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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs IHG One Rewards Traveler: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers looking to earn rewards on travel, groceries, and restaurants while accelerating their progress toward elite status.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is great for budget-conscious travelers who stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the primary reasons we believe the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card is a top-tier choice for the airline's loyal customers.
- It comes loaded with premium travel perks like an annual Southwest travel credit, anniversary bonus points, and upgraded boardings that help justify its annual fee.
- Cardholders can fast-track their way to the valuable Southwest Companion Pass® and elite status, as all points earned count toward qualification.
- The combination of the $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 6,000 anniversary bonus points can offset a large part of the card’s annual fee each year (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Generous annual travel credits and anniversary bonus points help offset the card's annual fee.
- Provides a clear pathway to earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass® and A-List elite status through everyday spending.
- Enhances the travel experience with valuable perks like upgraded boardings, inflight purchase rebates, and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The card’s value is heavily tied to flying Southwest, as its rewards and benefits offer limited flexibility for other airlines or redemption types.
- Despite its premium positioning and higher annual fee, it lacks key perks found on competing travel cards, such as airport lounge access.
- Lacks an introductory APR offer, and several key benefits come with usage limitations or caps.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why the IHG One Rewards Traveler card stands out.
- With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is a cost-effective choice for international travelers.
- Cardholders automatically receive Silver Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program, unlocking access to member benefits.
- Since the card has no annual fee, you'll get positive value from your very first stay, especially when using the fourth-night-free benefit on award bookings (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A generous welcome bonus helps you quickly accumulate points for reward nights after meeting initial spending requirements.
- Points don't expire for active cardmembers, and you get a discount when purchasing additional points to top off your account.
- The fourth-night-free benefit on award stays of four or more nights provides significant value for longer hotel redemptions.
Cons
- The card's rewards program offers a lower point value compared to premium travel cards, and the included Silver Elite status provides minimal perks.
- It lacks premium travel benefits commonly found on other travel cards, such as comprehensive travel protections or airport lounge access.
- Redemption options can be limited, with high point requirements at popular hotels and potential resort fees on award stays.
IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or IHG One Rewards Traveler, depends entirely on your travel style and brand loyalty.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and those loyal to the airline, especially travelers looking to earn the Companion Pass® or who primarily fly domestically.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is ideal for occasional IHG hotel guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn hotel rewards without committing to an annual fee.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases like international flights, hotels, and car rentals through their portal.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Cardholders redeem points for hotel stays across the IHG family of brands, which includes everything from budget-friendly to luxury properties. Points can cover the full cost of a night or be combined with cash for more flexibility.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is deeply integrated with the airline itself, offering a suite of perks designed to elevate the Southwest travel experience. Cardmembers benefit from an annual travel credit applicable to Southwest purchases, a number of Upgraded Boardings each year, and discounts on inflight Wi-Fi and drinks. The card also helps with loyalty goals by awarding bonus points on your card anniversary and contributing tier qualifying points toward A-List status. It does not have foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel where Southwest flies.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card’s benefits are focused squarely on enhancing stays within the IHG portfolio. It grants cardholders automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status, unlocking on-property benefits. A standout feature is the fourth reward night free, which provides significant value for longer award stays. However, travelers should be aware that this card does include a foreign transaction fee.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.
- The platform’s “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate how any credit card would perform with your actual spending history, showing you projected earnings before you apply.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months of approval.
- Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, on top of your regular card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
- Receive personalized card recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards to find the best fit for your spending patterns.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyalists of the airline who fly frequently enough to maximize its travel-focused perks. It's particularly valuable for travelers aiming to earn A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass®, as spending on the card contributes toward both goals. Families and domestic travelers who appreciate Southwest's network and flexible policies will also find significant value in this premium card.
Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG hotel guests who want to earn rewards without the commitment of an annual fee. It serves as a great entry point for those new to hotel loyalty programs or for budget-conscious travelers seeking basic protections. Additionally, travelers who often book longer stays can maximize value with the fourth-night-free benefit, making it a compelling option for trips of four nights or more.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs IHG One Rewards Traveler comparison didn't result in a clear winner for your wallet, you're in luck. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and 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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
- Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome offer.
- Review the rules – Be aware of issuer-specific policies that may affect your eligibility for a new card or bonus.
Application Strategy
- Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
- Know the issuer's landscape – Some issuers have rules about how many cards you can open in a certain period.
- Use the right application channel – Some offers are only available through specific links or by using different browsers.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I transfer points between Southwest and IHG?
No, you cannot directly transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and IHG One Rewards. They are separate loyalty programs, so points earned in one program must be redeemed within that same program.
Which card is better for international travel?
The IHG One Rewards Traveler card is generally the stronger choice for international travel because IHG has a vast network of hotels worldwide. Southwest Airlines, in contrast, primarily serves destinations within the United States, with limited international routes.
What happens to my points if I close my credit card?
Your points are typically safe if you close either card, as they reside in your loyalty program account with either Southwest or IHG, not with the card issuer. You will, however, forfeit the ability to earn more points through card spending and lose any card-exclusive perks.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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