American Express® Platinum vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| American Express® Platinum | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $99 |
| Welcome offer | 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points | |
| Dining | 1x | 1x |
| Groceries | 1x | 2x |
| Gas | 1x | 2x |
| Travel | 5x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $364 | $373 |
| Points type | Transfers to airlines & hotels | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards |
| Network | Amex | Visa |
*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 American Express® Platinum earns about $364 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Platinum charges $895, but carries about $1,229 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus delivers more total value, about $191 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and gas. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the American Express® Platinum earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the American Express® Platinum if you will use travel transfers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the American Express® Platinum currently has the larger welcome offer. 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 American Express® Platinum if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries, gas.