Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
VS
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
The short answer: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority if you spend more on dining.

Side-by-side comparison

Southwest Rapid Rewards® PlusSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
Annual fee$99$229
Welcome offer50,000 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)50,000 90,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)
Dining1x2x
Groceries2x1x
Gas2x2x
Travel1x1x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$373$343
Points typeLocked to Southwest Rapid RewardsLocked to Southwest Rapid Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa

*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® Plus earns about $373 a year in rewards and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority about $343, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority charges $229, but carries about $75 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus delivers more total value, about $122 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® Plus and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority 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® Plus if your spending leans toward groceries. Pick the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority if your spending leans toward dining.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority better?
On typical household spending, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $122 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority 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® Plus and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
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® Plus or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?
As of June 2026, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus offers 80,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority offers 90,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.