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Side-by-side

Bilt Palladium vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Both are travel travel cards. The Bilt Palladium comes from Bilt / Cardless at $495/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

For most people the Bilt Palladium is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,125 more in estimated value) than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's. Get the Bilt Palladium first; revisit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt PalladiumSouthwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Annual fee$495$99
Sign-up bonus50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status50,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$1,125-
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerColumn N.A.Chase
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Other)2x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $400 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • $200 Bilt Cash every year
  • Priority Pass + 2 guests
  • Flat 2x on everyday spend
  • $99 fee (post-2025 refresh)
  • 3k anniversary points
  • Free first checked bag
  • Companion Pass qualifying
Read the full review
Bilt Palladium
$495/yr · 50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99/yr · 50,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Bilt Palladium

Bilt 2.0's top tier ($495 AF), launched February 7, 2026 with Column N.A. as issuer and Cardless as servicer. A flat 2x everyday card that stacks $400 of Bilt Travel hotel credit, $200 of Bilt Cash a year, and Priority Pass with 2 guests. It does not have Obsidian's 3x category, so it wins on credits and lounge access rather than on multipliers. For Bilt loyalists who use the hotel credit and the lounges, the math works; for everyone else, Obsidian is plenty.

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 Palladium or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
The Bilt Palladium has a public bonus (50,000 Bilt Points + $300 Bilt Cash + Bilt Gold status, worth roughly $1,125), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Bilt Palladium's $495 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
At $495/yr, the Bilt Palladium is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Bilt Palladium and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Column N.A. 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 Palladium or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Palladium: $4,000 spend in 3 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.