Overhauled Southwest Priority Credit Card Tops My Preferred List Due to These Reasons:
In the world of travel credit cards, four stand out as popular choices: the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card, American Express® Gold Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Each offers unique benefits, making them suitable for different types of travellers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
With an annual fee of £229, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card caters to frequent Southwest flyers. It offers 4X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases, 2X points at gas stations and restaurants, and 1X point on all other purchases. The card is particularly attractive for those aiming to fast-track Southwest's elite status and Companion Pass, as it provides 2,500 tier-qualifying points per £5,000 spent, with no limit.
The card also offers perks such as Southwest A-List and Companion Pass benefits, upgraded boarding, and an annual points bonus. However, its points are mainly redeemable for Southwest flights, making it less flexible than other options.
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card, with an approximate annual fee of £250, excels for foodies and those who spend heavily on dining and groceries. It offers 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, 4X points per dollar spent at US supermarkets (up to £25,000 per year), 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
While it offers strong annual credits and flexible Membership Rewards points, it lacks airline-specific elite benefits, making it less suitable for frequent flyers.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, with an annual fee of £95, offers a simple rewards system: 2X miles on every purchase. It also provides various travel benefits such as Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, and extended warranty. However, its luxury travel benefits are less robust compared to Chase and Amex.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, also with an annual fee of £95, offers strong travel rewards categories. It provides 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on travel and select streaming services, and 1X point per dollar on all other purchases. It also offers various travel benefits such as trip cancellation or interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection.
Its points are highly flexible, with diverse transfer partners including Southwest, travel, and dining. However, it offers fewer luxury travel perks than higher tier cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Making a Choice
Choosing among these cards depends on whether your priority is Southwest loyalty perks or flexible, broad travel rewards with better protections.
If you fly Southwest regularly and want to fast-track elite status and companion perks, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is the best choice, despite its higher fee and less flexible points.
For flexible travel rewards and broader redemption options, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture are superior, with Chase generally favoured for its transfer partners and travel protections.
The American Express Gold Card excels for food and dining spenders but lacks airline-specific elite benefits.
In the end, the choice depends on your travel habits and priorities.
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card, with its annual fee of £229, targets frequent Southwest flyers with its rewards structure, providing 4X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases, and benefits that help fast-track Southwest's elite status and Companion Pass.
- The American Express® Gold Card, with an approximate annual fee of £250, is ideally suited for foodies and heavy spenders on dining and groceries due to its 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases.
- The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, with an annual fee of £95, offers straightforward rewards with 2X miles on all purchases, while providing travel benefits such as Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit and no foreign transaction fees.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, also with an annual fee of £95, delivers strong travel rewards across various categories like dining, travel, and select streaming services, with the added benefits of transferable points, diverse travel protections, and multiple transfer partners.
