Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 why we think the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees) is a standout choice.

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• Earning cash back is refreshingly simple since you don't have to worry about activating or keeping track of rotating bonus categories.
• Cardholders receive exclusive access to unique dining, music, and sporting events through Capital One Entertainment.
• It provides flexible redemption options and includes valuable travel and purchase protections for added peace of mind.

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Pros

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• Offers generous cash back on popular spending categories, including dining, entertainment, and streaming services.
• Cardholders can access exclusive entertainment events and benefit from travel and purchase protections.
• Rewards are simple to redeem, with the added flexibility of converting cash back to miles for those who also have a Capital One Venture card.

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Cons

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• Approval generally requires a good to excellent credit score.
• Bonus rewards for grocery store spending don't apply to purchases at superstores or wholesale clubs.
• The rewards structure may not be the best fit if your spending doesn't align with its bonus categories.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card or the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, it's crucial to compare where each card delivers the most value based on your lifestyle.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and travelers loyal to the airline. It's particularly valuable for those who can maximize its Southwest-specific benefits.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for those who spend a significant amount on dining and entertainment. The card is an excellent fit for food enthusiasts and consumers who frequently enjoy entertainment activities.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Rewards are earned as points within the airline's loyalty program, which are primarily redeemed for Southwest flights and other travel-related benefits.

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers straightforward cash back on your spending, which you can redeem as a statement credit or a check.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The travel experience is deeply integrated with Southwest Airlines. Miles are earned and redeemed directly through the airline, creating a streamlined process for loyal customers. The card eliminates foreign transaction fees and provides an annual travel credit with the airline. While it doesn't offer broad airport lounge access, it focuses on perks specific to flying with Southwest.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card provides a flexible travel ecosystem not tethered to any single airline. It features access to the Capital One Travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. A key benefit for international travelers is the absence of foreign transaction fees. The card does not include airport lounge access. It functions differently from a traditional airline card, as its rewards offer the versatility to cover a wide range of travel purchases from any vendor.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision even easier, you can use a comprehensive tool like Kudos, which allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, Kudos lets you simulate your potential earnings with any card based on your real spending data. This feature gives you a personalized projection of annual rewards without impacting your credit score.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a clear analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized card matching: The platform analyzes your spending history to recommend cards that will maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for the dedicated Southwest loyalist who flies the airline multiple times per year. This cardholder is typically pursuing the valuable Companion Pass® or aiming for A-List elite status and wants to accelerate their progress through credit card spending. For them, the card's premium perks—like the $75 annual travel credit and four upgraded boardings per year—easily justify the $229 annual fee, making it a core part of their travel strategy.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideally suited for consumers who frequently dine out or spend on entertainment, from concerts to movies. It's also a strong contender for families, offering unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on popular streaming services. Additionally, travelers can benefit from the card's lack of foreign transaction fees, making it a versatile option for spending both at home and abroad.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards comparison, you may have concluded that neither card is the perfect match for your wallet. If that's the case, here are a few other top-tier 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 - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Issuers like Chase and Capital One have specific guidelines that could affect your approval.
• Align the card with your spending - Ensure the card’s top bonus categories match where you spend the most money.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically to maximize benefits like the Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Confirm how issuers categorize merchants to ensure your spending qualifies for bonus rewards.

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 Card is tailored for those who regularly fly with Southwest, providing airline-specific benefits and rewards opportunities.

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Is the Capital One Savor Card good for travel rewards?

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While the Capital One Savor Card is primarily a cash-back card focused on dining and entertainment, its rewards are flexible and can be redeemed for travel expenses.

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How do the rewards programs for these cards differ?

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The Southwest card earns Rapid Rewards points specifically for use within the airline's loyalty program, whereas the Savor card earns cash back that can be redeemed more broadly.

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