Though I do not take into account myself significantly loyal to anybody airline, I’ve held — and beloved — my Southwest Speedy Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card (see charges and charges) 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 informal Southwest Airways flyer. Regardless of the airline’s tumultuous string of modifications earlier this yr, I nonetheless saved the cardboard.
However Southwest’s current bank 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.
Why I am canceling my Southwest card
Not solely is the Precedence card’s annual charge rising by greater than 50%, from $149 to $229, however the annual $75 flight credit score — the cardboard’s most beneficial perk, for my part — is disappearing, with nothing to exchange it. The credit score will now not be a part of the cardboard’s advantages after Dec. 31.
This top-tier card does not even embrace a once-per-year promotional flight low cost just like the lower-annual-fee Southwest Speedy Rewards® Premier Credit score Card and Southwest Speedy Rewards® Plus Credit score Card (see charges and charges).
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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
What does the revamped Precedence card supply?
The spotlight of the cardboard’s makeover, it appears, is the power 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 ceaselessly flew Southwest with a big household, however as a result of it is normally simply me and my associate a couple of times a yr, it does not appear definitely worth the $229 annual charge.
Plus, as a result of Southwest’s route community is usually restricted to flights throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean, additional legroom does 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 pair of factors per greenback spent at fuel stations and eating places (up from 1 level per greenback), does not transfer the needle for me.
Since I’ve different playing cards that earn rewards on the identical 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, however it nonetheless has a protracted method to go. In a few years, I could take into account reapplying for a Southwest bank card, particularly if the airline has constructed stronger partnerships and integrated 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 bank cards value it anymore?
United Explorer Card
Since my residence base, Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN), is a United Airways hub, a United cobranded card is on the prime of my record.
The United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and charges) is corresponding to the Southwest Precedence, with an annual charge of $150 ($0 for the primary yr) and a free checked bag for the cardholder and one journey companion.
I may increase 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 a licensed person within the first three months.
Collectively, these miles are value roughly $910 based mostly on our August 2025 valuations.
Since I typically e-book brief lodge stays, I count on to maximise the cardboard’s as much as $100 in annual credit on pay as you go lodge bookings by way of United Resorts, which might assist offset the annual charge. I may additionally make use of the cardboard’s two one-time United Membership lounge passes annually.
Then again, the remainder of the Explorer card’s “coupon-book” type credit — for ride-hailing providers (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 charges and charges).
The Explorer gives some perks that the Quest does not, however I am unsure it is sensible to pay an annual charge for a second United card.
Associated: 4 causes somebody in your loved ones wants a United bank card
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Specific Card
Delta Air Strains’ reply to the United Explorer Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card, has a $150 annual charge — with a $0 introductory annual charge the primary yr (see charges and charges) — and a 50,000-mile welcome supply 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 fifteen% off redemptions and the Pay with Miles function to assist my miles go additional.
Add that to the truth that I maintain the American Specific® Gold Card and earn Amex Membership Rewards factors, which might be transferred to SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, and this card may make a variety 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 lodge 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 may make this card a helpful one to hold long-term.
My solely deterrent is the truth that Delta does not have an enormous presence at DEN; I will want to perform a little research to see what sort of flights I may e-book on Delta earlier than I apply.
Associated: 5 issues it’s worthwhile to learn about Delta SkyMiles
Aeroplan Credit score Card
Main U.S. airways aren’t the one ones I am contemplating for my subsequent bank card. Air Canada’s providing, the Aeroplan® Credit score Card (see charges and charges), can be a contender.
One purpose is that I can switch all my currencies to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio: American Specific Membership Rewards factors, Chase Final Rewards factors and Capital One miles.
One other is that Air Canada is a associate of United, which means there ought to be no scarcity of award flights out of my residence airport.
This card at the moment gives a gorgeous 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 may make it a worthwhile addition to my pockets for years to return.
For a $95 annual charge, I may get invaluable reductions on award flights and a free checked bag for myself and as much as eight companions.
Plus, I would get momentary 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 will wait till early 2026 to maximise my momentary standing.
Associated: PSA to worldwide vacationers: This is why you must take into account Air Canada and the Chase Aeroplan Card
Backside line
The Speedy Rewards bank card revamp is likely to be an enchancment for Southwest loyalists, however it disillusioned this informal Southwest flyer.
Fortunately, there are many alternate options with related perks and modest annual charges.
For those who’re feeling the identical manner, try our roundups of the very best airline bank cards and the very best playing cards to succeed in elite standing. Then consider issues like your private home airport, your bank card switch companions and your upcoming journey plans earlier than selecting the very best one for you.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click on right here.
