Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is a great fit for semi-frequent Southwest flyers who want to earn points toward award flights and enjoy valuable day-of-travel benefits.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: A solid pick for moderate travelers and everyday spenders, this card offers flexible rewards on travel and dining that are especially valuable for existing Bank of America customers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2161", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Southwest Flyers"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier.
- Cardholders receive several valuable day-of-travel benefits that enhance the flying experience on Southwest.
- Despite its annual fee, the card offers strong rewards on Southwest purchases and has no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for loyalists traveling abroad.
- The 6,000 anniversary bonus points help offset a significant portion of the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers several travel perks, including EarlyBird Check-In, priority boarding, and a yearly flight discount.
- Provides an annual boost of qualifying points toward the Southwest Companion Pass and offers a way to earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status through spending.
- Cardholders pay no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- Its annual fee can be steep for a mid-tier card, and other Southwest cards may offer more overall value for frequent flyers.
- The rewards program is somewhat restrictive, with spending caps on certain bonus categories and no accelerated earnings on gas.
- Lacks premium travel benefits commonly found on other travel cards, such as airport lounge access or annual travel credits.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "189", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "2x Points on Dining and Travel"} ]]
Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card.
- The card offers a solid rewards rate on travel and dining, with a strong base rate for all other spending.
- Despite its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card has no foreign transaction fees and includes valuable annual statement credits that enhance its value for travelers.
- You can offset the annual fee entirely just by using the card's annual airline incidental credit (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Features a simple rewards program with bonus points on travel and dining and a high flat-rate on other purchases, with the ability to earn even more for qualifying Bank of America customers.
- Comes with valuable annual statement credits for travel and comprehensive travel insurance protections.
- Straightforward redemption options give your points a fixed value, providing cash-back-like flexibility without complex rules.
Cons
- The rewards program is less flexible than some competitors, as points have a fixed redemption value and cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs.
- It lacks some premium travel perks found on similar cards, such as airport lounge access.
- Cardholders must have a qualifying account with Bank of America to unlock the highest reward rates, making it less valuable for those outside the bank's ecosystem.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. Each card is tailored to a different type of user, excelling in distinct categories.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This card is best for those who spend directly with Southwest Airlines, as it offers the highest rewards on those purchases.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards®: This card is designed for frequent travelers and individuals who dine out regularly, offering strong value for those broad spending areas.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases like international flights, hotels, and car rentals through the airline's portal.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards®: This card provides more flexible redemption options, allowing you to redeem points for cash back, statement credits, travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center, or gift cards.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States.
- Booking Flexibility: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card provides greater flexibility, allowing you to book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Bank of America Travel Center. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card's ecosystem is focused on its own airline, with points delivering the most value when redeemed for Southwest flights through its portal.
- Travel Credits and Perks: The Bank of America card offers annual statement credits for airline incidentals and application fees for trusted traveler programs. The Southwest card provides airline-specific benefits like anniversary points and credits toward elite status. Neither card, however, offers complimentary airport lounge access as a primary benefit.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're looking to make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate potential earnings from any card using your actual spending data—all without a hard credit pull.
- Welcome offer guarantee: If a better welcome offer for a card you get through Kudos appears within three months, the platform will match it.
- Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report to apply with more confidence.
- Kudos Boost rewards: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card’s points when you shop at participating stores.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: You can unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is best suited for semifrequent Southwest flyers who want to earn points and access travel perks without the high annual fee of a premium card. It's a solid mid-tier option for travelers looking to leverage day-of-travel benefits and work towards earning the coveted Companion Pass or A-List elite status. According to a detailed review, the card is particularly valuable for those who prioritize Southwest-specific benefits over maximizing rewards on everyday spending.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want strong, flexible rewards without a hefty annual fee. It is especially valuable for existing Bank of America and Merrill clients, who can amplify their earnings by 25% to 75% through the Preferred Rewards program. This card is ideal for those who prefer simplicity and cash-back-style flexibility, as detailed in our full card review.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® comparison didn't point you to the right card, don't worry. Let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that might be a better match for your wallet.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score to ensure you meet the good-to-excellent credit requirements.
- Review issuer application rules, as some banks have restrictions on recent new accounts.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer requirements.
Application Strategy
- Leverage existing banking relationships as some issuers, like Bank of America, may favor current customers.
- Be mindful of application timing due to issuer-specific rules on new accounts, such as Chase's 5/24 rule.
- Look for targeted or elevated offers through various channels before applying directly.
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
How flexible are the rewards earned with these cards?
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers more flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back, travel through its portal, or gift cards. Southwest Rapid Rewards points are primarily used for flights on Southwest Airlines.
Can I use points from the Bank of America card for Southwest flights?
While you cannot transfer Bank of America points directly to Southwest Rapid Rewards, you can use your points as a statement credit to cover the cost of a Southwest flight purchased with your card.
Which card is better if I don't fly Southwest regularly?
If you don't fly Southwest often, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card is likely a better choice due to its flexible rewards that are not tied to a single airline. The Southwest card’s value is best realized by those who frequently fly with the airline.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
