Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
VS
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
The short answer: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® if you spend more on travel.

Side-by-side comparison

Southwest Rapid Rewards® PremierCiti® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
Annual fee$149$350
Welcome offer50,000 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)50,000 90,000 miles (limited-time)
Dining2x2x
Groceries2x1x
Gas1x1x
Travel1x3x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$382$365
Points typeLocked to Southwest Rapid RewardsLocked to American Airlines AAdvantage
NetworkVisaMastercard

*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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier earns about $382 a year in rewards and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® about $365, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® charges $350, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier delivers more total value, about $218 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries. 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® Premier and Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® are 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier if your spending leans toward groceries. Pick the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® if your spending leans toward travel.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® better?
On typical household spending, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $218 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®?
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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®?
As of June 2026, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier offers 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® offers 90,000 miles. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.