United Club vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority.

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• The card is packed with valuable travel perks for frequent Southwest flyers, including upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit.
• While it comes with an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel.
• The combination of the annual travel credit and anniversary bonus points can significantly offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• All points earned with the card count toward qualifying for the highly sought-after Southwest Companion Pass® and A-List elite status.
• Improves your day-of-travel experience with benefits like upgraded boardings and statement credits on inflight purchases.
• Includes a range of travel protections and charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.

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Cons

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• Has a higher annual fee than other Southwest card options.
• Rewards are less flexible than general travel cards, with points delivering the most value only when redeemed for Southwest flights.
• Lacks premium perks like airport lounge access, which are common on other travel cards in its class.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs United Club

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Club or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty to a specific airline. Let's break down who each card is designed for.

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• The United Club℠ Card is best for frequent United flyers, business travelers, and international travelers who value airport lounge access and premium travel perks.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideal for frequent domestic travelers and families loyal to Southwest who want to earn elite status and take advantage of the airline's flexible policies.

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Redemption

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United Club℠ Card: Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines. You can also use your miles for travel upgrades, hotel stays, and other experiences available through the MileagePlus portal.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, where the point value is directly tied to the cash price of the fare. This creates a highly flexible system with no blackout dates or seat restrictions on any Southwest-operated flight.

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Travel Perks

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• United Club℠ Card: This card builds a premium travel experience around the United and Star Alliance network.
  • Lounge Access: The headline benefit is a full United Club membership, giving you and your eligible travel companions access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance partner lounges globally.
  • Baggage Perks: Save on fees with two free checked bags for you and a companion on the same reservation for United-operated flights.
  • Priority Services: Enjoy Premier Access, which smooths your airport journey with priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling.
  • International Travel: No foreign transaction fees are charged on purchases made outside the United States.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The ecosystem for this card is deeply integrated with Southwest's customer-friendly policies, enhancing the value for loyalists.
  • Annual Travel Credit: Cardholders receive an annual travel credit applicable to Southwest flights.
  • Boarding Benefits: Comes with several Upgraded Boardings per year, allowing you to secure a coveted A1-A15 boarding position.
  • Earning Elite Status: Gives you a head start on earning A-List status by providing a boost of Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs).
  • International Travel: While Southwest's network is primarily domestic, the card has no foreign transaction fees for any purchases you make abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the right card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own data.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see personalized reward projections before you apply.
• Receive detailed approval odds based on your credit report to understand your chances before applying.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Access Kudos Boost to earn extra rewards on top of your card’s own rewards when shopping at partner stores.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for loyal United Airlines flyers, particularly those who travel several times a year for business or leisure. These travelers will find immense value in the complimentary United Club membership, which provides access to a network of airport lounges worldwide. Additionally, the card is a strong contender for those chasing MileagePlus Premier status or seeking robust travel protections, making it a premium travel companion.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for loyal Southwest customers who fly the airline several times a year. These travelers can easily maximize the card's premium benefits, such as the annual $75 Southwest travel credit, four upgraded boardings per year, and anniversary bonus points. It's also an excellent tool for those pursuing the coveted Companion Pass® or looking to fast-track their way to A-List status through credit card spending.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Club vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect travel companion, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel style.

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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 - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome offer.
• Review the benefits - Understand how the card's perks align with your travel habits to maximize its value.

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Application Strategy

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• Be aware of issuer application rules - Some issuers have restrictions based on how many cards you've recently opened.
• Pick a card that matches your loyalty - Co-branded cards offer the most value when you frequently fly with that airline.
• Apply strategically to maximize unique perks - Some welcome offers can help you earn elite status or companion passes faster.

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 access airport lounges with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card does not include airport lounge access. Its primary benefits focus on priority services and statement credits for Southwest Airlines flights.

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Can I bring a guest into the United Club with the United Club Infinite Card?

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Yes, as a primary United Club℠ Infinite Cardmember, you can bring up to two adult guests or one adult and dependent children under 21 into participating United Club locations.

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Are the benefits of these cards applicable to other airlines?

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The benefits for both the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are specific to their respective airlines. You will not receive lounge access or priority boarding when flying with other carriers.

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