IHG One Rewards Premier vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

IHG One Rewards Premier
VS
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
The short answer: The IHG One Rewards Premier delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

IHG One Rewards PremierSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Annual fee$99$99
Welcome offerUp to 185,000 IHG One Rewards Points50,000 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)
Dining5x1x
Groceries3x2x
Gas5x2x
Travel5x1x
Streaming3x1x
Everything else3x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$1,014$373
Points typeLocked to IHG One RewardsLocked 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 IHG One Rewards Premier earns about $1,014 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The IHG One Rewards Premier charges $99, 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 IHG One Rewards Premier delivers more total value, about $641 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else 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 IHG One Rewards Premier 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 IHG One Rewards Premier if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the IHG One Rewards Premier or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus better?
On typical household spending, the IHG One Rewards Premier comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $641 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 IHG One Rewards Premier 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 IHG One Rewards Premier or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
As of June 2026, the IHG One Rewards Premier offers up to 185,000 ihg one rewards 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.