Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | Capital One Spark Cash Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | $2,000 cash back | |
| Advertising | 1% | 2% |
| Shipping | 1% | 2% |
| Office supplies | 1% | 2% |
| Phone & internet | 1% | 2% |
| Travel | 1% | 2% |
| Everything else | 1% | 2% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $468 | $900 |
| Points type | Locked to Southwest Rapid Rewards | Pools with Capital One → transferable |
| Network | Visa | Mastercard |
*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 business spending, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus earns about $468 a year in rewards and the Capital One Spark Cash Plus about $900, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Capital One Spark Cash Plus charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus delivers more total value, about $381 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and advertising. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Capital One Spark Cash Plus if you will use travel transfers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus 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 Capital One Spark Cash Plus if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.