United Quest vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Which Is Better In 2025?

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2161", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Southwest Flyers"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a look at why we think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier is a strong contender.

‍

• It comes packed with useful benefits for Southwest loyalists, including two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year and priority boarding.
• Although there is an annual fee, the card has no foreign transaction fees, which is a great perk for international travel.
• You receive 6,000 bonus points on your card anniversary, which can offset a majority of the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Cardholders receive a variety of travel benefits designed to improve the day-of-travel experience, such as a free first checked bag and priority boarding.
• The rewards program is flexible, featuring no blackout dates on award flights and the ability to change or cancel award tickets without fees.
• Spending on the card provides a boost toward earning A-List status and the highly sought-after Companion Pass.

‍

Cons

‍

• The annual fee can be steep, and some of the card’s key benefits are being discontinued.
• Its rewards-earning structure has limitations, including spending caps on certain bonus categories and the absence of a gas bonus category.
• It lacks premium travel perks like an annual travel credit or airport lounge access that are common on competing cards.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs United Quest

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, United Quest or Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, depends entirely on your travel habits and airline loyalty.

‍

• United Quest℠ Card: This card is designed for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize travel rewards and enjoy premium travel benefits. It is best for those who fly United several times per year and value perks that enhance their journey.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for semi-frequent Southwest Airlines flyers seeking a balance of travel perks and a moderate annual commitment. It's a solid choice for loyal Southwest customers who fly the airline occasionally to moderately often.

‍

Redemption

‍

United Quest℠ Card: Points are redeemable for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also use points for seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel experiences through the United portal.

‍

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points can be redeemed for any available seat on any Southwest flight with no blackout dates. The value of your points is directly tied to the fare, making redemption straightforward for flights, gift cards, and other rewards.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• United Quest℠ Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is built for the globally-minded United loyalist. It leverages United's vast network and its membership in the Star Alliance, offering broad redemption options across numerous partner airlines. While it doesn't provide general lounge access, it enhances the travel experience with valuable statement credits for United purchases and anniversary award credits that can be used for flights. A significant perk for international travelers is that it does not charge foreign transaction fees.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card's ecosystem is hyper-focused on the domestic-heavy Southwest network. While Southwest doesn't have airline lounges or a global alliance of partners, the card's primary value lies in its ability to help you earn the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the best deals in travel. All points earned with the card count toward qualifying. The card also provides perks like anniversary points and credits for EarlyBird Check-In®. Like its United counterpart, it also comes with no foreign transaction fees.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To make an informed decision based on your own spending, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards with its data-driven card explorer.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Personalized insights: Track your spending, monitor your credit score, and receive actionable insights to maximize your rewards.
• Exclusive rewards: Access special offers like Kudos Kickstart+ and Kudos Boost for extra earnings when you sign up and use the platform.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

‍

The United Quest℠ Card is tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to maximize rewards and enjoy premium benefits. It's particularly valuable for travelers who check bags and are looking for a faster path to MileagePlus Premier status through card spending. This mid-tier premium card is ideal for those who can justify its annual fee with their travel habits but don't need the top-tier perks like lounge access.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

‍

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is tailored for the regular Southwest Airlines flyer who seeks a middle ground, wanting more perks than the entry-level card without the premium price tag of the top-tier option. It’s ideal for travelers with good credit who value benefits like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-Ins and want to accelerate their progress toward A-List status. This card is also a strategic choice for those aiming to earn the Southwest Companion Pass more quickly, thanks to its annual qualifying points boost.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If the United Quest vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier comparison left you undecided, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your spending habits and travel goals.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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 application rules—be aware of issuer-specific policies, like Chase's 5/24 rule, that could affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending—ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome offer.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application around large, planned purchases to help meet spending requirements for the welcome offer.
• Be mindful of issuer-specific rules, such as bonus eligibility timelines or limits on recent new accounts.
• Select a card that aligns with your spending habits and travel loyalty to maximize its long-term value.

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 airline loyalty programs work?

‍

Airline loyalty programs, like United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards, allow you to earn points or miles on flights and purchases. You can then redeem these rewards for free flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks.

‍

Can I transfer points between different airline programs?

‍

Generally, you cannot directly transfer miles from one airline's loyalty program to another, such as from United to Southwest. However, some flexible credit card rewards programs allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline partners.

‍

What is a companion pass?

‍

A companion pass is a highly sought-after airline perk that allows you to designate one person to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most well-known examples in the travel industry.

‍

Are airline credit cards worth it if I don't fly often?

‍

It depends on the card's benefits and your spending habits. Many airline cards offer valuable perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and statement credits that can easily offset the annual fee, even for infrequent flyers.

‍