Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » JetBlue Plus Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Side By Side Comparison
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JetBlue Plus Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Side By Side Comparison

While the Southwest Premier card extra travel perks are better, the JetBlue Plus Card is our winner in this comparison. Here's why:
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: April 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: April 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The JetBlue Plus Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card are two distinct travel credit cards catering to different airlines, JetBlue and Southwest, respectively. Both cards offer unique benefits tailored to their respective target audiences' preferences and travel patterns.

General Comparison

Both cards charge similar annual fees, don't charge foreign transaction fees, and offer benefits tailored for each airline company. The JetBlue Plus card shines when it comes to points rewards and 0% intro APR, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card offers better extra perks.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the card's main features:

southwest_rapid_rewards_premier_art

jetblue plus card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
The JetBlue Plus Card
Annual Fee
$99
$99
Rewards
3X points on Southwest® purchases,2X on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners, local transit and commuting, including rideshare, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming and 1X points on all other purchases.
6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days
0% Intro APR
N/A
12 billing cycles on balance transfers
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
Purchase APR
21.49%–28.49% variable
21.24% – 29.99% variable
Read Review
Read Review
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
50,000 miles 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first six months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Airline Miles Rewards Analysis: Which Card Is Better?

When we analyze the amount of points cardholders can get for each card for the same spend, we can see that the JetBlue Plus Card is a clear winner. It earns many more points for the same spend, and the card points estimated annual worth is higher than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card.

southwest_rapid_rewards_premier_art

jetblue plus card

Spend Per Category
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
The JetBlue Plus Card
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets
10,000 points
20,000 points
$4,000 – Restaurants
4,000 points
8,000 points
$5,000 – Airline
15,000 points
30,000 points
$4,000 – Hotels
8,000 points
4,000 points
$4,000 – Gas
4,000 points
4,000 points
Total Points
41,000 points
66,000 points
Redemption Value (Estimated)
1 point = ~1.3 cents
1 point = ~1.4 cents
Estimated Annual Value
$533
$924

With Southwest Premier card, you can use points for flights with no blackout dates, allowing flexible travel. Points cover ticket costs, taxes, and fees. Additionally, you can redeem points for international flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards.

Southwest Premier card Book redeem points
Redeem points with Southwest Premier card (screenshot from Southwest app)

The JetBlue Plus Card lets you earn points for every purchase, and you can redeem them for flights on JetBlue. It's like collecting miles to get free flights.

You also have the flexibility to use points for hotel stays or car rentals if you prefer. Plus, there are no blackout dates, so you can book your travel whenever suits you.

Airline And Travel Benefits: Comparison

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card stands out as the superior choice for additional travel and airline benefits, primarily attributed to its extensive protections and comprehensive travel insurance offerings:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

southwest_rapid_rewards_premier_art

  • 25% Back on Inflight Purchases: Receive a 25% rebate on inflight purchases, making onboard snacks, drinks, and entertainment more affordable for travelers.
  • 6,000 Points Annually on Cardmember Anniversary: Cardholders receive an additional 6,000 bonus points every year on their Cardmember anniversary, further enhancing the annual point accumulation and boosting the overall rewards potential.

pros and cons of Southwest credit cards
understand the pros and cons of Southwest credit cards before apply (Photo by Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock)
  • Unlimited Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs): For every $10,000 spent, earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status, with no limit on the amount of TQPs you can accumulate, facilitating progress towards elite status and associated benefits.
  • 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost: The card provides an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points, bringing cardholders closer to earning the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
Southwest a progress towards Companion pass and A-List Status
Southwest a progress towards Companion pass and A-List Status (screenshot from Southwest app)
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® Each Year: Enjoy the convenience of two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, allowing cardholders to secure earlier boarding positions. 
  • DoorDash Benefits: Cardholders receive a complimentary one-year DashPass membership.
  • Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Receive coverage up to $3,000 per passenger for lost or damaged checked or carry-on luggage.
  • Baggage Delay Insurance: Get reimbursed for essential purchases (up to $100 per day for 3 days) in case of baggage delays over 6 hours.
  • Extended Warranty Protection: Extend the manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
  • Purchase Protection: Enjoy coverage for new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days, up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account, providing added security for your acquisitions.
JetBlue Plus Card

jetblue plus card

  • Free First Checked Bag: Enjoy the benefit of a free first checked bag for yourself and up to three eligible travel companions on JetBlue-operated flights.

  • 10% Points Back: Receive a 10% points rebate after redeeming points for and traveling on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight, adding value to your rewards.

  • $100 Statement Credit: Get a $100 statement credit annually when you use your JetBlue Plus Card to purchase a JetBlue Vacations package totaling $100 or more.

  • Cash + Points: Flexibility is at your fingertips with the Cash + Points option, allowing you to pay for your flight using a combination of dollars and TrueBlue points, starting with as few as 500 points.

JetBlue TrueBlue program
(Photo by rafapress/Shutterstock)
  • Points Payback: With Points Payback, you can redeem your points for a statement credit, providing additional flexibility and the opportunity to recoup up to $1,000 annually.
  • In-flight savings: Enjoy a 50% discount on eligible purchases made in-flight on JetBlue-operated flights.
  • Fraud protection: Benefit from $0 Fraud Liability, ensuring you are not held accountable for unauthorized charges on your JetBlue Card.

When You Might Prefer The JetBlue Plus Card?

You might prefer the JetBlue Plus card in the following situations:

  • You are a Regular JetBlue Flyer: If JetBlue is your preferred airline and you fly with them regularly, the JetBlue Plus Card is the more advantageous choice, providing tailored perks and rewards for frequent JetBlue travelers.

  • Enhanced Points Rewards: Our analysis indicates that the JetBlue Plus Card yields more points per expenditure, particularly on flight-related expenses, making it a more rewarding option for your spending habits.

  • Exclusive 0% Intro APR for Balance Transfers: If you require a 0% introductory APR specifically for balance transfers, the JetBlue Plus Card is the sole option offering this feature, catering to your financial needs while providing the benefits of a JetBlue-focused card.

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
50,000 miles 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in your first six months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

When You Might Prefer The Southwest Premier Card?

You might prefer the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card in the following situations:

  • Better Travel Insurance And Protections: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premiercard offers a avriety of protections you won't be able to get with the JetBlue Plus card, so if you prioritize this aspect – the Gold card may be a better option.

  • You Want Wider Domestic Route Network: Opt for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card if your travel preferences align with Southwest's extensive domestic route network. Southwest provides a significantly higher number of daily flights compared to JetBlue, servicing a much larger array of destinations.

Compare The Alternatives

If you're looking for an airline credit card with travel rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:

united explorer

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review

United℠ Explorer Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Annual Fee
$95 ($0 first year)
$150, $0 intro first year. (See Rates and Fees.)
$99 (waived for the first 12 months)
Rewards
1X – 2X 2x per $1 spent on United purchases, hotel accommodations, restaurants & eligible delivery services and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases
1X – 2X 2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases
1X – 2X Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
Welcome bonus
50,000 miles 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
40,000 Miles 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
50,000 Miles 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0. See Rates and Fees.
$0
Purchase APR
21.99% – 28.99% variable
20.99%-29.99% Variable
21.24% – 29.99% (Variable)

Compare Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

We think the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier wins – it's cheaper and there is no significant difference in points rewards or airline perks.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Priority: Side By Side Comparison

If you're a frequent flyer, the Premier card has the edge so that you can cover the annual fee difference. If not, the Plus card is enough.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Premier: Side By Side Comparison

The AAdvantage Platinum Select and the Southwest Premier card share many common features.

Here's where each card shines: AAdvantage Platinum Select vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

The United Explorer and the Southwest Premier card have numerous shared features. Let's explore the distinctive strengths of each card.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs. United Explorer: Comparison

Both cards have similar annual cashback value and diverse airline benefits. While there is no clear winner, each card has its unique perks.

Frontier World Mastercard vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Side By Side Comparison

Both Alaska and Southwest Premier have similar annual cashback values. While there is no clear winner, each card has its own unique perks.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Comparison

Compare JetBlue Plus Card

If you tend to fly at least twice a year with JetBlue – the plus card is our winner, with a higher cashback rate and enticing airline perks.

The JetBlue Card vs The JetBlue Plus Card: How They Compare?

If you're looking for an airline card, both American Airlines and JetBlue cards can be a perfect choice, depends on your needs. Here are our thoughts.

AAdvantage MileUp vs JetBlue Plus: Which Airline Card Wins?

While the Delta SkyMiles Gold extra perks are better, the JetBlue Plus Card is our winner in this comparison due to its higher cashback value.

The JetBlue Plus Card vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Side By Side Comparison

While the airline benefits are pretty similar, The JetBlue Plus Card is a clear winner due to much higher cashback rates than the Alaska card.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature vs JetBlue Plus Card: Which Airline Card Wins

While the airline perks are quite comparable, the JetBlue Plus Card emerges as the preferred choice thanks to higher cashback rates.

Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select vs JetBlue Plus Card: Side By Side Comparison

While we really like both cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is our winner due to its diverse redemption options and high rewards rate.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. JetBlue Plus Card: Side By Side Comparison

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s 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.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.