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.
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Side-by-side
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority comes from Chase at $229/yr; the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards from USAA at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($590 more in estimated value) than the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's. Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority first; revisit the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | USAA Preferred Cash Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $229 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 points | $250 cash bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $840 | $250 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $2,000 in 3 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | USAA |
| Card category | airline | cashback |
| Best earning category (Southwest) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
$229/yr · 60,000 points
Read the full review
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
$0/yr · $250 cash bonus
Editorial take: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority has the bigger bonus, 60,000 points, worth roughly $840, versus $250 cash bonus (~$250) on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards.
- Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's $229 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- At $229/yr, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase and USAA) 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $2,000 spend in 3 months. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards: $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.