Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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

• The card is packed with valuable travel perks, including four upgraded boardings per year and an annual Southwest travel credit.
• You'll earn accelerated points on Southwest purchases, plus bonus rewards at grocery stores and restaurants.
• Between the $75 annual travel credit and 6,000 anniversary points, you can easily offset the $229 annual fee each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Helps you qualify for the valuable Southwest Companion Pass® and A-List elite status faster.
• Improves your travel day with perks like early boarding for your group and statement credits on inflight purchases.
• Flexible point redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions on Southwest-operated flights.

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Cons

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• The card offers limited value if you don't regularly fly with Southwest Airlines, as most benefits are airline-specific.
• Rewards lack the flexibility of other travel cards; points are most valuable when used for Southwest flights and cannot be transferred to other airline partners.
• It lacks some premium travel perks common with other high-end cards, such as airport lounge access.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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Deciding between these two premium travel cards can be a challenge, so let's explore which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, for your spending habits. Both cards offer significant travel perks but are designed for different types of travelers.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card best for frequent travelers who value flexibility. It’s ideal for those who want to earn rewards on general travel and dining purchases and transfer points to a wide variety of airline and hotel partners.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a co-branded airline card designed for loyal Southwest Airlines customers. This card is best for travelers who frequently fly with the airline and want to earn airline-specific benefits and work toward elite status.

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Redemption

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Points earned with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer great flexibility, as they can be redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, for cash back, or transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card, points are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, but can also be used for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card provides a robust travel ecosystem through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. Cardholders receive a $300 Annual Travel Credit, and the card includes complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership for broad airport lounge access. It also has no foreign transaction fees and offers an application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®. Points are not earned on travel purchases until after the first $300 is spent annually, as this spending goes toward the travel credit.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card’s ecosystem is built exclusively around Southwest Airlines, with points redeemed directly on the airline's platform. While it does not offer general airport lounge access, it provides perks like four Upgraded Boardings per year where available, an annual Southwest travel credit, and a yearly anniversary points bonus. The card also has no foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Manage multiple credit cards, track spending, and monitor your credit score all in one platform.

• Receive personalized card recommendations that match your spending patterns to maximize your rewards.

• Test drive credit cards before you apply by simulating potential earnings based on your actual transaction history, all without a hard credit pull.

• Get access to exclusive offers, bonuses, and stackable rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at your favorite stores.

• Use the browser extension to autofill the best card for your purchase at checkout, ensuring you always earn the most rewards possible.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is tailor-made for frequent travelers and diners with excellent credit who want to maximize premium benefits like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel protections, and flexible point transfers. It's best for those who can leverage its perks to justify the high annual fee. 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.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyal Southwest customers who fly the airline several times a year. It's particularly valuable for travelers aiming to earn A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass®, as spending on the card contributes toward both goals. Families and domestic travelers who primarily use Southwest's extensive network will also find significant value in its perks, as detailed in our complete review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comparison has you feeling like neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Applying for a premium travel card requires a bit of strategy. Follow these tips to improve your odds of success.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score: Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card generally require good to excellent credit. A score in the 700s or higher gives you the best approval odds.
• Plan your spending: Most welcome offers require you to meet a minimum spending threshold in the first few months. Ensure you can meet this with your normal spending and avoid carrying a balance, which negates the value of the rewards.
• Know the rules: Be aware of issuer-specific application rules. If you already have a card with an issuer, like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you may be eligible to upgrade instead of applying for a new card.

Application Strategy:

• Apply with confidence: Many applications begin with a soft credit pull, which won’t affect your score. A hard inquiry is typically only performed after you review and accept the final card offer.
• Consider authorized users: Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Southwest Priority Card allow you to add authorized users who can enjoy many of the same benefits, but remember that the primary cardmember is responsible for all charges.

Pro tip: Time your application before a large planned purchase—like a vacation, home renovation, or new furniture—to help meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you transfer Chase points to Southwest?

Yes, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be transferred to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® program at a 1:1 ratio. This makes it a flexible way to book award flights on Southwest.

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Which card is better for earning the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed to help you earn the Companion Pass, as its points and welcome bonus count toward the qualification requirement. Points transferred from the Chase Sapphire Reserve® do not count toward earning the pass.

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Do both cards offer annual travel credits?

Yes, both cards provide annual credits that help offset their fees. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a flexible $300 annual travel credit, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card provides a $75 Southwest annual travel credit.