Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs World of Hyatt: Which Is Better In 2025?

World of Hyatt Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like The World of Hyatt Credit Card.

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• The card offers a strong rewards rate, earning up to 9x points on Hyatt stays, and comes with an annual fee.
• Cardholders receive automatic Discoverist elite status and a head start on earning higher status tiers each year, plus no foreign transaction fees.
• The annual free night certificate at a Category 1-4 hotel can easily offset the card's annual fee, making it a great value for even infrequent Hyatt guests (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• World of Hyatt points are considered among the most valuable hotel currencies, and resort fees are waived on award stays, which enhances the value of redemptions.
• You can add authorized users at no additional cost, allowing families and partners to pool points more quickly into a single account.
• The card comes with solid travel protections, offering peace of mind when you book trips.

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Cons

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• Hyatt has a smaller global footprint than other major hotel chains, which can limit where you can earn and redeem points.
• The card only grants entry-level Discoverist status, and reaching higher tiers requires substantial spending or additional stays.
• Key benefits like the annual free night certificate are restricted to lower-category hotels, and authorized users do not receive their own set of perks.

World of Hyatt vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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When considering which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or World of Hyatt card, the choice hinges on whether your loyalty lies with a specific airline or a hotel brand. Both cards offer strong value but for very different types of travelers.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and brand loyalists. It's particularly beneficial for domestic travelers and families who can take advantage of the airline's flexible policies and extensive route network.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers who regularly stay at Hyatt properties and want to maximize hotel loyalty rewards. It provides a clear path to earning elite status and is most valuable for those who can leverage the Hyatt hotel network for their stays.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, and their value is directly tied to the ticket's cash price. This makes for a simple and transparent redemption process for loyal flyers.

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide. You can also use points for room upgrades or dining and spa experiences at participating locations.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Elite Status and Upgrades: The Hyatt card automatically grants you Discoverist status, providing perks like premium internet and preferred room placement, with a pathway to earn higher status levels that include lounge access. The Southwest card offers a more direct flight benefit with four Upgraded Boardings per year and helps you earn tier status and the Companion Pass through spending.
• Annual Credits and Certificates: With the Southwest card, you receive an annual travel credit that can be applied to flight purchases. The Hyatt card provides a valuable free night certificate each year, redeemable at a wide range of properties, plus the ability to earn a second certificate by meeting a spending threshold.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, Kudos offers a comprehensive tool that evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards to help find the best match for your spending habits.

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• The ability to ‘Test Drive’ a credit card by simulating potential earnings based on your actual spending data, all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of being approved.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Get personalized card recommendations matched to your specific spending history to maximize your earnings.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for the dedicated Southwest loyalist who frequently flies the airline for domestic trips or occasional travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. This cardholder is focused on maximizing their relationship with the airline, using the card's benefits to chase the coveted Companion Pass® or accelerate their journey to A-List status. Ultimately, it's the ideal choice for travelers who will consistently use the annual travel credit and other Southwest-specific perks, easily justifying the card's annual fee.

Who Should Choose the World of Hyatt?

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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent Hyatt guests looking to maximize rewards and benefits on their stays. It's also a great fit for travelers who want to fast-track their journey to elite status, thanks to automatic Discoverist status and a head start on qualifying nights each year. Value-oriented travelers, couples, and international jet-setters will also find significant perks, making The World of Hyatt Credit Card a compelling option for a wide range of globetrotters.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs World of Hyatt comparison didn't convince you to pick a side, there are plenty of other travel rewards cards to consider. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better match for your wallet and travel aspirations.

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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 successful applicants have good to excellent credit.
• Review issuer application rules – Some issuers have restrictions on the number of cards you can open in a certain period.
• Plan your spending in advance – Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet the spending requirement.
• Align the card with your habits – Co-branded cards offer the most value when you are loyal to that specific airline or hotel.
• Be mindful of issuer restrictions – Some issuers may limit approvals based on how many cards you've recently opened.

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 transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt?

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No, direct transfers between Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt are not possible. However, both programs are transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards®, allowing you to move points from an eligible Chase card to either loyalty account.

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Which program is better for earning free flights?

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As an airline-specific program, Southwest Rapid Rewards is the direct path to earning award flights on Southwest. While World of Hyatt points can be used for flights through its travel portal, they typically provide superior value when redeemed for hotel stays.

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What are the annual fees for the primary credit cards?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card carries a $149 annual fee, while The World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee.

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