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

The JetBlue Plus Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card are both strong contenders for frequent flyers. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the better option if you’re indifferent between the two cards as it has higher rewards on Southwest purchases and annual travel credit.

However, the JetBlue Plus Card's 6x points on JetBlue fares and free checked bags make it a compelling option for JetBlue loyalists. Despite its higher annual fee, the Rapid Rewards Priority Card's broader rewards categories and lower credit score requirement make it more accessible.

The JetBlue Plus is likely to be better for frequent JetBlue travelers who want to maximize their rewards on JetBlue purchases. With 6X points on JetBlue fares and perks like free checked bags, it caters to those who regularly fly with JetBlue. However, it may not be suitable for those who prefer airlines with a broader range of destinations or who do not fly JetBlue frequently enough to justify the annual fee.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card is likely to be better for travelers who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines and are interested in earning A-list status or a Companion Pass. With perks like annual travel credits, upgraded boardings, and no foreign transaction fees, it caters to those who value these benefits. However, if you rarely fly Southwest or prefer a lower annual fee, this card may not be the best fit.

A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card stacks up in areas like APRs, fees and rewards. For example, if you're looking for high rewards on airline purchases, JetBlue Plus offers 6X points on JetBlue fares, while Rapid Rewards Priority provides 3X points on Southwest purchases. JetBlue Plus is better for JetBlue flyers.

The JetBlue Plus Card generally offers better rewards for those who frequently fly with JetBlue, thanks to its higher earning rate on airline purchases. The TrueBlue JetBlue points are valued at approximately 1.45 cents, while Southwest Rapid Rewards points are valued at about 1.4 cents.

Both cards offer solid rewards, but the JetBlue Plus Card's higher earning potential on airline purchases may provide more value for frequent JetBlue travelers. For those indifferent to airline loyalty, the choice may come down to which spending categories align better with your habits. The JetBlue Plus Card rewards dining and grocery purchases, while the Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers bonuses on transit, internet, and streaming services.

Below, you'll find a table detailing the bonus categories for each card.

JetBlue Plus points can be redeemed for any seat on JetBlue flights, with no expiration. This flexibility makes it appealing for frequent JetBlue travelers. Rapid Rewards points offer broader redemption options, including airfare and gift cards, but are more limited outside Southwest flights. Both programs provide stable point values.

The Rapid Rewards Priority card offers superior benefits for travelers, with perks like a $75 travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points. JetBlue Plus provides a free checked bag and 10% points back on redemptions, appealing to those who value these specific benefits.

The JetBlue Plus Card offers a range of perks for frequent JetBlue travelers, including significant savings on checked baggage and a modest boost to point redemption value.

Travel perks

• Free checked first bags for you and a companion

Status

• Earn one tile towards Mosaic for every $1,000 spent on the credit card

Credits & discounts

• Receive a $100 statement credit after you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card.
• 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights

All other perks

• Get 10% of your points back after you redeem for and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight
• Earn 5,000 points bonus each year after your JetBlue Plus Card account anniversary

The Rapid Rewards Priority card offers a range of perks for frequent travelers and those seeking to maximize their travel rewards.

Travel perks

• Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available, 25% back on inflight purchases.

Status

• Unlimited tier qualifying points (TQPs), Companion Pass Intro Offer Value, 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year.

Insurance & protections

• Trip Insurance.

Credits & discounts

• Receive a $75 annual Southwest travel credit.

All other perks - 7,500 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary.

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.