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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great no-annual-fee card for everyday spenders who want consistent cash back on all purchases, with bonus rewards on dining and at drugstores.
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is ideal for occasional Southwest flyers looking to earn points on flights, gas, and groceries while working towards the valuable Companion Pass.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® stands out in a crowded field of cash back cards.
- It offers a robust rewards structure without charging an annual fee.
- You earn a solid, unlimited 1.5% cash back on general purchases, plus an elevated 3% back on dining and at drugstores.
- For example, spending $5,000 a year across the 3% bonus categories of dining and drugstores would earn you $150 in cash back (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Rewards can be combined with other eligible Chase cards, potentially increasing their value when redeemed for travel.
- Includes valuable consumer protections and travel benefits, such as purchase protection and an auto rental waiver, which are impressive for a card with no annual fee.
- The rewards structure is straightforward, so you don't have to enroll in or track rotating bonus categories.
Cons
- It includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less than ideal for purchases outside the U.S.
- The flat-rate rewards on general spending are outmatched by some competing cards.
- To maximize point value for travel redemptions, it needs to be paired with a premium Chase card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a quick look at why we’re fans of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.
- It's a great entry-level card for Southwest loyalists, offering a straightforward way to earn points without a high annual fee.
- Every point you earn, including anniversary bonuses, counts toward the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
- The combination of 3,000 anniversary bonus points and two annual EarlyBird Check-In® credits (valued at up to $50) can nearly offset the card's $99 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A major perk is that all points earned—from spending to bonuses—help you qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.
- Cardholders receive annual anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits to enhance their travel experience.
- Earn bonus points on common spending categories, including Southwest flights, gas, and groceries.
Cons
- Lacks many premium travel benefits common to other travel cards, such as airport lounge access or statement credits for travel.
- The rewards program is somewhat restrictive, as points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights and bonus earning categories are limited.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus, comes down to your personal spending habits and financial goals.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® - This card is ideal for cash back seekers. It provides a straightforward way to earn rewards on a wide range of everyday purchases.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card - This card is designed for frequent travelers. It is best for those who often fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn points toward flights and other travel perks.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. This flexibility allows cardholders to choose between straightforward cash rewards or using their points for future trips.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can also use their points for international flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards through the airline's partners.
Travel Perks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: As a cash back-focused card, its travel perks are modest. Cardholders can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, but the card does charge a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international use. It does not offer premium travel benefits like airport lounge access.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is built entirely around Southwest Airlines. Benefits include anniversary bonus points and two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year. While points are best used for Southwest flights, they can also be redeemed for international flights with partner airlines, hotel stays, and car rentals. Like the Freedom Unlimited®, this card has a foreign transaction fee and does not provide airport lounge access.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best one for your unique spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending data. This feature shows a full breakdown of rewards, minus any annual fees, without a hard credit pull.
- Personalized approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If you apply for a card through Kudos and find a better public welcome offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
- Personalized card matching: The platform analyzes your spending history to recommend cards that will maximize your rewards.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value a straightforward rewards structure without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's also a strategic pick for existing Chase customers, as it can be paired with premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to maximize the value of Ultimate Rewards® points. According to a comprehensive guide, this card is ideal for those who want valuable purchase protections and travel benefits without paying an annual fee.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional Southwest flyers and beginners in the travel rewards world who want a low-cost entry point. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned count toward the qualification threshold. Budget-conscious travelers can also benefit from its straightforward rewards and perks like EarlyBird Check-In® credits, as detailed in this complete 2025 guide.
Alternatives to Consider
After this Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comparison, you might find that neither card is the perfect fit for your wallet, and that's okay. Let's explore a few other excellent rewards cards that could be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet any welcome offer spending requirements organically.
- Know your rewards strategy – Understand how the card's points or miles fit into your travel goals.
Application Strategy
- Consider issuer-specific rules–Some issuers, like Chase, may have unwritten application guidelines and favor existing customers.
- Look for ecosystem synergy–Consider how a new card complements others you hold, like pairing certain Chase cards to maximize rewards.
- Time your application strategically–Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Can I transfer points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited to Southwest Airlines?
Yes, but you will need another premium Chase card to do so. Points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be transferred to travel partners like Southwest Rapid Rewards only when combined with an account like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Which card has a higher annual fee?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has an annual fee, whereas the Chase Freedom Unlimited® does not. Always confirm the current fee structure in the card's terms and conditions before applying.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
For general, non-bonus category spending, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is typically the stronger choice because it earns a solid base rate on every purchase. The Southwest card's value is maximized when used for Southwest flights and with its specific travel and retail partners.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos 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.
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