Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®
VS
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
The short answer: The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if you spend more on groceries, gas.

Side-by-side comparison

Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Annual fee$99$99
Welcome offer100,000 miles50,000 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)
Dining3x1x
Groceries1x2x
Gas1x2x
Travel5x1x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$424$373
Points typeLocked to Frontier MilesLocked 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 Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® earns about $424 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus about $373, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® 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 Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® delivers more total value, about $50 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel 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 Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® 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 Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® if your spending leans toward dining, travel. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries, gas.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus better?
On typical household spending, the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $50 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 Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® 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 Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
As of June 2026, the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® offers 100,000 miles 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.