Why I’m canceling my Southwest credit card—and what I’m getting instead

Though I do not take into account myself significantly loyal to anyone airline, I’ve held — and beloved — my Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) for a number of years.

The $75 annual flight credit score and seven,500 anniversary factors bonus (value $101 by our August 2025 valuations) greater than made up for the annual charge, even for an off-the-cuff Southwest Airways flyer. Regardless of the airline’s tumultuous string of changes earlier this yr, I nonetheless saved the cardboard.

However Southwest’s recent credit card revamp is the final straw.

This is why I am canceling my Southwest card earlier than the brand new annual charge hits my account, and what different playing cards I am contemplating changing it with.

Not solely is the Priority card’s annual charge growing by greater than 50%, from $149 to $229, however the annual $75 flight credit score — the cardboard’s most precious perk, for my part — is disappearing, with nothing to interchange it. The credit score will now not be a part of the cardboard’s advantages after Dec. 31.

This top-tier card would not even embody a once-per-year promotional flight low cost just like the lower-annual-fee Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees).

The knowledge for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

What does the revamped Precedence card provide?

The spotlight of the cardboard’s makeover, it appears, is the flexibility to improve to Southwest’s extra-legroom seats (set to debut in 2026) inside 48 hours of departure for myself and as much as eight companions, when accessible. This might be value extra if I incessantly flew Southwest with a big household, however as a result of it is often simply me and my companion a couple of times a yr, it would not appear well worth the $229 annual charge.

Plus, as a result of Southwest’s route network is generally restricted to flights inside the U.S. and the Caribbean, further legroom would not make as a lot of a distinction as on, say, a transatlantic flight.

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One other new perk: Precedence cardholders can earn 2,500 tier qualifying factors (up from 1,500) for each $5,000 spent. However with how little I fly Southwest, I am unlikely to get near standing anyway.

Equally, the brand new incomes construction, together with 4 factors per greenback spent on eligible Southwest purchases (up from 3 factors per greenback) and a couple of factors per greenback spent at fuel stations and eating places (up from 1 level per greenback), would not transfer the needle for me.

Since I’ve different cards that earn rewards on the similar or higher charges on eating and fuel, I just about solely use my Precedence card for the occasional Southwest ticket, so I do not see this as an enchancment.

Consequently, I am planning to cancel my card earlier than the brand new annual charge pops up on my card anniversary subsequent spring.

It is clear Southwest is attempting to mannequin itself, and its bank cards, on larger airways, but it surely nonetheless has a protracted option to go. In a few years, I’ll take into account reapplying for a Southwest credit card, particularly if the airline has constructed stronger partnerships and included extra long-haul flights.

Till then, listed here are the playing cards I am contemplating to fill the opening left in my coronary heart — and my pockets — by my beloved Southwest card.

Associated: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Since my dwelling base, Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN), is a United Airways hub, a United cobranded card is on the high of my listing.

The United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) is similar to the Southwest Priority, with an annual charge of $150 ($0 for the primary yr) and a free checked bag for the cardholder and one journey companion.

I might enhance my United MileagePlus steadiness with the 60,000-mile welcome bonus (after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months my account is open) and one other 10,000 miles if I add an authorized user within the first three months.

Collectively, these miles are value roughly $910 primarily based on our August 2025 valuations.

Since I typically ebook brief resort stays, I count on to maximise the cardboard’s as much as $100 in annual credit on pay as you go resort bookings by way of United Lodges, which might assist offset the annual charge. I might additionally make use of the cardboard’s two one-time United Club lounge passes annually.

However, the remainder of the Explorer card’s “coupon-book” type credit — for ride-hailing companies (yearly opt-in required), rental automobiles, JSX and Instacart (by way of Dec. 31, 2027) — aren’t very helpful to me.

Additionally, as a result of we fly United pretty typically, my husband already holds the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees).

The Explorer gives some perks that the Quest would not, however I am unsure it is sensible to pay an annual charge for a second United card.

Associated: 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card

Delta Air Strains’ reply to the United Explorer Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, has a $150 annual charge — with a $0 introductory annual charge the primary yr (see rates and fees) — and a 50,000-mile welcome provide after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership.

Delta SkyMiles’ award charges aren’t nice, however this card would give me entry to 15% off redemptions and the Pay with Miles characteristic to assist my miles go additional.

Add that to the truth that I maintain the American Express® Gold Card and earn Amex Membership Rewards factors, which will be transferred to SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, and this card might make lots of sense.

Just like the Explorer card, the SkyMiles Gold gives a free checked bag and as much as $100 in assertion credit towards Delta Stays pay as you go resort bookings.

The incomes charges (2 miles per greenback spent at Delta, eating places worldwide and U.S. supermarkets; 1 mile per greenback spent on different purchases) are nothing particular, however the perks might make this card a helpful one to hold long-term.

My solely deterrent is the truth that Delta would not have an enormous presence at DEN; I am going to want to perform a little research to see what sort of flights I might ebook on Delta earlier than I apply.

Associated: 5 things you need to know about Delta SkyMiles

Main U.S. airways aren’t the one ones I am contemplating for my subsequent bank card. Air Canada’s providing, the Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees), can also be a contender.

One cause is that I can switch 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.

One other is that Air Canada is a companion of United, that means there needs to be no scarcity of award flights out of my dwelling airport.

This card presently gives a pretty 75,000-point welcome bonus after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months your account is open, however the ongoing perks might make it a worthwhile addition to my pockets for years to come back.

For a $95 annual charge, I might get helpful reductions on award flights and a free checked bag for myself and as much as eight companions.

Plus, I would get non permanent Aeroplan 25K standing (and, thus, Star Alliance Silver elite standing) for the yr during which I open the cardboard and the next calendar yr. If I resolve to use for the Aeroplan card, I am going to wait till early 2026 to maximise my non permanent standing.

Associated: PSA to international travelers: Here’s why you should consider Air Canada and the Chase Aeroplan Card

If you happen to’re feeling the identical method, take a look at our roundups of the best airline credit cards and the best cards to reach elite status. Then think about issues like your own home airport, your bank card switch companions and your upcoming journey plans earlier than selecting the perfect one for you.

For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click on here.