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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This premium card is best for frequent travelers and diners looking to maximize rewards on travel and restaurant purchases. The annual fee is $795. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This airline co-branded card is ideal for Southwest loyalists who want to earn points for flights and enjoy day-of-travel perks.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out in the premium travel card market.
- The card offers generous rewards, earning 3 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases worldwide.
- Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like Priority Pass™ Select lounge access and an application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck.
- Its $300 annual travel credit effectively lowers the $795 annual fee to a net cost of $495, making the card's other benefits much easier to justify (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Its rewards program offers excellent flexibility, featuring 1:1 point transfers to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.
- Cardholders receive comprehensive travel protections, including primary auto rental coverage and trip interruption insurance.
- It provides a generous airport lounge access benefit through Priority Pass™ Select, which extends to authorized users and includes guest privileges.
Cons
- It comes with a significant annual fee and generally requires an excellent credit score for approval.
- The rewards structure can be complex, and some benefits require separate enrollment to activate.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card stands out.
- Cardholders receive a suite of travel benefits, including a free first checked bag and priority boarding, which enhance the Southwest flying experience.
- The card helps you earn Southwest A-List elite status and the coveted Companion Pass faster through its annual points boosts and spending incentives.
- The 6,000 bonus points you receive each anniversary are worth an estimated $84, covering more than half of the card's $149 annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Enhance your travel day with a free first checked bag for you and your travel party, plus priority boarding privileges.
- Get a head start on earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass and A-List status with an annual boost of qualifying points.
- Receive a yearly anniversary bonus of Rapid Rewards points and earn accelerated points on Southwest flights and other everyday purchases.
Cons
- The anniversary point bonus only partially offsets the card's annual fee, according to a card review.
- It lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access and the flexibility of transferable points found on other travel cards.
- Several key benefits are being discontinued, including certain bonus reward categories and the annual EarlyBird Check-Ins.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, depends entirely on your travel habits and spending style.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent travelers who want premium benefits and the flexibility to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for loyal Southwest Airlines flyers looking to earn points specifically for that airline and enjoy day-of-travel perks.
Redemption
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Points offer significant flexibility, as they can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal or transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. This versatility is a major draw for travelers who value options over loyalty to a single brand.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: Points are redeemed directly within the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights but also for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel experiences. This straightforward system benefits travelers who consistently fly with Southwest.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card provides a robust travel ecosystem with a range of premium benefits. Cardholders receive an annual travel credit, though points on travel are earned only after the credit is spent. It includes Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access and has no foreign transaction fees. Travel can be booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, and the card carries an annual fee.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card’s benefits are tightly integrated with the Southwest Airlines experience. Perks include opportunities for EarlyBird Check-In®, anniversary bonus points, and accelerated points earning on Southwest purchases. It also has no foreign transaction fees and includes an annual fee, but it lacks a broad travel portal or complimentary lounge access.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards using your real spending data to find the best option for your unique habits.
- The ability to ‘test drive’ credit cards using your actual transaction history to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
- Detailed approval odds analysis based on your credit report to help you make more informed application decisions.
- A welcome offer guarantee that matches a better public offer if you find one within three months of your card approval.
- Access to the Kudos Wallet to manage your cards, track spending, and monitor your credit score from a single platform.
- The opportunity to earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost, which can be stacked on top of your existing credit card rewards when you shop online.
Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is built for frequent travelers and high-spenders on dining who can maximize its suite of premium benefits. Ideal cardholders will easily spend enough on travel to exhaust the $300 annual travel credit, after which they begin earning points on those purchases, and take full advantage of perks like Priority Pass™ lounge access and robust travel insurance. It's a top choice for points enthusiasts with excellent credit who seek valuable transfer partners and exclusive access, making this premium travel card well worth its cost.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is tailored for semi-frequent to regular Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points and enjoy valuable day-of-travel benefits. This card is a solid mid-tier option for travelers who value perks like EarlyBird Check-In, a free first checked bag, and priority boarding but don't need the premium benefits of the top-tier Priority card. According to a Southwest Premier Credit Card review, it's best suited for individuals with a credit score of 670 or higher.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right choice, you have other options. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel style.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Review application rules: Many issuers have restrictions, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that could affect your eligibility for a new card.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
Application Strategy
- Research transfer partners: Know how you'll use the points to ensure a card aligns with your travel goals.
- Heed issuer restrictions: Some issuers limit welcome offers if you've recently had one of their cards.
- Time your application strategically: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement naturally.
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 Sapphire Reserve to Southwest?
Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned with your Sapphire Reserve to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account at a 1:1 ratio. These transfers are typically instant, allowing you to book award flights quickly.
Which card is better for earning a Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card is better for earning the Companion Pass, as points earned from its welcome bonus and spending count toward the required qualifying points. Points transferred from the Chase Sapphire Reserve do not count towards Companion Pass qualification.
Which card offers better travel protections?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is known for its comprehensive suite of travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost luggage reimbursement. These benefits are generally more robust than those offered by the Southwest co-branded cards.
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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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