Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Chase Freedom Flex

Easily compare up to three credit cards side by side with our intuitive comparison tool. Assess features, offers, and more to find the best fit for your financial needs.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Chase Freedom Flex<sup>℠</sup> Card Chase Freedom Flex Card
8.5MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.5

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
9.1
Intro APR
7
Regular APR
8.4
Rewards
9.2
Benefits
8.5
Welcome Bonus
8.4
Recommended Credit Score: 9.1
Foreign Transaction Fee: 8.8
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 7.8
8.7MyCreditCardLab Score

MyCreditCardLab Score 8.7

We've meticulously evaluated this card using MyCreditCardLab's exclusive credit card rating system. Our assessment considered various cardholder needs, ultimately assigning a rating based on the need with the highest score, currently at "." Our rating scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible score.

Annual Fee
10
Intro APR
9.3
Regular APR
9.3
Rewards
8.2
Benefits
8.1
Welcome Bonus
8.8
Recommended Credit Score: 9
Foreign Transaction Fee: 7.3
Cash Advance Fee: 9
Balance Transfer Fee: 8.3
ANNUAL FEE
$69 $0
INTRO APR
No intro offer available 0% intro APR on Purchases for first 15 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for first 15 months on qualifying balance transfers
REGULAR APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable APR 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR
PROS
  • No reward caps
  • No booking fees
  • Unlimited rewards seats
  • 3,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary
  • New cardholder $200 initial bonus
  • Intro APR period
  • Ongoing rewards of 1 - 5% cash back
  • 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • $0 Annual fee
  • Member FDIC
CONS
  • Very high balance transfer fee
  • 3% Foreign transaction fee
  • Annual fee
  • No introductory APR
  • Membership fees
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Requires good - excellent credit score
  • Rotating bonus rewards categories
  • Earning limit in bonus categories
WELCOME BONUS
30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening $200 if you spend $500 in first 3 months
REWARDS
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Card Rewards program provides exceptional flexibility in credit currency. Redeem your earnings across a wide range of options, including:
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Member FDIC
Chase Freedom Flex Card Rewards stand out as a highly versatile credit currency, offering a myriad of redemption options to suit your preferences. You can utilize your rewards in a variety of ways, including:
  • You earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases. The offer excludes Target and Walmart. It applies to up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
  • Earn 5% on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
  • Earn 5% on travel. You buy it through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • Earn 3% on dining at restaurants. This includes takeout and some delivery services.
  • Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
  • Earn 1% on all other purchases
  • The card has a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening. This applies to both purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR is 19.24%-27.99%.
BENEFITS
Various protections and perks - There are enough perks to justify keeping the card year after year. The lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance can reimburse you. They give you peace of mind when traveling. So can the extended warranty and purchase protection. The anniversary point bonus and EarlyBird check-ins also make it worthwhile. Redemption flexibility - There aren’t any blackout dates, so you can use your rewards points whenever you choose. 25% back on inflight purchases - You’ll get a nice discount on any inflight purchases. This includes drinks, meals, and internet access. Extended warranty protection - Southwest Plus cardholders can add a year to the original warranty on eligible purchases made with the card. They can do this up to $10,000 per claim. Baggage delay insurance - This benefit provides reimbursement for emergency purchases of essential items. It applies when your baggage is delayed for over six hours. It covers up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days. 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year - You’ll get a pair of credits you can use for early check-ins twice per year. This lets you check in automatically before the typical 24-hour check-in. It lets you get an earlier boarding position and a better chance to pick your seat and store your bags. EarlyBird check-in typically costs between $15 and $20. Decent welcome bonus - The offer is for $200 bonus. You get it after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. This is stellar for a no-annual-fee card. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance - You get reimbursed up to $1,500 per person. You get $6,000 per trip. This covers your prepaid, nonrefundable passenger fares. This happens if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, bad weather, or other covered situations. Car rental insurance - If you charge your rental car to your card, you can receive coverage if it is damaged or stolen. The coverage is secondary and goes up to the car's cash value. World Elite Mastercard Benefits - As noted, the Freedom Flex is Chase’s first foray into the Mastercard market in five years. Adding Mastercard to the Chase lineup opens new features for Flex cardholders. Visa doesn't offer them. Two key benefits are cell phone protection and ID protection. Both are Mastercard staples. Base Rewards Rate of 1% Cash Back - Most cash back credit cards give 1% back as a base earning rate. The only way to get a higher base rate is to earn less from your chosen card.
CASH ADVANCE FEE / APR
29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater 29.99% variable, Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
BALANCE TRANSFER FEE
21.49%–28.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater 20.49% - 29.24% variable, plus either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days (5%, min $5 after)
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional) 690 - 850 (Fair - Exceptional)
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
3% 3%
BEST FOR
  • Travelers
  • Frequent Flyers
  • Hotel Stays
  • Foreign Travel
  • Rewards Points Enthusiasts
  • Cash Back Seekers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Gas and Groceries
  • Restaurant
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