JetBlue Card
vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The JetBlue Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card are both excellent choices for travelers seeking rewards without high annual fees. The JetBlue Card is the better option for dining enthusiasts and those who prefer JetBlue, offering 3x points on JetBlue purchases and no annual fee. It also provides bonus points on dining and groceries, making it versatile for everyday spending.

The Rapid Rewards Plus card, however, is ideal for Southwest loyalists. It offers a substantial sign-up bonus and 2x points on Southwest purchases. Despite its $69 annual fee, the anniversary points and travel perks make it a strong contender for frequent Southwest flyers.

The JetBlue Card is likely to be better for travelers who prefer JetBlue and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It offers 3X points on JetBlue purchases and 2X points on dining and groceries, making it a good choice for everyday spending. Additionally, it has no foreign transaction fees, which is beneficial for international travelers. However, it may not be ideal for those who prioritize perks like free checked bags.

The Rapid Rewards Plus is likely to be better for individuals who fly Southwest Airlines occasionally and want to earn a substantial sign-up bonus. This card offers 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months, which can be appealing for those looking to quickly accumulate points. However, due to its foreign transaction fees, it may not be the best choice for those who frequently travel internationally.

A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card stacks up in areas like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you're looking for dining rewards, the JetBlue Card offers 2X points at restaurants, while the Rapid Rewards Plus focuses on travel categories. .

Overall, the JetBlue Card offers better rewards value due to its higher earning rates on JetBlue purchases and dining. The JetBlue TrueBlue points are valued at approximately 1.45 cents, slightly higher than the SouthWest Rapid Rewards points, which are valued at 1.4 cents.

For those indifferent to airline loyalty, the JetBlue Card's rewards structure may appeal more to those who frequently dine out or shop for groceries. In contrast, the Rapid Rewards Plus card provides value for users who spend on transit and streaming services.

The following table will provide a detailed breakdown of the rewards categories for each card, allowing you to compare them at a glance.

Both the JetBlue Card and Rapid Rewards Plus offer flexible redemption options, but they have distinct differences. JetBlue points can be redeemed for any seat on JetBlue flights and do not expire, making them ideal for frequent JetBlue flyers. Southwest points, also non-expiring, offer broader redemption options, including flights, hotels and more, but are limited to Southwest and its partners. JetBlue's slightly higher point value may appeal to those prioritizing flight flexibility.

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.