United Quest 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’s a closer look at why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus is a solid choice for many travelers.

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• It provides a simple way to rack up points on all your Southwest Airlines® purchases, plus bonus points at gas stations and grocery stores.
• While there is an annual fee, the card comes packed with useful travel protections like baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.
• You can nearly offset the annual fee just by using the 3,000 anniversary bonus points and the two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits, which are valued at up to $50 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• All points earned help you qualify for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass®.
• Receive annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits and enjoy peace of mind with travel protections like baggage delay and lost luggage coverage.
• Get a points bonus each year on your card anniversary and earn extra points on everyday purchases like gas and groceries.

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Cons

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• It lacks premium travel perks commonly found on other travel cards, such as airport lounge access or upgraded boarding.
• Points have limited redemption flexibility, as they hold the most value when used for Southwest flights and cannot be transferred to other airline partners.
• The rewards earning rates are less generous than some competing cards, particularly for everyday spending categories.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Quest or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, depends entirely on your travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• United Quest℠ Card is best for frequent travelers who fly United Airlines several times a year. It's designed for regular United customers who value travel perks and want to maximize their MileagePlus miles.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is ideal for occasional or budget-conscious Southwest flyers. This card is a great option for those looking to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass or for travelers new to airline credit cards.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Your miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, which offers award flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also use miles for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays, car rentals, and cruises.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use your points for gift cards, merchandise, and international flights with their partners.

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Travel Perks

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• United Quest℠ Card: This card is built for the frequent United flyer. It offers an annual United purchase credit and anniversary award flight credits. Travel perks include two free checked bags for the cardmember and a companion, priority boarding, and a statement credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. It’s also a strong choice for international trips as it has no foreign transaction fees. However, the card does not include airport lounge access.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Geared toward loyal Southwest customers, this card provides perks like two EarlyBird Check-In® services per year and savings on inflight purchases. Cardmembers receive bonus points on their account anniversary. A major benefit is that all points earned count toward qualifying for the Southwest Companion Pass®. This card does have a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for use abroad, and does not provide lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is an excellent tool that helps you compare top-rated credit cards and find the best match for your spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: With the Test Drive feature, you can simulate your potential earnings on a new card using your real spending data before you apply, with no commitment or impact on your credit score.
• Personalized Recommendations: The platform analyzes your spending history to match you with cards that will earn you the most rewards.
• Detailed Approval Odds: Take the guesswork out of applying by getting a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Exclusive Member Benefits: Creating a free account gives you access to a welcome offer guarantee and a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Maximize Rewards: Kudos helps you stack rewards by earning Kudos Boost on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is ideally suited for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize travel rewards and enjoy premium benefits like priority boarding and potential upgrades. It is best for MileagePlus members seeking a faster path to status who can leverage the card's comprehensive travel protections and credits. If you fly United several times per year and spend significantly on travel and dining, the United Quest℠ Card is built to reward your loyalty.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and those who fly with the airline just a few times per year. It provides a low-cost way to earn valuable rewards and work toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass without the commitment of a higher annual fee. For those new to travel rewards or loyal to Southwest, the card's perks make it a compelling entry point into the Southwest ecosystem.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this United Quest vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus comparison shows that neither card is quite right for you, don't worry. We've rounded up a few other excellent travel cards that might 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 a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending – Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Evaluate your travel habits – Consider if your primary airline aligns with the card's co-branded partner for maximum value.

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Application Strategy

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• Be mindful of issuer rules – Issuers often have guidelines on how many new accounts you can open in a certain period.
• Consider long-term goals – A welcome offer can be a stepping stone toward larger rewards like airline status or a companion pass.
• Time your application strategically – Applying before a large planned purchase can help you meet spending requirements naturally.

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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Which card is better for occasional travelers?

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For infrequent flyers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card often provides better value due to its lower annual fee. However, if you can utilize the United Quest℠ Card's annual United purchase credit, it could also be a strong contender.

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Can I transfer points from Chase to United or Southwest?

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Yes, both United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards are transfer partners of Chase Ultimate Rewards®. This allows you to supplement your airline miles with points earned from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

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What are the annual fees for each card?

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The United Quest℠ Card has a $250 annual fee, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has a $69 annual fee.

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