Aeroplan® Credit Card vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

Aeroplan® Credit Card
VS
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
The short answer: The Aeroplan® Credit Card delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if you spend more on gas.

Side-by-side comparison

Aeroplan® Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Annual fee$95$99
Welcome offer75,000 points50,000 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)
Dining3x1x
Groceries3x2x
Gas1x2x
Travel3x1x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$508$373
Points typeLocked to Air Canada AeroplanLocked to Southwest Rapid Rewards
NetworkMastercardVisa

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the Aeroplan® Credit Card earns about $508 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Aeroplan® Credit Card charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Aeroplan® Credit Card delivers more total value, about $138 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and dining. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. Note that Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus is running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Aeroplan® Credit Card if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, travel. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward gas.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Aeroplan® Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus better?
On typical household spending, the Aeroplan® Credit Card comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $138 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Aeroplan® Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Aeroplan® Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
As of June 2026, the Aeroplan® Credit Card offers 75,000 points and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus offers 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.