Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs IHG One Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?

IHG One Rewards Premier Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "502", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Excellent Travel Choice" } ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we think the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a standout choice.

‍

• You'll get automatic Platinum Elite Status, which comes with valuable perks like complimentary room upgrades when available and late check-out.
• The card comes with an annual fee but has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for your international trips.
• Its Anniversary Free Night Certificate, valid at properties costing up to 40,000 points, can easily cover the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a stay of four or more consecutive nights.
• Receive a statement credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck.
• Your IHG One Rewards points won't expire as long as you're a cardmember.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card has an annual fee that is not waived in the first year.
• The card's rewards are best suited for IHG loyalists; as a Kudos review points out, points have limited transfer partners and are most valuable when redeemed for stays within the IHG network.
• Some key benefits, like the anniversary free night certificate, come with restrictions that can limit their use at higher-end properties.

IHG One Rewards Premier vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or the IHG One Rewards Premier, comes down to your travel style and loyalty.

‍

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is best for frequent Southwest flyers, as it is designed to maximize rewards and benefits on Southwest Airlines purchases.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is ideal for travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, offering the most value on hotel-related spending.

‍

Redemption

‍

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

‍

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Rewards are redeemed through the IHG One Rewards program, where points can be used for reward nights at IHG Hotels & Resorts properties. Points can also be applied toward other travel experiences and merchandise.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority and the IHG One Rewards Premier cards are traveler-friendly, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Travel Portals: Each card's ecosystem is built around its parent company. The Southwest card's points are used through the Rapid Rewards portal, which is focused on booking Southwest flights but also includes options for car rentals, hotels, and experiences. The IHG card's rewards are managed through the IHG One Rewards portal, which is dedicated to booking stays across IHG's vast portfolio of hotel brands.
• Airport Lounge Access: Neither card includes complimentary access to a broad network of airport lounges. The Southwest card's perks are airline-specific, such as upgraded boardings, while the IHG card provides value through on-property benefits derived from elite status.
• Elite Status & Annual Perks: The IHG One Rewards Premier card automatically grants you Platinum Elite status, unlocking potential room upgrades and other hotel benefits, and it also includes an anniversary free night certificate. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card provides an annual travel credit and bonus points each year on your cardmember anniversary, enhancing its value for loyal flyers.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To eliminate the guesswork, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data to find the best fit.

‍

• A Test Drive feature that simulates your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual transaction history.
• A welcome offer guarantee, which matches any better offer you find within three months of approval.
• Detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards.
• Access to Kudos Boost for earning extra rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Tools to monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score.
• A $20 bonus for signing up with a promo code and making an eligible purchase.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card is tailor-made for frequent flyers of the airline who can easily offset the annual fee by using perks like the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings. It's also a powerful tool for Southwest loyalists aiming to earn the valuable Companion Pass® or accelerate their journey to A-List elite status through credit card spending. Ultimately, families and domestic travelers who regularly fly Southwest's extensive network will find the most value in this premium card.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

‍

This card is tailor-made for frequent guests of IHG properties—like Holiday Inn, Kimpton, or InterContinental—who want to get the most out of their brand loyalty. These travelers value the immediate upgrade to Platinum Elite status for perks like room upgrades and late check-out, and they often book longer trips where the fourth reward night free benefit provides significant savings. Ultimately, the card is most rewarding for those who will use the annual free night certificate, which, as one in-depth review highlights, can easily offset the annual fee for dedicated IHG patrons.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If this Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs IHG One Rewards Premier comparison shows that neither card is the right fit for you, don't worry. The world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options could be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]

‍

_{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 - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Be aware of any restrictions from the card issuer that might affect your eligibility for a new card.
• Confirm your bonus eligibility - Check if you qualify for the welcome offer if you currently have or previously had a similar card.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Plan your spending - Time your application around large, planned purchases to meet the welcome offer's spending requirement naturally.
• Research redemption options - Understand how you'll use your points, as co-branded cards like the Southwest Priority Card and IHG Premier Card are best for brand loyalists.
• Be patient with offers - If you don't receive the best offer initially, you can often decline it without impacting your credit score and try again later.

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 IHG One Rewards?

‍

No, you cannot directly transfer points between these two separate loyalty programs. Each program's points are exclusive to their respective brands, Southwest Airlines and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

‍

Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

‍

The better card for your daily purchases depends on your spending habits. The IHG One Rewards Premier card typically offers stronger rewards on broader categories like dining and gas, whereas the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card's earning structure is more focused on Southwest purchases.

‍

Do the anniversary benefits of both cards offset the annual fee?

‍

For frequent travelers, both cards provide anniversary benefits that can easily outweigh the annual fee. The Southwest Priority card offers an annual travel credit and bonus points, while the IHG Premier card provides a valuable Anniversary Free Night certificate.

‍