Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card are excellent choices for Southwest Airlines loyalists. The Rapid Rewards Priority Card is better for frequent travelers due to its additional perks, like a $75 annual travel credit and more anniversary points. Both cards offer high rewards on Southwest purchases and generous welcome bonuses, but the Priority card provides more value for those who travel often.

However, the Rapid Rewards Premier Card, with its lower annual fee, remains a strong contender for value-focused travelers seeking to earn rewards on Southwest flights.

The Rapid Rewards Premier Card is better for frequent Southwest flyers looking to maximize rewards. It offers three points on Southwest purchases and no foreign transaction fees. The 6,000 anniversary points add long-term value, but the $99 annual fee may not be worth it for infrequent flyers.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card is likely to be better for frequent Southwest travelers who can take advantage of its additional perks. It offers a $75 annual travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points and four upgraded boardings per year, adding value for regular flyers. However, its higher annual fee might not be worth it for those who travel less or don't need these extras.

A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card compares in key areas like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you fly Southwest often, the Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers 7,500 anniversary points and a $75 travel credit, which is more rewarding than Rapid Rewards Premier Card's 6,000 points without a travel credit.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers better rewards value with 7,500 anniversary points each year, compared to 6,000 for the Premier Card. This gives the Priority Card an edge in ongoing rewards.

Both cards earn three points on Southwest purchases and two points on local transit, internet, cable and select streaming services. Points are valued at around 1.4 cents each, making them attractive for frequent Southwest travelers.

The table below shows the rewards categories for each card, allowing you to compare their earning potential easily.

The Rapid Rewards Premier and Priority cards offer flexible redemption options, including airfare and gift cards. Points don't expire, so you can redeem them at your convenience. However, the primary value lies in redeeming for Southwest flights, which may limit appeal to those seeking broader options.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card offers superior benefits, including a $75 annual travel credit and four upgraded boardings. Though both cards offer anniversary points, the Priority Card provides more. The Rapid Rewards Premier Card's EarlyBird Check-In appeals to travelers seeking a more convenient and smoother travel experience.

Travel Perks

• Two EarlyBird Check-In each year for priority boarding
• 25% back on inflight purchases

Status

• Unlimited tier qualifying points to earn A-List status
• Companion Pass Intro Offer Value for significant savings when traveling with a companion

Insurance and Protections

• Lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance for financial protection during travel

All other perks

• 6,000 anniversary points each year
• DoorDash membership for savings on food delivery services

Travel Perks

• Four upgraded boardings per year when available

Status

• Unlimited tier qualifying points
• 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year

Insurance and Protections

• Trip insurance

Credits and Discounts

• 75 annual travel credit
• 25% back on inflight purchases

All Other Perks

• 7,500 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary*
• Companion Pass Intro Offer Value providing big savings when traveling with a companion
• DoorDash membership offering savings on food delivery services

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, highlighting their strengths. For the Rapid Rewards Premier and Rapid Rewards Priority cards, the 'Airline score' is used to assess their performance. This score considers several factors:

Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus annual fees for frequent travelers.

• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline serves, crucial for frequent flyers.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Evaluates the return on investment from the card's introductory bonus offers.
• Foreign transaction fees: Assesses the cost of using the card abroad, with a higher score for no fees.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Measures rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction studies, reflecting the card issuer's reputation.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for card approval.

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