Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is better than the Southwest credit cards because it offers better rewards on everyday purchases and allows you to redeem for any travel expense, including Southwest flights. Capital One Venture also has a higher WalletHub Rating than any of Southwest’s personal credit cards.
If you’re a frequent flyer on Southwest Airlines, applying for a Southwest credit card can still make sense, as you’ll get bonus rewards on Southwest purchases, big initial bonuses, and perks such as free first checked bags and preferred seating. The best Southwest credit card overall is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, but there are options for different types of travelers, as you can see below.
Southwest Credit Cards vs. Capital One Venture
| Card | ||||
| WalletHub Rating | 4.47 / 5 | 3.98 / 5 | 3.51 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Initial Bonus | 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months | 90,000 points for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months | 80,000 points for spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months | 85,000 points for spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months |
| Ongoing Rewards | 2 - 5 miles per $1 | 1 - 4 points per $1 | 1 - 2 points per $1 | 1 - 3 points per $1 |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $229 | $99 | $149 |
| APR | 19.49% - 28.49% (V) | 19.24% - 27.74% (V) | 19.24% - 27.74% (V) | 19.24% - 27.74% (V) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Credit Requirement | Good credit | Good credit | Good credit | Good credit |
Below, you can learn more about how these cards compare in the most important categories. We’ll also highlight the best Southwest card for each category.
Southwest Credit Card Rewards vs. Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One Venture offers 2 - 5 miles per $1 spent, giving you a high rewards-earning floor and an attractive ceiling. You can also use your rewards to pay for any travel purchase that you charge to the card. This arrangement is better for most people.
The best Southwest credit card for ongoing rewards is the Southwest Priority Card, which offers 1 - 4 points per $1 spent on purchases, with the maximum rewards rate going to flights and other Southwest-related expenses. Frequent flyers who are loyal to Southwest could get slightly more out of this card compared to Venture.
Southwest Credit Card Initial Bonus vs. Capital One Venture Initial Bonus
Capital One Venture has an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. The bonus is equal to $750 in travel.
The Southwest credit card with the best initial bonus is the Southwest Priority Card, which offers 90,000 points for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Those bonus points are worth around $726 in Southwest airfare, according to WalletHub’s calculations.
Southwest Credit Card Fees vs. Capital One Venture Fees
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card comes with a $99 annual fee, which is on par with Capital One Venture’s $95 yearly price tag. All the other Southwest cards are more expensive to own.
None of these cards charge foreign transaction fees.
Southwest Credit Card APRs vs. Capital One Venture APRs
Southwest Rapid Rewards cards and Capital One Venture are not designed for interest-free financing or paying down high-interest debt, as none of these cards have 0% intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers. All of these cards have high regular APRs, so it’s important to pay off your balance in full every month to avoid costly interest charges.
Other Capital One Venture Cards Worth Considering
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card isn’t the only Capital One Venture card on the market right now. You may also want to consider:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Luxury Perks
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – No Annual Fee
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a good choice for frequent travelers who want high-end perks along with the versatility of choosing their own travel providers. The Southwest Priority Card is Southwest’s premium rewards card. It’s a better option only for frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want rewards and perks geared toward Southwest Airlines as well as a lower annual fee.
People who don’t spend enough to justify paying an annual fee should consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. It has a $0 annual fee, and you can use the rewards you earn to cover the cost of any travel purchase. Southwest doesn’t have a credit card with no annual fee.
For even more options, check out WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best airline credit cards and the best travel rewards cards.
Popular Credit Cards from Our Partners
People also ask
How much is 50,000 Southwest points worth?
50,000 Southwest points are worth around $605 when redeemed for airfare. While Southwest Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when redeemed for flights, they’re also redeemable for gift cards, hotel stays, merchandise, and more.
Value of 50,000 Southwest Points vs. The Competition
| Rewards Program | Value of 50,000 Points/Miles | Average Value per Point/Mile |
| $605 | 1.21 cents |
What is the latest Southwest credit card signup bonus?
The latest Southwest credit card signup bonus is 90,000 points for spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, and it could be enough for at least a free flight or two. The bonus should post to your account within 8 weeks after you meet the spending requirement.
Just keep in mind that this offer is only available for new cardholders. You’re not eligible for this bonus if you are a current cardholder of any of the Southwest credit cards...
read full answer by Maria Adams, Credit Cards ModeratorWhat are the disadvantages of Southwest Plus Card?
The biggest disadvantage of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is that it is available to people with at least good credit, which means the average person may struggle to qualify. There are a few other disadvantages of the Southwest Plus Card to be aware of, too.
Southwest Plus Card Disadvantages
- Requires high credit scores: The Southwest Plus Card requires at least good credit for approval.
- No 0% APR on purchases: The Southwest Plus Card does not currently offer a 0% APR promotion...
Did we answer your question?
Important Disclosures
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertisers compensate WalletHub when you click on a link, or your application is approved, or your account is opened. Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.