Why I’m canceling my Southwest credit card — and what I’m getting instead
Although I don't consider myself particularly loyal to any one airline, I've held — and loved — my Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) for several years.
The $75 annual flight credit and 7,500 anniversary points bonus (worth $101 by our August 2025 valuations) more than made up for the annual fee, even for a casual Southwest Airlines flyer. Despite the airline's tumultuous string of changes earlier this year, I still kept the card.
But Southwest's recent credit card revamp is the last straw.
Here's why I'm canceling my Southwest card before the new annual fee hits my account, and what other cards I'm considering replacing it with.
Why I'm canceling my Southwest card
Not only is the Priority card's annual fee increasing by more than 50%, from $149 to $229, but the annual $75 flight credit — the card's most valuable perk, in my view — is disappearing, with nothing to replace it. The credit will no longer be part of the card's benefits after Dec. 31.
This top-tier card doesn't even include a once-per-year promotional flight discount like the lower-annual-fee Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees).
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
What does the revamped Priority card offer?
The highlight of the card's makeover, it seems, is the ability to upgrade to Southwest's extra-legroom seats (set to debut in 2026) within 48 hours of departure for myself and up to eight companions, when available. This would be worth more if I frequently flew Southwest with a large family, but because it's usually just me and my partner once or twice a year, it doesn't seem worth the $229 annual fee.
Plus, because Southwest's route network is mostly limited to flights within the U.S. and the Caribbean, extra legroom doesn't make as much of a difference as on, say, a transatlantic flight.
Another new perk: Priority cardholders can earn 2,500 tier qualifying points (up from 1,500) for every $5,000 spent. But with how little I fly Southwest, I'm unlikely to get close to status anyway.
Similarly, the new earning structure, including 4 points per dollar spent on eligible Southwest purchases (up from 3 points per dollar) and 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants (up from 1 point per dollar), doesn't move the needle for me.
Since I have other cards that earn rewards at the same or better rates on dining and gas, I pretty much only use my Priority card for the occasional Southwest ticket, so I don't see this as an improvement.
As a result, I'm planning to cancel my card before the new annual fee pops up on my card anniversary next spring.
It's clear Southwest is trying to model itself, and its credit cards, on bigger airlines, but it still has a long way to go. In a couple of years, I may consider reapplying for a Southwest credit card, especially if the airline has built stronger partnerships and incorporated more long-haul flights.
Until then, here are the cards I'm considering to fill the hole left in my heart — and my wallet — by my beloved Southwest card.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
United Explorer Card
Since my home base, Denver International Airport (DEN), is a United Airlines hub, a United cobranded card is at the top of my list.
The United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) is comparable to the Southwest Priority, with an annual fee of $150 ($0 for the first year) and a free checked bag for the cardholder and one travel companion.
I could boost my United MileagePlus balance by earning the 70,000-mile welcome bonus (after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months my account is open) and another 10,000 miles if I add an authorized user in the first three months.
Together, those miles are worth $1,040 based on our January 2026 valuations.
Since I often book short hotel stays, I expect to maximize the card's up to $100 in annual credits on prepaid hotel bookings through United Hotels, which would help offset the annual fee. I could also make use of the card's two one-time United Club lounge passes each year.
On the other hand, the rest of the Explorer card's "coupon-book" style credits — for ride-hailing services (yearly opt-in required), rental cars, JSX and Instacart (through Dec. 31, 2027) — aren't very useful to me.
Also, because we fly United fairly often, my husband already holds the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees).
The Explorer provides some perks that the Quest doesn't, but I'm not sure it makes sense to pay an annual fee for a second United card.
Related: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Delta Air Lines' answer to the United Explorer Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, has a $150 annual fee — with a $0 introductory annual fee the first year (see rates and fees) — and a welcome offer of up to 90,000 bonus miles: earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $5,000) in the first six months of card membership.
Delta SkyMiles' award rates aren't great, but this card would give me access to 15% off redemptions and the Pay with Miles feature to help my miles go further.
Add that to the fact that I hold the American Express® Gold Card and earn Amex Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, and this card could make a lot of sense.
Similar to the Explorer card, the SkyMiles Gold provides a free checked bag and up to $100 in statement credits toward Delta Stays prepaid hotel bookings.
The earning rates (2 miles per dollar spent at Delta, restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets; 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases) are nothing special, but the perks could make this card a useful one to carry long-term.
My only deterrent is the fact that Delta doesn't have a huge presence at DEN; I'll need to do some research to see what kind of flights I could book on Delta before I apply.
Related: 5 things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles
Aeroplan Credit Card
Major U.S. airlines aren't the only ones I'm considering for my next credit card. Air Canada's offering, the Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees), is also a contender.
One reason is that I can transfer all my currencies to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio: American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Capital One miles.
Another is that Air Canada is a partner of United, meaning there should be no shortage of award flights out of my home airport.
This card currently offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open, but the ongoing perks could make it a worthwhile addition to my wallet for years to come.
For a $95 annual fee, I could get valuable discounts on award flights and a free checked bag for myself and up to eight companions.
Plus, I'd get temporary Aeroplan 25K status (and, thus, Star Alliance Silver elite status) for the year in which I open the card and the following calendar year. If I decide to apply for the Aeroplan card, I'll wait until early 2026 to maximize my temporary status.
Bottom line
The Rapid Rewards credit card revamp might be an improvement for Southwest loyalists, but it disappointed this casual Southwest flyer.
Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives with similar perks and modest annual fees.
If you're feeling the same way, check out our roundups of the best airline credit cards and the best cards to reach elite status. Then factor in things like your home airport, your credit card transfer partners and your upcoming travel plans before choosing the best one for you.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click here.
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees