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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Hilton Honors: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best for frequent Southwest flyers who want to earn points on flights, groceries, and dining while enjoying premium travel perks.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: This card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who occasionally stay at Hilton properties and want to earn rewards on everyday spending like U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
- Cardholders can earn points on Southwest purchases and everyday spending categories, though the card does come with an annual fee.
- It offers valuable travel perks for Southwest flyers, including an annual travel credit, discounts on inflight purchases, and up to four upgraded boardings per year.
- The combination of the annual travel credit and anniversary bonus points can significantly offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- All points earned, including from the welcome bonus, help you qualify for the highly sought-after Southwest Companion Pass®.
- Card spending can help you earn Tier Qualifying Points, providing a shortcut to A-List elite status with the airline.
- Provides comprehensive travel and purchase protections, offering peace of mind for everything from delayed bags to damaged new items.
Cons
- Carries a higher annual fee than other Southwest credit card options.
- The rewards program is restrictive, as points provide the most value when redeemed for Southwest flights, making the card less ideal for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
- Lacks certain premium travel perks found on competing cards, such as airport lounge access or an introductory APR offer.
Hilton Honors American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
- It’s a great entry point for Hilton loyalists, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
- Cardholders automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver status, which unlocks benefits like a fifth night free on reward stays (terms apply).
- Since there's no annual fee to offset, the card provides value from your very first purchase, making a break-even calculation unnecessary (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Silver status, which unlocks valuable perks like a bonus on points earned during stays and a fifth night free on reward bookings (terms apply).
- The card offers accelerated earning rates on purchases made directly with Hilton, as well as on everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- A generous welcome offer provides a substantial number of bonus points for new cardmembers who meet the initial spending requirements.
Cons
- The card lacks premium travel perks like free night rewards or resort credits that are available on higher-tier Hilton cards.
- Hilton Honors points typically have a lower redemption value compared to competing hotel programs, and there are limited options for transferring points to airline partners.
- It offers minimal travel insurance and protection benefits, which can be a significant drawback for frequent travelers.
Hilton Honors American Express vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or Hilton Honors American Express card, ultimately depends on your travel habits and brand loyalty.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is designed for frequent flyers of Southwest Airlines, offering the most value to travelers who are loyal to the airline and want to maximize rewards within its ecosystem.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: This card is ideal for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties and are looking for an entry-level hotel rewards card to earn points and enjoy status benefits.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines, with the value of points tied to the cash price of the ticket. You can also use points for other travel-related purchases like international flights, hotels, and car rentals through the airline's portal.
Hilton Honors American Express Card: Points are redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Hilton portfolio. Cardholders can also use their points for unique experiences, car rentals, or transfer them to airline partners.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is built for Southwest loyalists. It has no foreign transaction fees and allows points to be used on more than just flights through the airline's travel portal. While it lacks traditional airport lounge access, it offers an annual travel credit and Upgraded Boardings each year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: This card's ecosystem is centered on Hilton properties. It provides complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status (Terms apply), but it does not include airport lounge access and charges foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, which helps you compare thousands of cards to find the best fit for your financial situation.
- ‘Test drive’ credit cards to see personalized earnings projections based on your actual spending data, with no impact on your credit score.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of being approved.
- Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Track your progress toward credit card sign-up bonuses and monitor your credit score for free.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is designed for loyal Southwest customers who fly with the airline several times a year. These travelers can easily offset the annual fee by taking full advantage of benefits like the annual travel credit, anniversary bonus points, and upgraded boardings. Furthermore, it's an excellent tool for those pursuing A-List status or the valuable Companion Pass®, as all points earned with the Priority card count toward these goals.
Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express?
The Hilton Honors American Express card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for occasional Hilton guests who can maximize its value by earning 5X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Additionally, this card is a solid option for those with good credit who are looking to build their credit history while accumulating travel rewards.
Alternatives to Consider
So, our Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Hilton Honors comparison didn't point you to a clear winner? No problem—let's look at a few other travel cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.
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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 – You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
- Know the issuer's rules – Be aware of application restrictions, like Amex's once-per-lifetime rule.
- Plan your redemptions – Understand how you will use the points to ensure you get maximum value.
Application Strategy
- Time your application strategically - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for the welcome offer.
- Search for the best offer - Welcome offers can fluctuate, so it pays to look for an elevated bonus before applying.
- Consider your travel habits - A co-branded card, like one for Southwest or Hilton, is most valuable if you are loyal to that specific brand.
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
Can I transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and Hilton Honors?
Direct transfers between Southwest and Hilton's loyalty programs are not possible; while some third-party services offer a workaround, the exchange rates are typically unfavorable and diminish the value of your points.
Which program is better for extensive international travel?
For travelers venturing far abroad, the Hilton Honors program offers a clear advantage due to Hilton's vast global portfolio of properties, whereas Southwest Airlines focuses its routes primarily on the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Is it worth getting both a Southwest and a Hilton credit card?
Holding cards from both programs can be a savvy move for travelers who frequently use both Southwest for flights and Hilton for lodging, allowing you to earn targeted rewards and maximize benefits from your brand loyalty.
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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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