CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card ($149/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Purchases | 2X |
Both cards win in 2 categories each — it comes down to which categories matter most to you.
Southwest Purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 3X vs 2X
Gas Stations
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery And Restaurants
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card costs $149/yr — that's $50 more than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $50 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers free checked bags. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $50 difference is small enough that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.
Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($99 vs $149), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card ($149/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Purchases | 2X |
Both cards win in 2 categories each — it comes down to which categories matter most to you.
Southwest Purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 3X vs 2X
Gas Stations
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery And Restaurants
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card costs $149/yr — that's $50 more than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $50 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers free checked bags. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $50 difference is small enough that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.
Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($99 vs $149), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card ($149/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Purchases | 2X |
Both cards win in 2 categories each — it comes down to which categories matter most to you.
Southwest Purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 3X vs 2X
Gas Stations
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery And Restaurants
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card costs $149/yr — that's $50 more than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card ($99/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $50 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers free checked bags. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $50 difference is small enough that the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.
Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($99 vs $149), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| Gas Stations | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery And Restaurants | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
| Gas Stations | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery And Restaurants | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
| Gas Stations | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery And Restaurants | 1X | 2X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
