Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs British Airways Visa Signature: Which Is Better In 2025?

British Airways Visa Signature® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the British Airways Visa Signature® Card a compelling choice for travelers.

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• Cardholders can earn valuable Avios on flights with British Airways and its partners, as well as on hotel stays and everyday purchases, though the card does carry an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• The card eliminates foreign transaction fees and includes a valuable Travel Together Ticket after meeting a spending threshold, which allows a companion to fly for just the cost of taxes and fees.
• Based on our estimates, spending about $4,750 on hotel accommodations each year could earn you enough rewards to cover the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Strong Avios earning potential, with accelerated rewards on flights with British Airways and its partners, as well as on hotel accommodations.
• Valuable travel-centric perks, including a unique companion ticket benefit and a discount on British Airways flights.
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases and a suite of travel and purchase protections.

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Cons

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• The card’s rewards program is somewhat restrictive, with Avios points offering the most value when redeemed for flights on British Airways and its partners.
• Even when redeeming points for reward flights, you may face substantial taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges that can diminish the value of your Avios.
• The card includes an annual fee, and its signature Travel Together Ticket benefit comes with notable restrictions that can limit its flexibility and use.

British Airways Visa Signature® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Deciding on the right airline credit card depends entirely on your travel habits, so let's explore which is better: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or British Airways Visa Signature.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card - This card is best for semi-frequent domestic flyers loyal to Southwest Airlines who want to earn points and enjoy day-of-travel benefits with the airline.
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card - This card is designed for frequent international travelers, particularly those who fly British Airways or its airline partners and can take advantage of its companion travel benefits.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: Points earned with this card are redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, offering a simple system for domestic award travel. The value of your points is directly tied to the fare, so there are no blackout dates on Southwest-operated flights.

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British Airways Visa Signature®: Cardholders earn Avios, which can be redeemed for flights on British Airways and its extensive network of Oneworld airline partners. This provides significant flexibility for international travel, though redemptions can be more complex and may involve carrier-imposed surcharges.

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Travel Perks

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• Fees and Surcharges: Both cards are excellent for international spending as neither charges foreign transaction fees. The key difference emerges when booking award flights. Southwest redemptions are straightforward and do not include carrier-imposed surcharges. In contrast, booking with British Airways Avios often involves significant taxes, fees, and carrier charges, particularly on long-haul flights, though the British Airways card may offer statement credits to help offset these costs.
• Companion Perks: Each card offers a pathway to a valuable companion benefit. Points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card contribute toward the airline's coveted Companion Pass, which allows a designated person to fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees. After meeting a substantial annual spending requirement, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card provides a Travel Together Ticket, which lets you bring a companion on an award flight by only paying the taxes and surcharges.
• Airline-Specific Benefits: The Southwest card provides more direct value on the day of travel, offering annual anniversary points and credits toward perks like Upgraded Boarding. The British Airways card’s main benefit is a discount on paid flights booked via a specific portal. Neither card includes complimentary airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, you can use a tool like Kudos, an ultimate financial companion that helps you compare thousands of cards using your real spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Personalized card matching: Discover new credit cards that are personally matched to your spending history to maximize your earnings.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points when you shop at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semi-frequent Southwest flyers who are looking for a solid middle ground between the airline's entry-level and top-tier cards. This card suits travelers who fly with the airline occasionally but want to enjoy more substantial benefits—like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-Ins—without committing to the highest annual fee. Ultimately, it's a strong choice for Southwest loyalists who want to accelerate their points earning and enjoy enhanced travel perks, as detailed in a comprehensive card review.

Who Should Choose the British Airways Visa Signature®?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is a strong contender for frequent international travelers, particularly those loyal to British Airways and its oneworld alliance partners. Its most compelling feature, the Travel Together Ticket, offers significant value for individuals or couples who can meet the annual spending requirement to earn a companion pass. Beyond this perk, the card is best for those who want to maximize Avios on flights and direct hotel bookings while benefiting from no foreign transaction fees and travel protections, as detailed in this complete guide.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. British Airways Visa Signature® comparison has left you looking for other options, you're in the right place. Let's explore a few alternative travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel goals.

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_{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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
• Know the rules: Issuers have unique application restrictions, like Chase’s 5/24 rule or Amex’s once-per-lifetime bonus policy.
• Have a plan: Map out how you’ll meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer and use the card’s core benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Mind the 5/24 rule - Many Chase-issued cards are subject to this restriction on new accounts.
• Check bonus eligibility - Some issuers restrict welcome offers if you have or recently had another card in the same family.
• Evaluate high-spend perks - Ensure you can unlock top-tier benefits, like companion passes, with your natural spending.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I transfer points between my Southwest and British Airways accounts?

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No, you cannot transfer points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card to the British Airways Executive Club, or vice versa. Each card earns points exclusively for its respective airline's loyalty program.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is generally more advantageous for international travel, especially to Europe, due to its extensive global network and Oneworld alliance partners. Southwest primarily serves destinations within the United States and the Caribbean.

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Do both cards help me earn elite status?

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Yes, spending on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card can help you earn tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status. The British Airways Visa Signature® Card does not directly help with elite status, but it does offer a valuable Travel Together Ticket after meeting a high annual spending threshold.

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