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Side-by-side

Bilt Blue vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Both are travel travel cards. The Bilt Blue comes from Bilt / Cardless at $0/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus from Chase at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureBilt BlueSouthwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Annual fee$0$99
Sign-up bonus$100 Bilt Cash50,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$100-
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBilt / CardlessChase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Rent)1x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1x everywhere, no caps
  • Up to 1.25x on rent
  • Rent Day 2x on the 1st
  • $99 fee (post-2025 refresh)
  • 3k anniversary points
  • Free first checked bag
  • Companion Pass qualifying
Read the full review
Bilt Blue
$0/yr · $100 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99/yr · 50,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Bilt Blue

The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless. Flat 1x earn (no bonus categories — those live on Obsidian and Palladium). Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor + full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day still doubles everyday earn on the 1st.

Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

The entry-level Southwest card after the 2025 refresh raised the fee to $99. Worth it primarily if you're chasing the Companion Pass; the Priority card delivers more value if you fly Southwest 2+ times per year.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Bilt Blue or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
The Bilt Blue has a public bonus ($100 Bilt Cash, worth roughly $100), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Bilt Blue's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
The Bilt Blue has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's $99 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's benefits to clear $99 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Bilt Blue.
Can I have both the Bilt Blue and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bilt / Cardless and Chase) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Bilt Blue or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Blue: $0 spend in 0 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: $1,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.