Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here is a breakdown of why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card.

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• It offers a straightforward way to earn points on Southwest Airlines® purchases and at gas stations and grocery stores.
• While the card has an annual fee, it provides useful benefits like two EarlyBird Check-In® credits per year and anniversary bonus points.
• The combined value of the 3,000 anniversary bonus points and two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits can nearly offset the card's annual fee each year.

(publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• All points earned from spending, including any welcome bonus, contribute to qualifying for the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees.
• The card includes valuable travel protections like baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement, plus annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits to improve your boarding position.
• Cardholders receive bonus points each year on their account anniversary and other perks like a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for a limited time.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or upgraded boarding that are available with higher-tier Southwest cards.
• The rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, with points offering the most value when redeemed for Southwest flights.
• As an entry-level card, it doesn't include an annual travel credit, a perk found on many other travel cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and how frequently you fly with the airline.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is best suited for frequent Southwest flyers and loyalists who can take full advantage of its premium travel perks. It provides maximum value for those who fly several times a year and want to earn elite status faster.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent entry-level option for occasional Southwest flyers or budget-conscious travelers. It's ideal for those who want to earn rewards and work toward the Companion Pass without committing to a higher-tier card.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program for flights, hotel stays, and other travel, with the card's overall value proposition aimed at frequent flyers looking to maximize their rewards.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Cardholders redeem points through the same Rapid Rewards program, primarily for Southwest flights, making it a simple and effective way for less frequent travelers to earn award travel.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Designed for the frequent traveler, this card’s ecosystem is rich with perks. Cardholders receive an annual Southwest travel credit and four Upgraded Boardings per year. It also helps you climb the loyalty ladder by earning Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status. For international travel, it carries no foreign transaction fees, and cardholders receive bonus points on their cardmember anniversary. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, its benefits are geared toward enhancing the Southwest flight experience.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: As an entry-level card, its travel benefits are more streamlined. Cardholders receive bonus points each year on their cardmember anniversary, but it does not include an annual travel credit or Upgraded Boardings. This card is not ideal for international travel, as it charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad. Like the Priority card, it does not provide airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a data-driven tool designed to help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, ensuring you find the best option based on your actual spending patterns rather than generic advice.

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• Test drive a credit card: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your real transaction history before you apply. This feature provides an annual rewards projection and a net value calculation that factors in annual fees.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive card recommendations tailored to your spending habits, helping you confidently choose the card that will earn you the most rewards.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances for various cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Kickstart+ and Boost rewards: Unlock extra rewards by adding approved cards to your Kudos Wallet and earn additional rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for the frequent Southwest flyer who can easily take advantage of its premium perks. This includes travelers looking to earn the coveted Companion Pass®, achieve A-List status faster through Tier Qualifying Points, and offset the annual fee with the yearly travel credit. Ultimately, domestic travelers, families, and Southwest loyalists who fly the airline several times a year will extract the most value from this premium card.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent entry point for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those looking to begin their travel rewards journey or work towards the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. With perks like annual bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits, even infrequent flyers can find value in this 2025 guide.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison has you thinking neither card is the right copilot for your travel goals, don't worry. Several other excellent travel cards could be a better match for your wallet.

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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 travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.
• Review issuer application rules - Be aware of any restrictions that could affect your eligibility for a new card or its bonus.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some banks limit how many cards you can open within a certain timeframe.
• Time your application strategically - Align it with major purchases or travel plans to maximize annual benefits.
• Consider card type - Co-branded airline or hotel cards offer the most value when you're loyal to that brand.

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 earn the Southwest Companion Pass with both the Priority and Plus cards?

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Yes, points earned from either the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card count toward the qualifying points needed for the Companion Pass. This includes points earned from spending and from the cards' welcome offers.

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Do the Southwest Priority and Plus cards earn points at the same rate?

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No, their earning structures differ. While both the Priority and Plus cards earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest® purchases, the Priority card offers enhanced earning rates on other categories like local transit and select streaming services.

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Is it possible to upgrade from the Southwest Plus card to the Priority card?

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Yes, you can often request a product change from the Plus card to the Priority card by calling the issuer, Chase. Keep in mind that you typically will not be eligible to earn a welcome offer for a card you product-change to.

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