Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a look at why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card stands out.

• Enjoy a suite of travel benefits including two EarlyBird Check-Ins annually, a free first checked bag, and priority boarding for you and your travel party.
• You can accelerate your points earning with 3x points on Southwest purchases and 2x points on select travel, transit, streaming, and dining categories.
• The 6,000-point anniversary bonus is worth an estimated $84, covering over half of the card's $149 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Earn bonus points on Southwest purchases and everyday spending categories, with a flexible redemption system for flights.
• Valuable travel perks enhance your flying experience, including priority boarding, a free checked bag, and annual EarlyBird Check-Ins.
• Receive an annual points bonus and get a boost toward earning A-List status and the Companion Pass.

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Cons

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• A comprehensive card review notes that while the card has an annual fee, it lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or annual travel credits.
• The rewards program has limitations, including spending caps on some bonus categories and less flexibility than cards that earn transferable points.
• Strict application rules may make it difficult for some to get approved, particularly those who have opened several other credit cards recently.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier, depends on your travel style and goals. One offers broad travel flexibility, while the other is tailored for loyalists of a specific airline.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a top-tier entry-level travel card, ideal for those new to travel rewards who want a mix of valuable benefits and redemption flexibility.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a mid-tier airline credit card designed for semi-frequent Southwest flyers looking for airline-specific perks and anniversary bonuses.

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Redemption

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With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can redeem points for cash back or gift cards, but the real value comes from transferring them to various airline and hotel partners or booking travel through the Chase portal. This provides significant flexibility for your travel plans.

Points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, making it a straightforward option for those loyal to the airline.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Offers a broad and flexible travel ecosystem. Cardholders can book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal or transfer points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. It includes an annual hotel credit for stays booked through the portal and has no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel. While it lacks airport lounge access, it provides robust travel insurance protections.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Features a travel ecosystem centered entirely on Southwest Airlines. Points are redeemed for flights directly on the airline's website. The card helps you earn toward the coveted Southwest Companion Pass® and provides benefits like anniversary points and EarlyBird Check-In upgrades. It also has no foreign transaction fees but does not offer airport lounge access or the ability to transfer points to other travel partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending data, without a hard credit pull.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to estimate your chances of being approved for a card.
• Welcome offer guarantee: Kudos will match a better public welcome offer if you find one within three months of being approved.
• Personalized recommendations: Receive card suggestions based on your transaction history to maximize your rewards.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when shopping at participating stores.
• Financial monitoring: Track your spending, transactions, and credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers looking to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards without committing to a premium annual fee. This popular travel card is best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit who spend regularly on travel and dining and want flexible ways to redeem their points. With robust travel protections and a reasonable $95 annual fee, it strikes a balance between premium perks and affordability for those who travel but may not be road warriors just yet.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is built for semifrequent to regular Southwest flyers who want to earn Rapid Rewards points and enjoy airline-specific perks. It's a solid middle-ground option for those with a credit score of 670 or higher, offering more benefits than an entry-level card without the premium price tag of a top-tier alternative. As detailed in a full card review, this card is best for loyal customers who can maximize its travel benefits and anniversary bonus points to easily offset the annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither card in our Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier comparison is the right fit for you, let's explore a few other options. There are plenty of other travel cards that might better suit your wallet and wanderlust.

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Tips for Application Success

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Getting approved for a top-tier travel card requires a bit of strategy. Here’s how to improve your chances.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score: Most premium rewards cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, require a good to excellent credit score, which is typically 670 or higher.
• Know the application rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies like Chase's 5/24 rule, which may lead to a denial if you’ve opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months. Also check the welcome offer eligibility terms, as you might not qualify if you currently have a card in the same family or have earned a bonus recently.
• Plan your spending: Earning a welcome offer typically requires you to spend a certain amount on purchases in the first few months. It's best to have a plan to meet this spending requirement naturally with everyday expenses rather than overspending.

Application Strategy:

• Apply online: The most straightforward way to apply is online. Using a trusted platform can help streamline the process and ensure you're seeing the correct offer details.
• Be patient: If you're hoping for a specific elevated offer and don't find it immediately, it can be worthwhile to wait. Don't settle for a lower offer if you suspect a better one might become available.
• Time your application: Applying just before you need to make a large, planned purchase—like booking a vacation or buying new furniture—is a smart way to meet the spending threshold without stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest?

Yes, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be transferred to Southwest Rapid Rewards® at a 1:1 ratio. This gives you the flexibility to book Southwest flights or use your points with Chase's other airline and hotel partners.

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Which card is better for international travel?

While both cards waive foreign transaction fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers more versatility for international trips because its points can be transferred to a wide range of global airline and hotel loyalty programs.

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What are the annual fees for the Sapphire Preferred and Rapid Rewards Premier cards?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee.

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Which card offers better travel protections?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides more robust travel protections, including primary auto rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers some travel benefits like lost luggage reimbursement, but its protections are generally not as comprehensive.