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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs JetBlue Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is best for frequent Southwest flyers looking to maximize travel perks and accelerate progress toward elite status.
- The JetBlue Plus Card is a great option for casual JetBlue travelers who want core airline benefits like a free checked bag without a high annual fee.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card is a great pick for frequent flyers of the airline.
- It comes packed with valuable airline-specific perks like an annual travel credit, anniversary bonus points, and up to four upgraded boardings per year.
- While it carries an annual fee, the card offers a strong rewards rate on Southwest purchases and doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
- The card’s annual fee is largely offset by the combination of its annual travel credit and anniversary bonus points, making it easy to justify for regular Southwest travelers (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Comes with a suite of valuable travel perks, including an annual travel credit, upgraded boardings, and rebates on inflight purchases.
- All points earned count toward the highly sought-after Southwest Companion Pass®, and spending on the card helps you qualify for elite status.
- Cardholders enjoy flexible flight redemptions with no blackout dates and pay no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- Carries a higher annual fee than other Southwest co-branded cards.
- The card’s value is significantly diminished for those who don't fly Southwest frequently.
- Lacks premium perks like airport lounge access, and points are less valuable when redeemed for anything other than Southwest flights.
JetBlue Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the JetBlue Plus Card.
- While the card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), its travel benefits can provide value that far exceeds the cost.
- It offers practical travel perks like a free first checked bag on JetBlue-operated flights and 50% off eligible in-flight purchases.
- Using the free checked bag benefit on just two round-trip flights a year can save you more than the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Valuable travel perks, including a free first checked bag for you and your travel companions and savings on in-flight purchases.
- Strong ongoing rewards value from annual bonus points and a rebate on points redeemed for flights.
- An easy-to-use annual statement credit for booking JetBlue Vacations packages.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access, priority boarding, or credits for expedited security screening programs.
- The card’s benefits and rewards are heavily tied to the JetBlue ecosystem, limiting its value for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
- Does not offer an automatic path or shortcut to earning elite airline status.
JetBlue Plus vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or JetBlue Plus, comes down to your travel habits and airline loyalty. Both cards offer compelling benefits tailored to their respective frequent flyers.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is designed for dedicated Southwest loyalists and frequent domestic travelers. It's particularly valuable for those looking to maximize Southwest-specific perks and pursue the airline's popular Companion Pass®.
- JetBlue Plus Card: As a solid mid-tier option, this card is best suited for casual to moderately frequent JetBlue flyers. It provides valuable perks for travelers who appreciate the airline's services but may not need top-tier luxury benefits.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. The redemption process is straightforward, with the point value tied directly to the fare price.
JetBlue Plus Card: Cardholders redeem their TrueBlue points for any seat on any JetBlue-operated flight, with no blackout dates. Points can also be used for vacation packages or to cover the cash portion of a Points + Cash booking.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
- Lounge Access: If you’re looking for a quiet airport oasis, you’ll have to look beyond these two cards. Neither the JetBlue Plus nor the Southwest Priority card offers complimentary lounge access.
- Booking Portals: The JetBlue Plus Card offers flexibility, allowing you to redeem points for flights, vacation packages, or a combination of points and cash. The Southwest Priority Card keeps it simple, with points redeemable for Southwest flights where the point value is tied to the current fare.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To find the best card for your wallet, a comparison tool like Kudos can help you analyze nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your unique spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
- Track your progress toward earning credit card sign-up bonuses for free.
- Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, when you shop at participating stores.
- Discover new cards with personalized matching based on your spending history.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its premium perks, such as the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also an excellent tool for loyal customers aiming to fast-track their way to A-List status or the highly sought-after Companion Pass® through qualifying points earned on spending. Beyond status chasers, the card appeals to domestic travelers and families who fly Southwest several times a year and want to maximize rewards on their travel.
Who Should Choose the JetBlue Plus?
The JetBlue Plus Card™ is an excellent choice for casual or moderately frequent JetBlue flyers who want to unlock valuable airline perks for a reasonable annual fee. It's designed for travelers who fly often enough to appreciate benefits like a free first checked bag and 5,000 anniversary bonus points but don't need the premium lounge access that comes with a higher-tier card. If you're a loyal JetBlue customer seeking to elevate your travel experience for a reasonable cost, this card hits the sweet spot, as this JetBlue card comparison explains.
Alternatives to Consider
So, you've reviewed the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs JetBlue Plus comparison and decided neither card is right for you. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options might better align with 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 premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Review issuer application rules: Many banks have restrictions on new card approvals or welcome offer eligibility based on your recent applications.
- Plan for the welcome offer: Ensure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement through your normal purchasing habits.
Application Strategy
- Consider your upgrade path: Some issuers restrict new welcome offers if you already hold a card in the same product family.
- Time your application strategically: Align your application with planned large purchases to help meet spending requirements naturally.
- Evaluate the card's ecosystem: Ensure the airline or hotel partner aligns with your actual travel patterns for long-term value.
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
Which card offers a better companion pass?
Both airlines offer a version of a companion pass, but they are earned differently. The Southwest Companion Pass is a highly-valued perk earned after accumulating a large number of points, while JetBlue offers a path to a companion pass through specific spending thresholds on the JetBlue Plus card.
Can I transfer points from other programs to Southwest or JetBlue?
Yes, both programs are transfer partners with major credit card rewards programs. You can transfer points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest Rapid Rewards and from programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Rewards to JetBlue TrueBlue.
Do the points earned with these cards expire?
JetBlue TrueBlue points do not expire. Southwest Rapid Rewards points will not expire as long as you have some qualifying account activity every 24 months, which includes earning points with your credit card.
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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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