Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Capital One Savor: Which Is Better In 2025?

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3041", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "4", "bestForText": "Food & Entertainment", "headerHint" : "Enliven your Tastebuds" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a breakdown of why we’re fans of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees).

‍

• The card’s rewards structure is simple, offering unlimited cash back in popular categories like dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores without requiring you to activate rotating categories.
• Cardholders gain access to exclusive events, from concerts to sporting events, through the Capital One Entertainment platform.
• Rewards are flexible and easy to redeem, with the unique option to convert your cash back into travel miles if you also have a Capital One Venture card.

‍

Pros

‍

• Earns unlimited cash back across a wide range of everyday categories, including dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
• Comes with comprehensive travel and purchase protection benefits, including rental car coverage.
• Rewards are highly flexible, with no minimum amount required to redeem for cash back or travel.

‍

Cons

‍

• Approval typically requires a good to excellent credit score.
• Bonus cash back at grocery stores doesn't apply to purchases at superstores or wholesale clubs.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

‍

Categories

‍

When deciding which is better Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Capital One Savor, it's crucial to look at where you spend the most money, as each card caters to a different lifestyle.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who regularly fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn rewards toward flights.
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is geared towards food enthusiasts and entertainment seekers who spend frequently on dining, groceries, and popular streaming services.

‍

Redemption

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use your points for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards.

‍

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card earns cash back on your purchases, which you can redeem in several flexible ways. You can request your rewards as a statement credit to lower your account balance or receive a check in the mail.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Travel Portals: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card’s travel benefits are accessed through the airline's portal, using miles for bookings. The Capital One Savor card uses the Capital One Travel portal for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Capital One Savor card stands out by not charging foreign transaction fees, making it a better option for international spending. The Southwest card, however, does include a foreign transaction fee.
• Lounge Access: Neither card includes complimentary airport lounge access as a standard perk.
• Additional Perks: The Southwest card comes with airline-specific benefits, such as anniversary bonus miles and savings on in-flight purchases. The Savor card’s perks extend beyond travel to include access to exclusive events through Capital One Dining and Entertainment.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

If you're looking for a more advanced way to compare cards, a financial companion like Kudos provides a data-driven card explorer that evaluates nearly 3,000 options to match you with the best one.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Simulate potential earnings from any card using your actual spending data before you apply, without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards when shopping at participating stores, which stack on top of your existing card rewards.
• Sign-up bonuses and offers: Access special offers like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select cards to your wallet or a $20 sign-up bonus with a qualifying purchase.
• Financial monitoring: Track your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent entry point for travelers looking to engage with the Southwest ecosystem without the commitment of a high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for occasional Southwest flyers, budget-conscious travelers, and beginners in the world of travel rewards. This card is also a strategic choice for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass through a combination of flying and everyday spending.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards?

‍

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for consumers whose spending is heavily weighted toward dining out and entertainment. This card is particularly well-suited for urban professionals and active families who frequently go to restaurants, attend concerts or sporting events, and also have significant spending at grocery stores. Furthermore, travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees and individuals who appreciate straightforward cash back redemption options will find this card highly valuable.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If this Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Capital One Savor comparison shows that neither card is quite right for you, don't worry. Here are a few other top-tier rewards cards that might be a better match for your financial goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["2894", "509"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["2% Cash Back", "Exceptional Value"]} ]]

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score, as most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's minimum spend requirement.
• Research the card’s benefits to confirm they align with your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Know the rules - Be aware of issuer-specific application rules that might affect your eligibility.
• Time it right - Consider timing your application to maximize progress toward valuable perks like the Southwest Companion Pass.
• Align your spending - Confirm your spending habits align with the card's bonus categories to maximize your rewards.

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

‍

Which card is better for someone who travels with a specific airline?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is tailored for individuals who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines, as its benefits and rewards are centered around the airline's loyalty program. The Capital One Savor card offers broader rewards on general spending categories not tied to a single airline.

‍

How flexible are the rewards for each card?

‍

The Capital One Savor card provides cash back, which offers maximum flexibility as it can be redeemed for statement credits or a check. Rewards earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card are points specifically for use within the Southwest Airlines ecosystem, primarily for booking flights.

‍

Should I choose a card based on my everyday spending or my travel goals?

‍

Your choice should align with your financial priorities. If your goal is to earn rewards on daily purchases like dining and entertainment, the Capital One Savor card is a strong contender, but if your primary objective is to earn award flights on Southwest, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is the more specialized tool for that purpose.

‍