2021 Review: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card &#8211; Best for Southwest Frequent Flyers?

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Rewards
Balance transfers
Fees

Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
$75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi.
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.

How to Transfer a Balance on a Credit Card

2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Introductory bonus

40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year

Balance transfers

A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.

Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater

Fees

Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
Late FeeUp to $39
Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
Foreign Transaction Fee$0

For budget-conscious travelers who are Southwest Airlines loyalists, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card could be a good choice, with valuable rewards and benefits.

This card offers 2X points per dollar spent on Southwest flights and bookings through hotel and car rental partners, in addition to the 1X point you’ll earn on all other purchases. If you value those miles at 1.5 cents each, which is about average, you’d be getting a cash back equivalent of 3% at Southwest.

There’s also a solid introductory offer, 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.

Cardholders will get benefits like a $75 annual travel credit for use on future trips, four upgraded boardings per year, when available, and 7,500 bonus points each year on your anniversary of opening the card.

The Rapid Rewards Priority Card has many extra benefits, including the ability to redeem bonus points for airfare, gift cards, car rentals, cruises, and hotel stays. It might be an expensive option for some due to its $149 annual fee, but the credits and bonus points you get will offset that quite a bit. Whether or not it’s the right card for you will depend on your spending and travel habits, as well as your relationship to Southwest Airlines.

There are several co-branded Southwest credit cards, including business cards.

Card	Annual Fee	Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (Review)	$69	2X points at Southwest and partners 3,000 anniversary bonus points
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card (Review)	$99	2X points at Southwest and partners 6,000 anniversary bonus points
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (This review)	$149	2X points at Southwest and partners 7,500 anniversary bonus points
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (Review)	$99	2X points at Southwest and partners 6,000 anniversary bonus points
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card	$199	3X points at Southwest and partners 9,000 anniversary bonus points

Keep reading to learn more about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card and find out if it should be your new go-to travel rewards card.

Insider Advice: Getting the Most Out of Your Card

Compare with other travel credit cards: This card offers benefits that make sense for Southwest travelers. If you prefer to use different airlines or only fly Southwest occasionally, another travel card might make more sense for you.
Book travel through Southwest: Book your flights, hotel stays, and car rentals through Southwest and Southwest’s partners to earn 2X points per dollar spent.
Take advantage of the introductory bonus: 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
Enjoy your anniversary bonus: You’ll receive 7,500 bonus points every year on your cardmember anniversary.
Redeem your rewards: The best redemption values come from redeeming your rewards for flights, so save your points for air travel.
Take advantage of your flight credits: Each year, you’ll get a $75 airline credit to use for future Southwest flights.
Indulge in-flight: Treat yourself to drinks, snacks, or WiFi on Southwest flights and get 20% back.
Don’t pay extra when traveling: The Rapid Rewards Priority Card has no foreign transaction fees, a great perk when traveling internationally.
Offset the annual fee: You can completely offset the $149 annual fee by using the yearly $75 credit and 7,500 bonus points. Those can give you a total value of at least $150 — perhaps quite a bit more.

The Rewards

This card can earn the equivalent of about 1% to 4% cash back on purchases with the normal redemption methods, depending on how you earn and redeem the points. And you may find a better value than that if you get a great point redemption.

In addition to what the card earns, you’ll also earn points from your Southwest membership depending on the type of fare you fly. You’ll earn 6X points per flight for “Wanna Get Away” fares, 10X for “Anytime,” and 12X for “Business Select” fares. So depending on your ticket, you could increase your cash back equivalent to 12%–16%, 18%–24%, or 21%–28% respectively.

Earning

Spending Rewards
2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year

If you redeem them through Southwest Airlines or Southwest’s partners, those points can be worth as much as 1.5 cents or more. That means you could earn the equivalent of 3% cash back in the 2X categories, and 1.5% cash back for other purchases.

If you get a value of 2 cents per point you’d be earning a 4% cash back equivalent at Southwest, with 2% back everywhere else. You can rack up points quickly by booking your travel primarily through Southwest and its partners.

However, other purchases — such as gas, groceries, or anything from retail stores — will only get you 1X point. Other rewards credit cards offer more cash back for that kind of spending, so if that’s a priority you might want to look for another card to supplement this one.

Membership points don’t expire and there are no blackout dates, so you don’t have to worry about your points disappearing.

Insider tip

The points you earn with this rewards program also count towards the famous Southwest Companion Pass, which lets you designate one person to fly free with you all year long.

Redeeming

There are several different ways to redeem your points.

Book flights, hotel stays, or car rentals
For merchandise like electronics, jewelry, or other items
For gift cards from over 70 different retailers

Points are generally worth 1 to 2 cents each. So if you were to redeem 40,000 bonus points you could take home a $400 gift card, at the low end.

However, how you redeem your points can affect their value and can make them worth even more. For example, a Wanna Get Away fare from Orlando to Philadelphia is 9,998 points, or $152 when paid for normally.

That means each point is worth about 1.5 cents when redeemed. For Anytime or Business Select fares – where the cost can easily be $500 or more – the cost worked out to about 1.5 cents a point, too.

That’s a good deal for budget travelers, though how much your points are worth is dependent on your travel dates, destination, and ticket fare class.

We recommend looking for flight redemptions to get the best value for your points. If you’re not going to get at least 1.5 cents per point, it probably makes sense to wait to use your points until you find a better deal.

The Benefits

Most of the value you get from the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is from the benefits, rather than the travel rewards. Depending on which benefits you use, you can easily get several hundreds of dollars of value, offsetting the annual fee.

Some of the biggest highlights are the $75 credit and 7,500 bonus points, along with upgraded boarding positions and the ability to earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs). That’s on top of more typical travel benefits, like lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.

This card is available at either the Visa Platinum or Visa Signature level. If you’re approved for a credit limit of $5,000 or more, you’ll get the Visa Signature card. Otherwise, you’ll get the Visa Platinum card. Visa Signature cardholders get slightly better versions of some of these perks, along with access to one additional benefit — Travel and Emergency Assistance.

$75 annual southwest travel credit: Receive a $75 annual travel credit to use to book your flights, Rapid Rewards hotel stays, or car rentals each year.
7,500 anniversary points: Every year you’ll receive 7,500 bonus points.
Tier Qualifying Points: Travelers with Southwest A-list status get priority boarding, priority check-in and security lane access, access to a dedicated customer support line, free same-day standby flights, and a 25% earning bonus on flights. To get on the A-list, you need to fly 25 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) in a calendar year. You’ll earn 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 you spend, up to $100,000 per year. That means you can earn as many as 15,000 TQPs by using the card.
Four upgraded boardings: Skip the scramble and get one of the coveted A1 through A15 seats. Each anniversary year, you will be reimbursed for up to four Upgraded Boardings for A1 through A15 seats. The price of an Upgraded Boarding varies depending on your flight, but usually costs between $30 and $50.
20% back on in-flight purchases: You’ll receive 20% back on in-flight Southwest purchases like drinks, meals, entertainment, and WiFi.
No blackout dates or restrictions: There are no blackout dates or restrictions on award flights, so you don’t have to worry about coordinating your travel dates around the holidays.
Purchase Protection: When you make an eligible purchase using the card, you’ll receive protection for up to 120 days against theft and damage up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Extended Warranty Protection: Eligible manufacturers’ warranties can be extended by up to one year.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: If you rent an eligible vehicle and decline the rental company’s insurance, you can get coverage against theft and collisions.
Roadside Dispatch: If you’re stranded on the side of the road due to a flat tire or dead battery, you can get 24/7 help with roadside emergencies like these. Third-party fees will apply.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member have a checked or carry-on bag that is lost or damaged by the airline, you’re typically covered by up to $3,000.
Baggage Delay Insurance: In most cases, if your checked bag is delayed by six hours or more, you’ll be reimbursed for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing, up to $100 a day for three days.
Travel Accident Insurance: You can get up to $250,000 in accidental death or dismemberment coverage when you use your card to book travel with a common carrier.
Travel and Emergency Assistance: Visa Signature cardholders can get help with emergencies, such as legal or medical referrals.

The Terms & Fees

Purchase APR	Balance Transfer APR	Cash Advance APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable	15.99% - 22.99% Variable	24.99% Variable

Annual Fee	Foreign Transaction Fee
$149	$0

Balance Transfer Fee	Cash Advance Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater	Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater

Penalty APR	Late Fee	Returned Payment Fee
Up to 29.99%	Up to $39	Up to $39

The fees on the the Rapid Rewards Priority Card are straightforward. There is no intro APR offer, so any purchases you make will start accruing interest at the rate above unless you pay off the statement balance in full each month. There is no benefit to doing a balance transfer since there isn’t a promotional low-interest offer.

There are no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for those who travel internationally. (Looking for other cards to bring outside the country? See the best cards with no foreign transaction fees.)

The Bottom Line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card might be a smart choice for Southwest Airlines devotees. If you do most of your travel with this no-frills carrier, you’re likely to get a lot of value out of the card.

With a valuable introductory bonus, you might be able to book a full round-trip using just your bonus points, offsetting the cost of the $149 annual fee. Plus, the annual anniversary bonus of 7,500 points and the ability to upgrade your boarding position bring that cost down even further.

Between the $75 travel credit and 7,500 bonus points, the annual fee can be completely offset, making the card basically free to use. That’s an excellent deal that Southwest fliers should be aware of.

However, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is not for everyone. For business travelers or for those used to travel benefits with other cards, the Southwest Priority Card’s benefits might feel anemic. You don’t get any luxury perks, like airport lounge access, which might make other cards a better alternative for you.

How Do I Apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card?

You can apply now for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card, securely on the Chase website, by following the link below.

Once you submit, you’ll usually receive a decision from Chase within minutes. In some cases it could take longer, if they need additional information or verification of income.

What Credit Scores Do I Need to Qualify for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is designed for people with good credit.

If your FICO score is at least 670 for FICO or 700 for VantageScore, you’re thought to have good credit.

But that doesn’t mean approval is a sure-fire thing. When credit card issuers weigh your application, they take more into consideration than credit scores. So even if you’re in the recommended range, you might not be accepted. That goes for the opposite as well: If you’re in a lower range, you might still get it.

Qualifications and Requirements

Must be 18 to apply (19 in Alabama/Nebraska, and 21 in Puerto Rico)
Personal identifying information: Birth date, Social Security number, email address, and phone number
Address and contact information: Email, phone number, address
Financial information: Total annual income, source of income, monthly mortgage/rent payment

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Rewards
Balance transfers
Fees

Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
$75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi.
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.

How to Transfer a Balance on a Credit Card

2X points per dollar spent on eligible purchases from:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners
1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Introductory bonus

40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year

Balance transfers

A balance transfer is a way to move debt from one card to another with the goal of saving money on interest.

Intro Balance Transfer APRN/A for N/A
Regular Balance Transfer APR15.99% - 22.99% Variable
Balance Transfer FeeEither $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater

Fees

Penalty APRUp to 29.99%
Late FeeUp to $39
Returned Payment FeeUp to $39
Additional Cards Annual FeeN/A
Foreign Transaction Fee$0

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card give you Upgraded Boarding?

Yes, cardholders will get four Upgraded Boardings per year, typically valued from $30 to $50 each. Upgraded Boarding gets you into a nice seat from A1 through A5.

A few of the most valuable other benefits include: a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, an annual 7,500 bonus points, and 20% back for in-flight purchases.

Take a look at the complete list of the benefits you can expect to receive.

How much are my Southwest points worth?

Typically points will be worth around 1.5¢ each, but you may be able to find greater value by certain redemptions through Southwest Airlines or Southwest’s partners.

Look for bookings that will provide 2¢ per point, or more, to really get the most from your card. But these could be hard to find, and you may have to save up points for a while.

Check out an in-depth look at how this card earns points, and how to redeem your points for higher values.

Will my Southwest points expire?

No, your Southwest reward points won’t expire.

What’s the annual fee of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card?

The annual fee for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is $149.

There are several Southwest credit cards, with different fees and benefits. You can compare the different Southwest Airlines card offers here.

Curious about the other terms? We’ve outlined all of them so you can know exactly what’s happening behind the scenes.

Was this helpful?

Yes No

Alternatives to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features

Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
Receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.*Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Complimentary access into the Delta Sky Club® for you when travelling on a Delta flight.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$550 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Review) features luxury travel benefits for a high annual fee.

The true value of the Delta Skymiles Reserve is found in its benefits. You’ll get Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, and an annual companion ticket for your flights, all of which hold considerable value.

There’s a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit included too, but no other credits to help lessen the blow of the high annual fee.

If you could live with either Delta or Southwest, you’ll have to ask yourself: Will you trade an annual travel credit and lower annual fee for more rewards, airport lounge access, and an extra ticket?

Spending Rewards
3X SkyMiles per eligible dollar spent for purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines
1X SkyMile per eligible dollar spent on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months; up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first 3 months

Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access: Get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, with up to two guests at $39 each, plus complimentary access to Centurion Lounges, with up to two guests at $50 each. Includes two free Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes.
Annual Companion Certificate: A certificate for a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip flight
Status Boost: Earn 15,000 MQMs for spending $30,000, up to four times per calendar year.
First checked bag free on Delta flights: For you and up to eight traveling companions
Priority Boarding on Delta flights: Get on the plane more quickly with Zone 1 priority boarding.
Complimentary upgrades: If you don’t have Medallion status you can still get some upgrades for free.
20% in-flight discount on Delta flights: A 20% discount, in the form of a statement credit, on eligible in-flight purchases, like food, beverages, movies, and audio headsets
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $550

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features

Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^®bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
Earn 10,000 AAdvantage^® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage^® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% – 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (Review) has a strong intro bonus and some valuable benefits for travelers.

In addition to being just as rewarding as the Southwest Priority card, the Citi / AAdvantage card offers some helpful perks like a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, as well as the more valuable Admirals Club membership. The latter will get you and up to ten authorized users airport lounge access (with two guests for free).

The annual fee is pretty high however, with few credits to bring it down. But, it’s a hefty metal card that still provides pretty good rewards and useful benefits for frequent travelers.

So, if you could fly with either airline, you’ll have to decide which card you’d get more value from: the Southwest card with a lower annual fee and $75 travel credit, or the Citi AAdvantage with a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and airport lounge access, along with other perks, but at a higher annual cost.

Spending Rewards
2X AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
1X AAdvantage mile per dollar spent everywhere else

Introductory Bonus Offer
50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening

Admirals Club membership: You and up to ten authorized users have access to the Admirals Club airport lounge.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit: Get a credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) once every five years.
Elite Qualifying Miles: Earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles after spending $40,000 on purchases in a given year.
Reduced Mileage Awards: Get discounted travel for round trip (7,500 miles off) and one-way flights (3,750 miles off).
Enhanced Airport Experience: Including priority check-in, screening, and boarding privileges
25% discount on in-flight purchases on AA flights: The 25% discount will be applied to in-flight purchases of food and beverages only.
First checked bag free on AA flights: For you and up to eight traveling companions
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 15.99% - 24.99% (Variable)
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $450

Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features

Our best offer ever! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) is good for people who don’t stick to one airline in particular.

Where this card shines is the rewards and flexible redemption options. There’s a bonus if you redeem your points for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards, upping the value to 1.25 cents per point.

You can also transfer your points to Chase’s hotel or airline partners. From there, you may even be able to find a value of 2¢ or more, increasing your cash back equivalent to upwards of 4%.

You’ll get a plethora of travel protections, but there aren’t any annual travel credits to help offset the annual fee, so the Southwest card can end up costing you less per year despite its higher annual fee.

Spending Rewards
5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides
2X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on: Travel Dining
1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus Offer
100,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening

Chase features one of the most rewarding rewards programs of any card issuer. While you’ll get slightly increased value from redeeming your points for travel expenses, you can find a far greater value by transferring your points to Chase’s travel partners.

By doing so, you could find a point value of 2–4 cents, or even more, increasing your cash back equivalent. One of the travel partners is Southwest, so even if you choose this card over the Southwest Rapid Rewards card, you can still redeem your points for Southwest airfare.

Credit Journey: Monitor your VantageScore 3.0 credit score based on your TransUnion credit report, and get advice to improve your credit scores.
1:1 point transfer: 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value – that means 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points equal 1,000 partner miles/points. The travel and hotel partners include Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, United, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG Rewards Club.
DoorDash membership: You’ll get a free DoorDash membership for at least a year, known as a DashPass. That’ll get you free delivery and reduced service fees for orders over $12.
Referral bonus points: You can invite friends to apply for the Sapphire Preferred, and for every friend who’s approved you’ll get 20,000 bonus points. You can earn up to 100,000 bonus points per year in this way.
Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection is provided by Chase, and includes benefits at over 1,000 locations around the world.
Shop through Chase: Cardholders can get more points at select retailers with the Shop through Chase marketplace.
Chase Offers: Receive exclusive offers from a variety of different merchants through Chase.
Visa Signature Concierge: You can call 1-800-953-7392 to speak with your Visa Signature Concierge, 24/7.
Travel protections: Trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel and emergency assistance, travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and roadside dispatch
Shopping protections: Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 15.99% - 22.99% Variable
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our rating:

Learn More

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
$179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) began the high-end travel card trend.

While the annual fee is much higher than that of the Southwest Rapid Rewards card, it comes with several credits that effectively bring it down to a more manageable level.

These include $200 in Uber credits, a $100 Saks credit, a $100 hotel credit that can be used over and over again, and much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply.)

It’ll be a far more flexible and rewarding option than the Southwest card, earning more than double on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel.

Spending Rewards
5X Membership Rewards points per dollar (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1X) on: Flights booked directly through airlines or through American Express Travel Prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
2X Membership Rewards points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked through American Express Travel
1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
100,000 bonus points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months; 10X points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during the first 6 months

Depending on the spending category and how you redeem, you can earn a cash back equivalent of 10% or even more. That assumes you’re spending in the 5X category and redeeming for 2 cents per point, using point transfers to Amex’s travel partners.

When you transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to hotel or travel partners, you can usually find more value than what you’d get through normal redemption methods. The greater the value you find, the larger cash back equivalent you’ll receive. To maximize the value of your points, try waiting until you’ll get a rate better than 1.5 cents each.

Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
$200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
$300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
$240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
$100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $695

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)

American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Rewards
Balance transfers
Fees

Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
$75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi.
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.