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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Southwest Plus

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

Headline comparison

Chase Sapphire Reserve leads on the listed facts.

Chase Sapphire Reserve 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 Reserve if…

Best if your main priority is the larger current welcome offer.

Choose Southwest Plus instead if…

Best if you want to keep annual cost lower.

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 Reserve wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
  • Top earn rate: Chase Sapphire Reserve reaches 8x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
  • Annual fee: Chase Sapphire Reserve is $795/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
  • Current public bonus values are approximately $1500 and $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 Reserve card art
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
More Info
Southwest Plus card art
Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Plus
Chase
More Info

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.

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Before personalization

Chase Sapphire Reserve

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
$795/yr
$99/yr
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
150,000 points
Spend $6,000 in 3 months
No current bonus
Top Earn Rates
  • Chase Travel 8x
  • Lyft 5x
  • Flights (Direct) 4x
  • 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
  • Annual Travel Credit $300
  • The Edit Hotel Credit $250
None
Card Perks
  • Priority Pass Select
  • Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
  • DashPass
  • +3 more
None listed
Transfer Partners
  • Flying Blue
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • KrisFlyer
  • United MileagePlus
  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • +10 more
No transfer partners

Quick summary

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

Chase Sapphire Reserve 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 Reserve tops out at 8x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1500 for Chase Sapphire Reserve and $0 for Southwest Plus. Summary generated July 9, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/chase-sapphire-reserve-vs-southwest-plus

View source data
Winner
Chase Sapphire Reserve
3/4 categories · up to 8x
Runner-up
Southwest Plus
1/4 categories · up to 2x
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve wins 3 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
  • Top earn rate: Chase Sapphire Reserve reaches 8x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
  • Annual fee: Chase Sapphire Reserve is $795/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
  • Current public bonus values are approximately $1500 and $0.

Common Questions: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Southwest Plus

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

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

Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?

Chase Sapphire Reserve currently offers 150,000 points (spend $6,000 in 3 months). Southwest Plus offers No current bonus. Chase Sapphire Reserve has the larger bonus.

Which card is better for international travel?

Chase Sapphire Reserve: 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 Reserve 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.