Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Citi Double Cash® Card a standout choice.

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• Its straightforward rewards structure offers an effective 2% cash back on every purchase, earned as 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay.
• It provides one of the longest 0% introductory APR periods for balance transfers on the market, though it does have a balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fee (See Rates & Fees).
• Transferring a $5,000 balance could save you around $1,500 in interest over the 18-month introductory period, easily offsetting the initial transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• No annual fee.
• Straightforward rewards structure with no rotating categories to track.
• Generous introductory APR offer for balance transfers.

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Cons

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• A foreign transaction fee applies, making it less than ideal for use abroad.
• The introductory 0% APR offer is limited to balance transfers and doesn't apply to new purchases.
• Lacks bonus categories for accelerated earnings on specific types of spending.

Citi Double Cash® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Choosing which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on whether you prioritize airline-specific travel perks or straightforward cash back on your spending.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card - This card is best for semi-frequent Southwest flyers who want to enjoy day-of-travel benefits and earn points toward elite status and the coveted Companion Pass.
• Citi Double Cash® Card - This card is ideal for consumers seeking simple, flat-rate cash back on everyday spending or for those looking to pay down existing credit card debt with a lengthy introductory balance transfer offer.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights with the airline. You can also use your points on other travel purchases, merchandise, and gift cards available through the Southwest portal.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: Rewards are earned as simple cash back that can be redeemed for a statement credit, direct deposit, or a check. You can also convert your cash back to Citi ThankYou® Points for more flexible travel redemptions.

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Travel Perks

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• The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the clear winner for international use, as it has no foreign transaction fees. The Citi Double Cash® Card does charge a fee on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Being an airline co-branded card, the Southwest Premier comes with valuable perks for flying with the airline, including two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year and the ability to earn points that count toward A-List status and the coveted Companion Pass. The Citi Double Cash® Card offers no such airline-specific benefits.
• The Southwest card's ecosystem is centered on the airline, with points used for flights and other travel through the Southwest portal. The Citi Double Cash® Card provides greater flexibility; its cash back rewards can be converted to Citi ThankYou® Points, which can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners.
• The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers a layer of security with travel protections like lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance. These travel-specific insurance benefits are not included with the Citi Double Cash® Card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking for a way to compare top-rated credit cards and find the best fit for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help.

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• Test drive credit cards: The platform’s “Test Drive” feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Maximize rewards: Kudos helps you use the best card for every purchase, automatically filling it in at checkout to ensure you never miss out on points.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card recommendations tailored to your unique spending patterns, moving beyond generic advice to find the perfect match for your wallet.
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• Unlock exclusive offers: Gain access to additional rewards through Kudos Boost, which can be stacked on top of your regular credit card earnings.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for the semifrequent Southwest flyer who seeks a middle ground between the airline's entry-level and premium card offerings. According to a review from The Points Guy, it's a solid choice for travelers who want more day-of-travel benefits than the Plus card provides but don't need the extensive perks that come with the higher-annual-fee Priority card. With valuable anniversary bonus points and travel perks like EarlyBird Check-In, this card delivers consistent value for loyal Southwest customers who want to enhance their travel experience without paying for top-tier benefits.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who value simplicity and want to earn a high, flat-rate cash back on all their spending without tracking categories. It's also ideal for individuals looking to pay down existing high-interest debt, thanks to its lengthy 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card best serves those who want straightforward rewards and a powerful debt-management tool, all without an annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Citi Double Cash® comparison, you might find that neither card quite fits your spending habits. Fortunately, there are several other excellent cards on the market worth considering.

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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 - Requirements can range from fair for a card like the Citi Double Cash® Card to good or excellent for others.
• Review issuer application rules - Issuers like Chase have restrictions based on your number of recent new accounts, which could affect an application for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Make sure you can meet any spending requirements for a bonus without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Align it with large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have strict policies, like the 5/24 rule associated with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, that could impact your approval.
• Try different methods - If you don't see the best offer right away, sometimes using a different browser or device can help.

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 Citi Double Cash and Southwest Rapid Rewards accounts?

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No, you cannot transfer rewards between these two cards as they belong to separate loyalty programs. The Citi Double Cash Card earns Citi ThankYou Points, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Citi Double Cash Card is generally the better option for use abroad because it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, on the other hand, does come with a foreign transaction fee for purchases made outside the United States.

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Do both cards have an annual fee?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has an annual fee, whereas the Citi Double Cash Card does not. It's important to consider if the benefits of the Southwest card, such as its anniversary points bonus, outweigh the yearly cost for your spending habits.

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