Capital One Spark Cash vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority from Chase at $229/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
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.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $229 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | 60,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $560 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $2,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Chase |
| Card category | business | airline |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
If Southwest is your airline, this is the card to have. The anniversary points and $75 travel credit help offset the annual fee, and the 4x earning on Southwest is class-leading among airline cards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Spark Cash or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
- The Capital One Spark Cash has the bigger bonus, $1,000 cash bonus, worth roughly $1,000, versus 60,000 points (~$560) on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Capital One Spark Cash and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One 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 Capital One Spark Cash or the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 spend in 3 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $2,000 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.
