JetBlue Plus Card
vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

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 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.

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

• Free checked first bags for you and up to three companions on JetBlue flights

Status

• Earn one tile towards Mosaic for every $1,000 spent

Credits and Discounts

• $100 statement credit for JetBlue Vacations packages
• 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases

All Other Perks

• 10% of your points back when redeeming for JetBlue travel
• 5,000 bonus points on your account anniversary

Travel Perks

• Two EarlyBird Check-In each year, allowing earlier boarding and selecting preferred seats
• 25% back on inflight purchases

Status

• Unlimited tier qualifying points earned for every $5,000 spent, contributing to A-List status
• Companion Pass Intro Offer Value, a high-value benefit for frequent travelers who meet the spending requirement

Insurance and Protections

• Lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance, offering protection and potential high value in case of travel disruptions

Credits and Discounts

• DoorDash membership for savings on food delivery, with activation required

All other perks

• 6,000 anniversary points each year, providing recurring value for frequent travelers

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.