Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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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Here’s a quick look at why we think the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a solid choice.

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• This card is a cost-effective option for travelers as it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• It offers a straightforward rewards structure, earning unlimited 1.5 points on every dollar spent without any rotating categories to track.
• Since the card has no annual fee, you break even and start earning net-positive rewards with your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Enjoy flexible redemptions, allowing you to book travel your way and apply points as a statement credit against a broad range of travel and dining expenses.
• Bank of America® Preferred Rewards members can significantly increase their rewards-earning potential.
• Points don't expire while the account is active, so you can save up for a big trip without worry.

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Cons

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• The card lacks bonus spending categories and premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access.
• Redemption options are limited, as points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs for potentially higher value.
• To unlock the card's highest earning potential, you need to be a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, which requires holding significant balances with the bank.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Bank of America Travel Rewards, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty. One card is built for dedicated fans of a specific airline, while the other offers broad flexibility for the casual traveler.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and those loyal to the airline, especially travelers looking to earn elite status or the coveted Companion Pass®.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is ideal for beginners, occasional travelers, or those who prefer a simple, single-card strategy with flexible rewards.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed within the Southwest ecosystem, primarily for flights with the airline, but can also be used for partner travel purchases like hotels and car rentals.

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are redeemed as a flexible statement credit to offset a wide range of travel purchases, from flights and hotels to baggage fees, without brand or portal restrictions.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card operates within a closed ecosystem, with rewards primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest.com. It offers several airline-specific benefits, including an annual travel credit for Southwest purchases, upgraded boardings, and credits for inflight purchases. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees, but it does not include general airport lounge access.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: Offering maximum flexibility, this card allows you to redeem points as a statement credit against nearly any travel purchase, regardless of the airline, hotel, or booking site used. While there is a Bank of America Travel Center for booking, you are not required to use it. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel. It does not typically offer perks like lounge access, but Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn at a higher rate.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that eliminates the guesswork by allowing you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your actual spending data.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with any card based on your real spending history—no application or hard credit pull required.
• Personalized approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card’s own rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Data-driven recommendations: Receive personalized card recommendations that are optimal for your unique spending habits, not generic lists.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for the airline's most loyal customers—those who fly frequently and want to maximize their travel experience. It's an ideal choice for travelers aiming to earn A-List status or the highly sought-after Companion Pass®, as the card helps you accumulate qualifying points faster. Ultimately, flyers who can consistently take advantage of the annual travel credit and upgraded boarding will get the most out of this premium card.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Travel Rewards?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards card is ideal for beginners and casual travelers who want a straightforward, no-annual-fee card for all their spending. Its value is significantly boosted for existing Bank of America customers, who can earn up to a 75% bonus on rewards through the Preferred Rewards program. As this card review explains, it's also a great starter option for students building credit or anyone who prefers a simple, one-card strategy.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Bank of America® Travel Rewards comparison didn't yield a winner for you? No problem—let's explore a few other top travel cards that could be a better fit.

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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.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Review issuer rules: Look into any application restrictions or bonus eligibility rules before applying.

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Application Strategy

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• Leverage existing relationships: Some issuers may offer enhanced benefits or approval odds to their existing banking customers.
• Try different methods: Offers can sometimes vary between online, in-branch, or targeted mail applications.
• Pick the right card for you: Choose a card that aligns with your habits, such as a co-branded airline card for loyal flyers or a simple card for beginners.

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 transfer points between the Southwest Priority Card and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

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No, you cannot transfer points between these two cards as they operate on separate, unaffiliated loyalty programs. Points earned with the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card go to your Rapid Rewards account, while points from the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card are managed through Bank of America.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is generally more flexible for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees and rewards can be redeemed for any travel purchase. The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is best for travel to Southwest's international destinations, but it does carry a foreign transaction fee.

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How do I redeem rewards with each card?

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With the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you redeem points for flights directly on Southwest's website. For the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, you redeem points as a flexible statement credit against travel and dining purchases.

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Do points earned from these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your loyalty account remains open. Similarly, points earned with the Bank of America Travel Rewards card will not expire as long as your credit card account is open and in good standing.

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