Do your research before deciding what cards will best help make your flight dreams come true. What is best for the majority of Southwest flyers might not be right for you. The best cards were chosen for welcome bonuses, earnings rates, redemption opportunities and other perks. That other airlines’ cards feature no-extra-charge checked bags as an additional “perk” may make the Southwest credit cards seem like a harder sell, but it’s a more transparent move. Southwest Airlines is somewhat unique among airlines because it still offers two free checked bags on every flight. On the downside, the card does charge a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not a good choice if you plan to travel abroad. It also offers purchase protection and extended warranty. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card gives 3,000 anniversary bonus points and offers similar travel protections including purchase protection, lost luggage insurance and delayed baggage insurance as the higher annual fee Southwest cards. Rewards: 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, local transit and commuting, including rideshare and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases It’s a reasonable option for someone who wants to jump-start a Rapid Rewards account but doesn’t need Southwest benefits long-term. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is the lowest annual fee option for those who want to earn Rapid Rewards points with a Southwest credit card. Like the Southwest Priority card, it offers an auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage coverage, baggage delay coverage, purchase protection and extended warranty. For a reasonable increase in annual fee on the Priority card, you earn a travel credit that makes up for the difference in annual fee. It also allows you to earn tier points toward the Companion Pass. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The Southwest Premier Card offers 6,000 bonus points per year on card anniversary and no foreign transaction fees. Rewards: 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is an option for occasional Southwest flyers who don’t want to pay a high annual fee or foreign transaction fees, but if you fly Southwest with any regularity you’ll likely do better with the Priority Card. Cardholders also receive four upgraded boardings per year (subject to availability) and 25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi when you pay with your card. The card also offers 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year which can go a long way toward helping offset the annual fee. If your Southwest or other travels take you outside the U.S., you will not be charged foreign transaction fees. In this way, it differs from the airline credits many other airline credit cards offer. Other Benefits and Drawbacks: The $75 Southwest annual travel credit offered by the Southwest Priority Card is an actual travel credit, meaning you can use it on airfare instead of just incidentals. Welcome Bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Rewards: 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and 1 point per dollar on other purchases That said, the card isn’t a super-amazing offering overall compared to many others available-including several Chase Ultimate Rewards®-earning cards that allow you to transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to Southwest. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card wins the battle of the Southwest Cards.
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