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Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for everyday spenders who want consistent cash back on all purchases, plus bonus rewards on dining and drugstore spending.
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier is ideal for semi-frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points toward flights and enjoy valuable travel benefits with the airline.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.
- It offers robust cash back rewards on everyday spending without charging an annual fee.
- You'll earn an elevated 3% cash back on dining and at drugstores, on top of a solid 1.5% on all other purchases.
- With no annual fee to offset, you start profiting from your cash back rewards from the very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Provides valuable consumer insurance, including purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranty coverage, and some travel protections.
- Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, and more, or even combined with other eligible Chase cards for potentially greater value.
- New cardholders can take advantage of an introductory APR offer on purchases.
Cons
- It charges foreign transaction fees, making it a less-than-ideal choice for international travel.
- You’ll likely need a good to excellent credit score for approval.
- To unlock the full value of your rewards, you must pair it with a premium Chase card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier.
- Cardholders receive valuable day-of-travel benefits like a free first checked bag and Group 5 priority boarding.
- The card offers a solid path toward earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass through spending and an annual 10,000-point boost.
- The 6,000 anniversary bonus points help offset a significant portion of the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders can earn bonus points in a wide range of everyday spending categories, including groceries, restaurants, and select streaming services.
- The card includes several travel conveniences, such as no foreign transaction fees and flexible award bookings with no change or cancellation fees.
- An annual flight discount code and complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins add extra value for frequent Southwest flyers.
Cons
- The card's annual fee is relatively high for its tier, and the anniversary bonus only partially offsets the cost.
- Bonus rewards on some everyday spending categories are capped, and the card lacks a gas rewards category found on other Southwest cards.
- Several bonus earning categories and travel benefits, like complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins, are being phased out.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier, depends on your personal spending habits and financial goals. Each card is designed to provide value to a different type of consumer.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best for cash back seekers. It is designed for those who want to earn straightforward cash back rewards on their spending without tracking complex categories.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This is a mid-tier airline credit card. It is built for semifrequent Southwest flyers who want to enjoy travel benefits without the higher cost of a premium card.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel through the Chase portal, or gift cards. This flexibility makes it easy to use your rewards in a way that best fits your immediate financial plans.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: The points you earn are deposited into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and are primarily used for booking flights with the airline. While other options are available, redeeming for Southwest flights will generally give you the best return on your spending.
Travel Perks
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While not a dedicated travel card, it provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. It is less suited for international travel as it typically charges a foreign transaction fee. This card does not offer premium perks like airport lounge access.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This card is built around the Southwest Airlines experience, offering airline-specific benefits like annual EarlyBird Check-In® vouchers and savings on inflight purchases. A key travel advantage is that it does not have foreign transaction fees. Points earned also contribute toward qualifying for the Southwest Companion Pass®, a highly sought-after travel perk. Like the Freedom Unlimited®, it does not provide airport lounge access.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best fit for your wallet.
- The Test Drive feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card by using your actual spending history, giving you a personalized earnings projection before you apply.
- Receive a comprehensive analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos may match a better public offer if you find one within three months of your application.
- Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.
- Access exclusive sign-up offers and promotions.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value a simple, consistent rewards structure without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's also a strategic powerhouse for existing Chase customers, as its points can be combined with premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to unlock greater travel value. Furthermore, individuals new to rewards or those seeking solid purchase protections and travel benefits without an annual fee will find this card particularly appealing.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is best suited for frequent flyers of the airline who are looking to maximize their travel experience with specific perks. As a mid-tier option, it appeals to travelers who value benefits like anniversary bonus points and day-of-travel perks without committing to the highest annual fee in the Southwest card lineup. Additionally, it's a strategic choice for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass or A-List elite status more quickly, according to a review from The Points Guy.
Alternatives to Consider
If this Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier comparison shows that neither card is quite right for you, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Let's explore a few alternative cards that might offer the rewards and benefits you're looking for.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, like Chase's 5/24 rule, before you apply.
- Have a plan: Understand how you'll use the card and its rewards to maximize their value.
Application Strategy
- Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
- Review issuer family rules: Some issuers restrict welcome offers if you currently have or recently had a similar card, like with Southwest's personal cards.
- Consider the card's ecosystem: Certain cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, provide more value when paired with other cards from the same issuer.
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 my Chase Freedom Unlimited to Southwest?
Yes, you can transfer points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. However, you must also hold a premium Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, to facilitate the transfer.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is generally better for a wide range of everyday purchases due to its consistent earning rates on all spending, plus bonus categories. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is more specialized, offering the highest rewards on Southwest purchases and with partner brands.
Do points from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card count towards the Companion Pass?
Yes, the points you earn from spending on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, including any welcome offer, do count as qualifying points toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. This pass allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.
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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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