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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Southwest Plus

Compare fees, current offers, and listed rewards. Add your preferences to see which card may fit better.

Headline comparison

Chase Sapphire Preferred leads on the listed facts.

Chase Sapphire Preferred leads on 3 of 4 headline comparisons: annual fee, estimated welcome bonus, highest listed earn rate, and annual listed credits. This is a starting point; category restrictions and the benefits you actually use can change the better fit.

Choose Chase Sapphire Preferred if…

Best if you care most about stronger category earning on everyday spend.

Choose Southwest Plus instead if…

Best if this rewards ecosystem fits the cards and travel programs you already use.

Headline comparison · not personalized

This comparison has not assessed your spending or eligibility. Listed credits are potential benefits, not savings; earn-rate caps and redemption choices can change their value.

What leads on the listed facts

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
  • Top earn rate: Chase Sapphire Preferred reaches 5x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
  • Annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred is $95/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
  • Current public bonus values: Chase Sapphire Preferred ~$0; Southwest Plus ~$0.

Headline comparison · not personalized

This comparison has not assessed your spending or eligibility. Listed credits are potential benefits, not savings; earn-rate caps and redemption choices can change their value.

What happens after you click: if you use an application link, you will go directly to the issuer or affiliate partner. CardCurator may earn a referral fee, but the ranking here is based on card fit first.
Chase Sapphire Preferred card art
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase
Southwest Plus card art
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Plus
Chase

Why you can trust this answer

CardCurator compares measurable card economics first, then uses deeper rewards intelligence from program data, transfer partners, award charts, and live bonuses when a decision depends on the ecosystem behind the card rather than the card headline alone.

Light personalization

Personalize this answer without sharing sensitive data

Start with a few signals that usually decide close matchups: rough monthly spend, your top category, annual-fee tolerance, and whether you already hold either card.

This step is meant to break close ties without asking for uploads, account creation, or exact spending data.

Open Statement Analyzer
Before personalization

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Assumptions: default assumptions

No personal inputs have been applied. Add your spending focus, fee preference, or current cards to explore how the comparison changes.

Annual Fee
$95/yr
$99/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
No current bonus
No current bonus
Top Earn Rates
  • Chase Travel 5x
  • Dining 3x
  • Gas Stations 3x
  • Southwest Purchases 2x
  • Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
  • All Other Purchases 1x
Reward Type
miles
miles
Pts Value
~1.50¢/pt points · industry est.
~1.40¢/pt points · industry est.
Key Credits
  • Chase Travel Hotel Credit $100
  • Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Credit $120
  • DoorDash Monthly Promo $10
None
Card Perks
  • DashPass
  • Apple TV Benefit
  • 5x on Lyft Rides
  • +7 more
None listed
Transfer Partners
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Flying Blue
  • +10 more
No transfer partners

Quick summary

A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred leads on 3 of 4 headline comparisons: annual fee, estimated welcome bonus, highest listed earn rate, and annual listed credits. This is a starting point; category restrictions and the benefits you actually use can change the better fit. On raw upside, Chase Sapphire Preferred tops out at 5x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $0 for Chase Sapphire Preferred and $0 for Southwest Plus. Summary generated August 27, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/chase-sapphire-preferred-vs-southwest-plus

View source data
Winner
Chase Sapphire Preferred
3/4 categories · up to 5x
Runner-up
Southwest Plus
0/4 categories · up to 2x
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
  • Top earn rate: Chase Sapphire Preferred reaches 5x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
  • Annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred is $95/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
  • Current public bonus values: Chase Sapphire Preferred ~$0; Southwest Plus ~$0.

Common Questions: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Southwest Plus

Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Southwest Plus better for dining?

Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on dining; Southwest Plus has no dining bonus.

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Neither card has a current public signup bonus. Check the issuers' sites for any targeted offers.

Which card is better for international travel?

Chase Sapphire Preferred: no foreign transaction fee listed. Southwest Plus: no foreign transaction fee listed. Check the issuer's current terms before using a card abroad.

Can I hold both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Southwest Plus?

In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.

Keep Researching

If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.