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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers looking to maximize rewards on travel, groceries, and dining while enjoying valuable airline-specific perks.
- The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card is a premium travel card best suited for those who want luxury benefits and high rewards on travel and dining, especially for existing Bank of America customers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card stands out.
- The card is packed with valuable perks for frequent Southwest flyers, including up to four upgraded boardings per year and a 25% rebate on inflight purchases.
- While it comes with an annual fee, the card provides an annual Southwest travel credit and anniversary bonus points that help offset the cost.
- The combination of the $75 annual travel credit and 6,000 anniversary bonus points can significantly lower the card's effective annual cost (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus for new cardmembers and annual anniversary points.
- Valuable travel perks like upgraded boardings, inflight purchase rebates, and no foreign transaction fees.
- A clear path to earning the Southwest Companion Pass® and A-List elite status.
Cons
- The card’s value is almost exclusively for Southwest loyalists, as points are most valuable for the airline’s flights and cannot be transferred to other loyalty programs.
- It carries a notable annual fee but lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access that are often found on competing cards.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite.
- The card offers a suite of luxury travel perks, including complimentary airport lounge access and various travel protections.
- While it carries an annual fee, it provides solid rewards on travel and dining purchases, plus a flat rate on everything else.
- Cardholders can offset the annual fee in the first year by maximizing the available travel and lifestyle statement credits (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Offers annual statement credits for airline incidentals and select lifestyle spending categories.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members receive a rewards bonus on every purchase, significantly boosting earning potential.
- Provides access to premium benefits at select hotels and with major car rental companies.
Cons
- The card’s high annual fee can be difficult to offset with statement credits every year.
- It lacks airline and hotel transfer partners, a significant drawback that limits redemption flexibility compared to other premium travel cards.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, depends entirely on your travel habits and banking preferences. One card is built for loyalists of a specific airline, while the other offers broader luxury travel perks for those within its banking ecosystem.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent Southwest flyers and brand loyalists. It's ideal for domestic travelers and families who want to maximize airline-specific benefits and pursue elite status or the Companion Pass®.
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card: This card caters to frequent travelers seeking luxury perks like lounge access and statement credits. It offers the most value to those already invested in the Bank of America banking and investment ecosystem.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on the airline. You can also use points for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel experiences.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card: Points offer flexible redemption options, including cash back, statement credits, and travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. The value of your points can be enhanced if you are a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
Travel Perks
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card:
- Offers broad airport lounge access through a Priority Pass™ Select membership.
- Features a flexible travel portal, the Bank of America Travel Center, for booking flights, hotels, and more.
- Provides an annual airline incidental statement credit that can be used across various airlines.
- Charges no foreign transaction fees.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card:
- Does not include airport lounge access.
- Travel and redemptions are managed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, focusing on the airline’s own flights.
- Includes an annual travel credit specifically for Southwest purchases and offers airline-centric perks like upgraded boardings.
- Charges no foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a comprehensive tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.
- Use the 'Test Drive' feature to see how much a new card could earn you based on your actual spending data, all before you apply.
- Manage all your credit cards in one place, track your spending, and get personalized insights to maximize your rewards.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal available.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its airline-specific perks like the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also an excellent tool for loyalists aiming to accelerate their journey toward A-List status or the highly sought-after Companion Pass® by earning qualifying points on their spending. Ultimately, this card provides the most value to domestic travelers and families who consistently choose Southwest for its extensive network and flexible policies.
Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite?
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card is best suited for frequent travelers who are already deeply integrated into the Bank of America ecosystem, including those with existing bank or investment accounts. These cardholders can maximize the card's value by taking full advantage of its annual travel and lifestyle credits, along with luxury perks like Priority Pass lounge access. The card is especially lucrative for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn a rewards bonus of 25%-75% on every purchase, enhancing the card's overall features and benefits.
Alternatives to Consider
Has our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite comparison left you undecided? If neither card feels like the perfect match, don't worry—plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards might better suit your spending habits 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
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the welcome offer spending requirement naturally.
- Understand the rewards ecosystem – Know how you will redeem your points for maximum value.
Application Strategy
- Be aware of issuer-specific rules that may affect your approval odds.
- Consider how a new card fits within your existing banking or travel loyalty programs.
- Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
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 flies Southwest exclusively?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is designed specifically for Southwest loyalists, offering benefits like annual travel credits and bonus points that directly enhance the Southwest flying experience. The Bank of America card offers more flexible rewards but lacks Southwest-specific perks.
Can I transfer points from the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card to Southwest Airlines?
No, Bank of America Rewards points cannot be transferred directly to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. You can, however, use your points to book Southwest flights through the Bank of America Travel Center.
What are the main differences in travel credits between the two cards?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers an annual Southwest travel credit, while the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card provides broader airline incidental statement credits and other travel-related credits. The best choice depends on whether you prefer brand-specific or more flexible travel benefits.
Which card has a higher annual fee?
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card typically has a significantly higher annual fee than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card. However, its extensive credits and benefits can offset the cost for frequent travelers who can maximize them.
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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.
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