The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are both travel credit cards that offer a variety of benefits to frequent Southwest Airlines flyers.
Let's make a side by side comparison of their main features, benefits, and drawbacks.
General Comparison: Southwest Premier vs Priority
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card is a solid choice for those who want a balance between rewards and cost. It typically has a lower annual fee compared to the Priority card and same point rewards ratio as the Priority card.
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Southwest Premier vs Priority: Point Rewards Analysis
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|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Rapid Rewards Priority | Rapid Rewards Premier |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 points | 10,000 points |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 4,000 points | 4,000 points |
$4,000 – Airline | 12,000 points | 12,000 points |
$5,000 – Hotels | 10,000 points | 10,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 points | 4,000 points |
Total Points | 40,000 points | 40,000 points |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 point = ~1.3 cents
| 1 point = ~1.3 cents
|
Estimated Annual Value | $520 | $520 |
With Southwest Airlines, 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.
Which Benefits Of You'll Get On Both Cards?
There are some additional types of perks that you will see with both of these cards:
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.
25% Back on Inflight Purchases: Receive a 25% rebate on inflight purchases, making onboard snacks, drinks, and entertainment more affordable for travelers.
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.
- DoorDash Benefits: Cardholders receive a complimentary one-year DashPass membership, offering unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders through DoorDash and Caviar.
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.
Which Benefits Are Unique For Each Card?
There are some additional types of perks which available specifically for each card:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
7,500 Points Annually: Cardholders receive 7,500 bonus points every year on their Cardmember anniversary, adding a consistent boost to their Southwest Rapid Rewards balance.
$75 Southwest Annual Travel Credit: This credit helps offset the annual fee, providing cardholders with a yearly $75 credit for eligible Southwest travel expenses, making their flights more cost-effective.
4 Upgraded Boardings per Year: Enjoy enhanced travel experience with four upgraded boardings per year when available, allowing cardholders to secure better seating options and a more comfortable journey.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
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.
2 EarlyBird Check-In® Each Year: Enjoy the convenience of two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, allowing cardholders to secure earlier boarding positions and increase their chances of obtaining preferred seating on Southwest flights. This perk contributes to a smoother and more comfortable travel experience.
When You Might Want the Southwest Premier Card?
You Might Prefer the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier over the Priority if:
You Are On A Budget: If you don't want to pay the higher annual fee of the Priority card, the Premier card has a more affordable annual fee of $99, and it still offers a good value for frequent Southwest travelers.
You're Focusing On Point Rewards: If You fly Southwest Airlines frequently, the Premier card points rewards ratio is the same as the Priority card and provides a good amount of points on Southwest flights.
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When You Might Want the Southwest Priority Card?
You Might Prefer the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority over the Premier if:
You Can Leverage Extra Perks: Opt for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card if you are a frequent Southwest Airlines traveler. The card's enhanced perks, such as the $75 annual travel credit and four upgraded boardings per year, can significantly enhance the overall travel experience, justifying the higher annual fee.
Companion Pass Enthusiasts: If you're aiming for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, the Priority card's annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points can accelerate your progress, making it a preferred choice for those seeking to enjoy free companion travel.
Compare The Alternatives
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|---|---|---|---|
The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Capital One Venture X Rewards | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates & Fees | $550 | $395 |
Rewards |
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
|
1X – 10X
5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. | 1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible 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
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60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| 75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0 | $0
|
Purchase APR | 21.24% – 29.24% APR Variable | 22.49%–29.49% variable | 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable) |
Compare Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
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Here's our comparison: Delta SkyMiles Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is the winner with higher cashback value and better travel and airline benefits. But, it has higher annual fee.
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Compare Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
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