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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- 20.99% to 27.99% Variable Regular Purchase APR
- 20.99% to 27.99% Variable Balance Transfer APR
- 29.74% Variable Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a reliable airline rewards credit card for those who like to fly and prefer Southwest Airlines when they travel. The card earns 2X points on Southwest Airlines purchases and 1X points on all other purchases. The card has an annual fee of $69, which is mostly offset by the cardmember anniversary bonus of 3,000 miles given after each year of membership.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
- Regular Purchase APR: 20.99% to 27.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 20.99% to 27.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74% Variable
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 of 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% Variable
- Annual Fee: $69
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- You fly often and prefer to fly with Southwest
- You plan to use your card in conjunction with other Southwest programs to earn maximum points
- You have a large purchase planned that will allow you to reach the spending requirement on the card within the first 90 days to qualify for a signup bonus
- You plan to use the card primarily for purchases within the United States
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- 20.99% to 27.99% Variable Regular Purchase APR
- 20.99% to 27.99% Variable Balance Transfer APR
- 29.74% Variable Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
For frequent Southwest Airlines® flyers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is an airline card that makes it easy to reap benefits rapidly with (up to) triple points earning, travel credits, and convenient in-flight discounts.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
- Regular Purchase APR: 20.99% to 27.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 20.99% to 27.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74% Variable
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $149
- You travel often, especially with Southwest Airlines®
- You're looking to use your credit card to make purchases abroad
- You make frequent in-flight purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- 20.99% to 27.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 20.99% to 27.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.74% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
For frequent Southwest Airlines® flyers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is a business rewards card that offers all the perks of a great travel rewards card while also propelling card members’ businesses forward.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and an additional 60,000 points when you spend $15,000 in 9 months.
- 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
- Earn 2X points on rideshare.
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Member FDIC
- Regular Purchase APR: 20.99% to 27.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 20.99% to 27.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee: $99
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: $40
- You travel often, especially with Southwest Airlines®
- You own or operate a business
- You make frequent in-flight purchases
- You plan on issuing additional cards to your employees
United℠ Business Card
United℠ Business Card
- 21.49% - 28.49% Variable Regular Purchase APR
- 21.49% - 28.49% Variable Balance Transfer APR
- 29.74% Variable Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Businesses can benefit significantly from airline cards, and the United Business Card from Chase is an excellent example of the breed. The card earns miles on the types of purchases businesses often make, with additional points coming from the United MileagePlus Program.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
- Member FDIC
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.74% Variable
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% Variable
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
- You run small to medium-sized companies
- You plan to issue additional employee cards (at no extra cost)
- You frequently use your credit card to book flights with United or Star Alliance carriers
- You expect to make at least $5,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of becoming a cardholder to earn the card’s signup bonus (for new cardmembers)
TAP Miles&Go American Express®
TAP Miles&Go American Express®
- 21.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
At a Glance
The TAP Miles&Go American Express® credit card is the ideal travel companion for anyone who want premium travel perks but hate paying a steep annual fee of hundreds of dollars. The card, from Cardless, charges $79 per year but grants perks like lounge access, preferred boarding, and more.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 60,000 miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first three months
- Earn 3X miles on TAP Air Portugal purchases
- Earn 2X miles on dining, plus rideshares, taxis, and public transit
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
- Two complimentary TAP lounge passes each year
- Preferred boarding on TAP-operated flights
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.24% to 28.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee: $79
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $30
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $30
- You travel to Portugal, Europe, or other similar destinations often
- You prefer to fly with TAP Air Portugal or other Star Alliance airlines
- You want access to premium perks like airport lounges and upgrades
- You plan to spend at least $2,500 in the first three months
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Why Choose an Airline Credit Card?
When it comes to travel, savvy travelers know that every dollar counts. That’s why airline credit cards have become increasingly popular. They are an essential tool for maximizing benefits and savings. By obtaining an airline credit card, individuals can access a wide range of perks and rewards that greatly enhance their travel experience, making it more enjoyable and affordable.
How Do Airline Credit Cards Work?
Airline rewards credit cards work similarly to other co-branded types of rewards cards, like retail or hotel cards. Airline credit cards work by offering rewards and benefits specifically tailored for frequent flyers and travelers. These cards are typically co-branded with a specific airline, like Delta, British Airways, or Southwest, allowing cardholders to earn miles or points for every dollar spent, which can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.
Benefits of Airline Cards
Airline credit cards can help you unlock a world of perks and rewards to make your travel experience more enjoyable and affordable. Here are some of the benefits of this type of credit card:
Travel Rewards and Perks
The best benefit of airline credit cards is earning and redeeming miles or points for flights with the co-branded airline or its partner airlines. This benefit can lead to substantial savings on airfare and enable cardholders to travel more frequently or upgrade to premium cabins.
Additionally, airline cards often offer additional travel perks, such as complimentary or discounted upgrades, priority boarding, free checked bags, security fast passes, and access to airport lounges. These perks enhance the travel experience and provide tangible value to frequent flyers.
Travel Insurance and Protections
Many airline credit cards provide travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement. These protections offer peace of mind and financial security in the event of unforeseen travel disruptions or mishaps, further bolstering the card’s value proposition for frequent travelers.
Exclusive Benefits and Discounts
In addition to travel-related rewards and protections, airline cards often provide exclusive access to carrier-specific benefits and discounts. These may include in-flight purchase discounts, hotel booking privileges, and car rental discounts. Cardholders may also have opportunities to participate in special promotions, events, or experiences in collaboration with the co-branded airline. These exclusive benefits and discounts provide added value and unique opportunities for travel and aviation enthusiasts.
Drawbacks of Airline Cards
However, there are drawbacks to consider when using airline rewards credit cards. If you are not confident in your ability to pay off your balance in full each month, you may find yourself burdened by the higher-than-average interest rates these cards typically have. And if you don’t take advantage of all the benefits the card has to offer, then the almost certain annual fee will simply become an additional charge to burden you with. Finally, when redeeming your miles for flights, you may encounter blackout dates where award flights are not available. If you prioritize getting the best deal regardless of the airline, a general-purpose travel credit card may be a more suitable option for you.
Which Carriers Offer Airline Credit Cards?
You might be surprised how many co-branded airline rewards cards are on the market in the United States. If you can imagine a frequent flyer program, you can probably apply for a credit card for it:
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Additionally, here are the airline credit cards offered by the major airline alliances, Star Alliance, Sky Team, and oneworld:
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What to Look for In an Airline Credit Card
Here are some of the more critical features to look out for when deciding on a co-branded airline credit card:
Targeted Offers
Credit card companies and frequent flyer programs often offer exclusive, invite-only, invite-only, exclusive promotions to their customers. Card issuers offer these discounts on criteria including credit history, spending habits, and geographic location.
The metrics used to determine who gets which offer vary by the credit card issuer. Unless you have an excellent credit score, a strong credit history, and actively use revolving credit (and are a member of the frequent flyer program being targeted), you may not see a targeted offer in your mailbox.
Lounge Access
Paying for lounge access per trip can be pricey (if that lounge even accepts day passes), so the easiest way to ensure you can enjoy the finer things the airport offers is with a co-branded airline card. Airline lounges provide various amenities, including showers, private rooms, complimentary cocktails, and more. These programs include Priority Pass Select, LoungeKey, United Club, the American Express Global Lounge Collection, Capital One Lounges, and Chase Sapphire Lounges.
Anniversary Bonuses
An anniversary bonus is a perk granted to a qualifying cardholder or rewards program member on the anniversary of their program activation. The card issuer gives the cardholder this special bonus each calendar year.
Foreign Transaction Fees
If you plan on using an airline credit card abroad, pay attention to the foreign transaction fees associated with the card. Foreign transaction fees are charges imposed by card issuers for transactions at non-U.S. retailers. These fees are not limited to physical credit card payments made overseas; they also apply to online purchases from foreign companies, ATM withdrawals outside the U.S., and currency conversion fees.
Foreign transaction fees are charged by payment networks (such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, etc.) to card issuers (such as Capital One, Chase, Wells Fargo, etc.) as a processing fee. Typically, this fee amounts to between 1% and 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. To avoid unnecessary expenses while abroad, look for cards that charge no foreign transaction fees.
No Annual Fee
Many co-branded airline cards offer “free” and “premium” versions. Premium versions have an annual fee ranging between $95 and $900. On the other hand, no annual fee airline cards provide frequent flyer rewards at a lower rate than premium cards but without a yearly membership fee.
Let’s use the LATAM Airlines credit cards from Cardless as an example. Here is a quick breakdown of both card offers and how they differ based on the annual fee charged:
| LATAM Airlines Mastercard | LATAM Airlines World Elite Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee? | None | $99 |
| Earning rate | Up to 3X miles | Up to 4X miles |
| Lounge access? | N/A | 2 visits per year |
| Upgrade certificates? | N/A | 3 per year |
Consider your travel habits and spending levels when deciding between a no annual fee card and a premium version. If you don’t take advantage of these premium benefits and don’t fly often, opting for a premium airline card would result in unnecessary spending on unused features. Therefore, closely examine your travel habits and spending levels to determine if a card with an annual fee is the right choice for you.
Other Features to Look for
Airport perks and benefits are another aspect of airline credit cards. These perks come from the carrier itself—not the card issuer. These benefits allow account holders to enjoy exceptional amenities and luxury at no additional cost and may include the following:
| Free checked bags | Specific amount of miles per dollar spent | Priority boarding |
| Lounge access | In-flight discounts | Airport of in-flight Wi-Fi |
FAQs
Because airline credit cards cover a ton of ground, there are many questions that arise when considering applying. Here are some of the more commonly asked questions about airline cards, frequent flyer miles, and rewards – and helpful answers:
- Yes and no. If you travel rarely, airline cards don’t make much sense – unless it charges no annual fee. Those who frequently travel for business or pleasure can get significant value for an airline credit card. Many premium cards feature no blackout dates, Global Entry or TSA Precheck statement credits, or bonus points or miles after you spend a specific amount within the first thee months from account opening. Making frequent airline purchases or purchases at hotel and car rental companies can help earn impressive rewards, including free flights.
- The number of miles needed to earn a free flight varies depending on the value of frequent flyer miles and the date of booking. Some domestic carriers allow free flight redemptions as low as 15,000 miles, while other international carriers require 35,000, 50,000, or even 75,000 miles for one-way international flight awards.
- In most cases, authorized users will enjoy the same benefits and perks of airline or travel cards as the account holder. Authorized users do not, however, enjoy the benefits of sign up bonuses or annual spending bonuses. Instead, any spending by an authorized user will apply to the account holders only.
- There are a few airline rewards credit cards that are also secured cards. The LATAM Secured Visa and SKYPASS Secured Visa are two good examples of secured airline cards for bad credit. Both cards earn frequent flyer miles with select purchases with LATAM and Korean Air, respectively. Both cards are perfect for travelers with a bad credit score or no credit history.
- There is no guaranteed approval for airline credit cards. That said, the LATAM Secured, and SKYPASS Secured Visa is both excellent options for people who struggle to get other airline rewards cards. The Frees Spirit Points Card from First Bank & Trust is another excellent option to consider.
- While the majority of international airline cards, like the British Airways Visa Signature or Cathay Pacific Visa Signature, have no foreign transaction fees, some U.S.-based airline cards do charge a fee. Always read the terms and conditions of your credit card application before applying to ensure you avoid paying any fees you didn’t expect.
- While airline credit cards are great, they aren’t for everyone. Those who fly infrequently might find better value with a general travel rewards credit card, for example. If you fly some, but typically stay at hotels more, a hotel credit card might be a better option. Still others might find that a cash back credit card provides better savings.
Conclusion
Airline credit cards are a valuable tool for savvy travelers looking to unlock the skies. By earning miles with every purchase and taking advantage of the additional perks that come with these cards, you can make your travel experience more enjoyable and affordable. With the right airline credit card and a strategic approach, you can unlock the skies and make your travel dreams a reality.
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Travel Rewards Credit Cards
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