Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Hilton Honors

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
VS
Hilton Honors
The short answer: The Hilton Honors delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Southwest Rapid Rewards® PremierHilton Honors
Annual fee$149No annual fee
Welcome offer50,000 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)70,000 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + $100 statement credit (limited-time)
Dining2x5x
Groceries2x5x
Gas1x5x
Travel1x1x
Streaming1x3x
Everything else1x3x
Est. yearly rewards*$382$1,062
Points typeLocked to Southwest Rapid RewardsLocked to Hilton Honors
NetworkVisaAmex

*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 Hilton Honors about $1,062, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Hilton Honors has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Hilton Honors delivers more total value, about $829 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and 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 Hilton Honors currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Hilton Honors if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Hilton Honors better?
On typical household spending, the Hilton Honors comes out ahead, by roughly $829 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier 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 Hilton Honors?
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 Hilton Honors?
As of June 2026, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier offers 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points and the Hilton Honors offers 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + $100 statement credit. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.