Updated: October 21, 2024
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The JetBlue Plus Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offer valuable rewards for frequent flyers. The Rapid Rewards Premier is the better choice for most travelers due to its broader airline rewards and lower credit score requirement. It offers three points on Southwest purchases and anniversary points.
However, the JetBlue Plus remains attractive with its six points on JetBlue fares and free checked bags.
The JetBlue Plus is a great choice for frequent JetBlue flyers looking to maximize rewards on JetBlue purchases. With six points per dollar on JetBlue fares and a free checked bag, it offers significant value for regular travelers. However, it may not suit those who prefer airlines with a wider range of destinations or who don't fly with JetBlue often.
The Rapid Rewards Premier is a better option for travelers who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines and want to earn rewards across various spending categories. It offers three points on Southwest purchases and two points on local transit, commuting and select streaming services. Benefits include anniversary bonus points and an earlier boarding position for selecting preferred seats. However, it may be less valuable for those who don't fly with Southwest often or use its partners.
A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card stacks up in key areas like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you're focused on earning airline rewards, the JetBlue Plus offers six points on JetBlue purchases, while the Rapid Rewards Premier provides three points on Southwest purchases.
The Rapid Rewards Premier has a lower APR range of 20.99%–27.99% than JetBlue Plus' 21.24%–29.99%.
Both cards have an annual fee of $99.
Neither card offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.
The JetBlue Plus offers six points on JetBlue purchases compared to Rapid Rewards Premier's three points on Southwest. Also, the JetBlue Plus provides two points on dining and groceries.
The JetBlue Plus gives 50,000 bonus points, with a higher return on investment (ROI) of 87%, after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee within 90 days. The Rapid Rewards Premier offers the same points but with a lower ROI of 70%.
The Rapid Rewards Premier requires a good to excellent credit score (670–850), while the JetBlue Plus needs an excellent score (740–850).
The JetBlue Plus has no penalty APR, while the Rapid Rewards Premier has a penalty APR of up to 29.99%. Both cards have similar late fees and cash advance fees.
Customers report higher satisfaction with Chase Bank, Rapid Rewards Premier's issuer, rating it 4.1 compared to Barclays Bank Delaware’s 3.5, JetBlue Plus' issuer.
The Rapid Rewards Premier offers higher-value perks like EarlyBird Check-In and Companion Pass points. The JetBlue Plus provides valuable benefits like free checked bags, but its overall expected value is lower.
The JetBlue Plus offers a higher earning rate on airline purchases, making it potentially more rewarding for frequent flyers. JetBlue points are valued at about 1.45 cents, while Southwest points are valued at roughly 1.4 cents. The Rapid Rewards Premier provides solid rewards for Southwest purchases and additional categories like local transit and streaming services.
Below is a table outlining the rewards categories and earning rates for each card, helping you make an informed decision.
Category | JetBlue Plus | Rapid Rewards Premier |
|---|---|---|
JetBlue Purchases | 6X points | 1X point |
Southwest Purchases | 1X point | 3X points |
Dining | 2X points | 1X point |
Groceries | 2X points | 1X point |
Local Transit and Commuting | 1X point | 2X points |
Internet and Cable | 1X point | 2X points |
Streaming Services | 1X point | 2X points |
All Other Purchases | 1X point | 1X point |
JetBlue Plus points can be redeemed for any seat on JetBlue-operated flights, with the number of points required varying based on the base fare. Points never expire, offering flexibility for future travel. In contrast, Southwest points can be used for airfare, gift cards and more, with no expiration. Southwest's broader redemption options provide more flexibility, especially for those seeking non-flight rewards.
The JetBlue Plus offers valuable perks like free checked bags for up to three companions and the ability to earn Mosaic status. The Rapid Rewards Premier provides 6,000-anniversary points and EarlyBird Check-In for Southwest flyers. Both cards have unique benefits, but the Rapid Rewards Premier gives more value to those looking for affordable travel options, especially those who redeem points for value-oriented travel.
Travel Perks
Status
Credits and Discounts
All Other Perks
Travel Perks
Status
Insurance and Protections
Credits and Discounts
All other perks
The JetBlue Plus offers six points on JetBlue purchases, while the Rapid Rewards Premier offers three points on Southwest purchases.
The JetBlue Plus provides a free checked bag and 10% points back on award flights. The Rapid Rewards Premier offers 6,000 anniversary points and two EarlyBird Check-In per year.
The JetBlue Plus requires excellent credit (740–850), while the Rapid Rewards Premier needs good to excellent credit (670–850).
Both cards have a $99 annual fee.
Both cards offer 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
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:
For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
