Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

How Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card Compare?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card compares favorably to other airline cards, especially if you are a Southwest Airlines fan.

Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card best for?

Travelers who prefer to fly Southwest Airlines will find this a great addition to their wallets. The $149 annual fee won’t bother frequent Southwest travelers because you get a $75 annual travel credit to use on Southwest, essentially slicing the fee in half. And, you can apply the intro bonus points towards the coveted companion pass, where a guest can fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. 

Who would do better with a different card?

If you’re not a committed Southwest Airlines fan, you might want to consider a card with more flexible rewards. Unlike some airlines, you can only use Southwest reward points on Southwest–there are no partner hotels or car rentals, and you can’t redeem points for a statement credit.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee and a similar intro offer to Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card, but the reward structure is both easier to understand and more flexible: you just have to book through Capital One travel and you can use the miles on any airline.

Although it isn’t specifically an airline card, the American Express® Gold Card offers excellent rewards for travel, as well as dining and supermarkets. The annual fee is a little hefty at $325, but the intro offer is similar to Southwest’s with more flexible options in how you use them. If you prefer Delta Airlines, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card has an intro offer and no annual fee.