times a year. This cardholder is typically focused on maximizing their travel, whether by earning Tier Qualifying Points toward elite status or accumulating points for the coveted Companion Pass®. Ultimately, it's the perfect fit for travelers whose spending and flying habits allow them to fully leverage the card's annual travel credit and upgraded boarding perks, easily justifying the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?

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The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury and can maximize a suite of premium benefits. This cardholder is someone who regularly takes to the skies, making full use of the extensive airport lounge access, and stays at high-end hotels where they can leverage elite status and property credits. They also have spending habits that align with the card’s various statement credits—from digital entertainment and Uber rides to Saks Fifth Avenue—ensuring they extract enough value to easily offset the substantial annual fee (Terms Apply).

Alternatives to Consider

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs Amex Platinum comparison highlights two very different, top-tier travel cards. But if neither the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card nor the American Express® Platinum Card® fits your spending habits or travel style, here are a few other cards to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Good to excellent credit is typically required for premium card approval.
• Plan your spending – Ensure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement naturally.
• Review the benefits – Make sure the card’s perks align with your actual travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Use a trusted platform to find the best available Welcome Offer for your chosen card.
• Time your application to align with strategic goals, such as earning a Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Be aware of issuer-specific rules that could impact your eligibility for a new card.

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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Which card is better for frequent Southwest flyers?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailored for Southwest loyalists, offering benefits like an annual travel credit and anniversary points. It is the superior choice if you primarily fly with that airline.

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Which card offers more flexible travel rewards?

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The American Express® Platinum Card provides greater flexibility, as its Membership Rewards points can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners (Terms Apply). This makes it ideal for travelers who are not committed to a single airline brand.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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The American Express® Platinum Card grants cardholders access to the extensive Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges (Terms Apply). The Southwest Priority Card does not include lounge access but offers other valuable travel perks.

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