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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Capital One SavorOne: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers looking to maximize rewards and enjoy premium travel benefits on the airline.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is great for earning cash back on everyday spending like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Let's dive into the specific benefits that make this card a top choice for those who frequently fly with Southwest.
- It significantly accelerates your path to earning the Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the most valuable perks in travel.
- Cardholders enjoy a suite of valuable travel benefits, including an annual travel credit, anniversary bonus points, and upgraded boardings.
- Everyday spending helps you earn elite status faster, unlocking even more premium travel benefits.
Pros
- A generous welcome bonus and annual anniversary points provide a consistent boost to your rewards balance.
- Valuable travel credits and perks like upgraded boardings significantly enhance the Southwest travel experience.
- Card spending accelerates your journey to A-List status and the highly sought-after Companion Pass®.
Cons
- Carries a higher annual fee than other Southwest co-branded cards.
- Rewards lack flexibility, as points deliver the most value only when redeemed for Southwest flights.
- It doesn't include premium travel benefits like airport lounge access.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Capital One SavorOne Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card a standout choice for foodies and entertainment lovers.
- You can earn unlimited cash back in popular spending categories, including dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- Rewards are easy to earn with no rotating categories to manage, and they can be redeemed for any amount.
- The card comes with useful benefits like access to exclusive entertainment and dining experiences and tools to help monitor your credit.
Pros
- Earn unlimited cash back on popular spending categories, including dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
- Rewards are flexible, can be redeemed for any amount, and do not expire for the life of the account.
- The card has no foreign transaction fees and provides access to exclusive entertainment and dining experiences.
Cons
- The card charges an annual fee.
- It does not offer a welcome bonus for new cardholders or an introductory APR on purchases.
- The ongoing APR is high, which can be costly for those who carry a balance.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or Capital One SavorOne, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. The right choice comes down to whether you prioritize travel perks with a specific airline or flexible cash back on everyday purchases.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is built for frequent Southwest flyers and travelers loyal to the airline. It offers perks specifically designed to enhance the Southwest travel experience and helps users work towards elite status.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best suited for those who want to earn cash back on everyday spending like dining, entertainment, and groceries. It is also designed for individuals with fair credit who are looking to build their credit history while earning rewards.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards loyalty program. These points can be used for flights, gift cards, hotel stays, and other travel-related purchases offered by the airline.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers flexible cash back rewards that can be redeemed at any time with no minimum amount. You can receive your rewards as a statement credit to lower your account balance or request a check.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built exclusively around Southwest Airlines. Cardholders receive anniversary miles, an annual travel credit for use on Southwest, and perks like upgraded boardings. It does not include general airport lounge access, and foreign transactions will incur a fee.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card provides a more flexible travel ecosystem. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international use. Miles can be redeemed in various ways, including through the Capital One Travel portal to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. This card does not offer airport lounge access or specific airline credits.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial tool that allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, helping you find the best option based on your unique spending patterns.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of approval.
- Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and stay on top of all your credit card perks.
- Unlock exclusive benefits like Kudos Boost rewards and a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select approved cards to your wallet.
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 premium perks, such as the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also a powerful tool for loyalists aiming to achieve the coveted Companion Pass® or earn A-List status faster through points earned on spending. Additionally, families and domestic travelers who stick to Southwest's extensive network will find significant value in accumulating rewards for their vacation travel.
Who Should Choose the Capital One SavorOne Rewards?
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals with fair credit who are looking to earn rewards while strengthening their credit profile. It's particularly well-suited for those whose typical spending falls into categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, allowing them to earn unlimited 3% cash back on these common purchases. Ultimately, this card serves as a valuable steppingstone, offering a path to potentially higher credit lines and qualifying for more premium cards in the future through responsible use.
Alternatives to Consider
Deciding between the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority and the Capital One SavorOne Rewards can be tough, and sometimes neither is the right answer. If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs. Capital One SavorOne comparison didn't point you to a clear winner, let's explore a few other options that could be a better fit.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Know your credit score - most cards require good to excellent credit, but some are designed for those with fair credit.
- Check for pre-approval tools - many issuers let you check your eligibility with no impact to your credit score.
- Review issuer application rules - some banks limit how many cards you can open or how often you can earn a welcome bonus.
Application Strategy
- Time your application around a large purchase to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Consider how a card's benefits fit your lifestyle, such as choosing a co-branded airline card if you're a loyal flyer.
- Look into product-change or upgrade options if you already have a card with the same issuer.
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 do I choose between a co-branded airline card and a general cash back card?
Your choice depends on your spending and travel patterns. If you are loyal to a specific airline, a co-branded card can provide significant value through travel-specific perks, while a general cash back card may be more suitable if your spending is varied and you value flexibility.
What kind of rewards does an airline credit card typically offer?
Airline credit cards primarily earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights and upgrades with the associated airline. They also frequently come with benefits such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
What are the main benefits of a cash back credit card?
The primary benefit of a cash back card is its simplicity and flexibility. You earn cash rewards on purchases, often with higher rates in common spending categories like dining or at grocery stores, which you can then redeem in various ways.
Can I have both an airline card and a cash back card?
Absolutely. Using both types of cards can be a smart strategy to maximize rewards across all your spending by using the airline card for booking travel and the cash back card for everyday expenses.
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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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