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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers who want to maximize rewards and enjoy premium perks when flying with the airline.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: It's ideal for those who want a simple, flat-rate cash back structure for all purchases without tracking different spending categories.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a look at why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card stands out.
- It’s loaded with perks that directly improve your travel days, including an annual travel credit, anniversary points, and upgraded boarding for you and your travel companions.
- Although the card carries an annual fee, it waives foreign transaction fees, which is a significant plus for any spending abroad.
- The card’s annual fee can be effectively canceled out by using the annual Southwest travel credit and redeeming the anniversary bonus points each year. (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
- All points earned on the card count toward qualifying for the highly sought-after Southwest Companion Pass® and A-List elite status.
- Enjoy an improved travel day with benefits like complimentary upgraded boardings and early boarding for you and your travel companions.
- Redeem points with flexibility for Southwest flights, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
Cons
- Carries a higher annual fee compared to other Southwest card options and may not be worth it for infrequent Southwest flyers.
- Points are most valuable when used for Southwest flights, limiting redemption flexibility compared to other travel cards.
- Lacks certain premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access, that are often included with other travel cards.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a strong contender.
- It offers a simple and unlimited 2% cash back rate on every purchase, so you don't have to worry about tracking spending categories.
- While it does have foreign transaction fees, the card has a $0 annual fee and includes cell phone protection of up to $600 per claim.
- With no annual fee to recoup, you begin earning rewards on your spending right away. (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
- Features a simple, flat-rate rewards structure that allows you to earn unlimited cash back on all purchases.
- Provides valuable cell phone protection against damage or theft when you use the card to pay your monthly bill.
- Offers an introductory APR period on both purchases and balance transfers for new cardholders.
Cons
- It includes foreign transaction fees, making it less suitable for purchases outside the United States.
- Reward redemption options are limited, primarily offering statement credits or direct deposits to an eligible Wells Fargo account.
- Approval typically requires a good to excellent credit score.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card or the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and those loyal to the airline. It's ideal for travelers looking to earn elite status, secure a Companion Pass®, or simply maximize rewards on domestic and nearby international flights with Southwest.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card is best for users who prefer straightforward, flat-rate cash back rewards on all purchases without tracking spending categories. It's a strong choice for those who value simplicity and want benefits like cell phone protection.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for booking flights on Southwest Airlines.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash rewards that can be redeemed as a statement credit, a direct deposit into a Wells Fargo account, or even as cash from a Wells Fargo ATM.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card’s travel benefits are deeply integrated with the Southwest Airlines ecosystem. Perks include an annual travel credit for Southwest purchases, four Upgraded Boardings per year when available, and a percentage back on in-flight purchases. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel where Southwest flies.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: As a straightforward cash rewards card, it does not have a dedicated travel ecosystem or offer travel-specific benefits like lounge access or airline credits. It is important to note that this card does charge a foreign transaction fee. However, it includes cell phone protection, which can be a valuable perk for travelers concerned about damaging or losing their phone on the go.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
For a more personalized comparison, tools like Kudos can help you analyze your own spending habits against thousands of credit cards to find the perfect match.
- Test drive a credit card: Use your actual spending data to simulate the potential earnings of any card before you apply, without a hard credit pull.
- Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If a better welcome offer appears within three months of your approval, Kudos will match it.
- Personalized recommendations: Discover new credit cards that are matched to your spending history to maximize your rewards.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet.
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 like the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also a powerful tool for loyalists aiming to fast-track their way to A-List status or earn the valuable Companion Pass® through credit card spending. Ultimately, domestic travelers and families who primarily fly within Southwest's extensive network will find the most value in this premium card.
Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash®?
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® is an excellent choice for small business owners who prefer a straightforward rewards structure over complex, rotating categories. This card is particularly well-suited for those with good to excellent credit who want to earn a simple, unlimited 2% cash back on all business purchases without paying an annual fee. Additional perks, such as cell phone protection offering up to $600 per claim and a 0% introductory APR period, make this card a strong contender for everyday business spending and managing large purchases.
Alternatives to Consider
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® comparison highlights two very different types of cards, so it's understandable if neither one is perfect for your wallet. Let's explore a few other alternatives that might be a better match.
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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, as most premium cards require a good to excellent rating for approval.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any welcome offer’s minimum spend requirement.
- Review the card’s benefits, like travel credits or cell phone protection, to see how they align with your habits.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer’s rules, as some have application restrictions that could lead to an automatic denial.
- Leverage existing relationships, since some issuers may offer better approval odds or unique upgrade paths.
- Consider the card’s ecosystem to ensure its core benefits align with your spending and travel patterns.
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
How do I decide between an airline credit card and a general cash-back card?
The best choice depends on your spending habits and travel goals. If you frequently fly with one airline, a co-branded card offers tailored perks, while a cash-back card provides more flexible rewards.
Is it worth paying an annual fee for a credit card?
An annual fee can be worthwhile if the card's benefits and rewards, such as travel credits or bonus points, outweigh the yearly cost. You should calculate the potential value based on your own spending to see if it makes sense for you.
What's the difference between earning points and earning cash back?
Points are typically redeemed for travel, merchandise, or gift cards through the card issuer's portal, and their value can vary. Cash back is a more straightforward reward that can be received as a statement credit or direct deposit.
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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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