Capital One Venture X Rewards vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
$395
vs
$69
Base Rewards
2x
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$750
vs
$500
Editor Score
10/10
vs
7/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 5/6 | 1/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | $395✗ Highest | $69★ Lowest |
| Purchase APR | 19.99% – 29.99% | 21.49% – 28.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | ||
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | ||
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | None | 5% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Miles | Points |
| Base Rewards Rate | 2x★ Highest | 1x✗ Lowest |
| Bonus Categories | 10x Hotels & Cars (Capital One) · 5x Flights (Capital One) | 2x Southwest Airlines · 2x Rapid Rewards partners · 2x Local transit & commuting |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $750 value★ Highest | $500 value✗ Lowest |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Excellent (750+) | Good (670-749) |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Premium travelers seeking maximum value | Budget Southwest Airlines frequent flyers |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.8 / 5★ Highest | 4.3 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 10 / 10★ Highest | 7 / 10✗ Lowest |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our verdict: Capital One Venture X Rewards
The Capital One Venture X Rewards ($395/year) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus ($69/year) compete on different axes. The Capital One Venture X Rewards's strongest category is 10x on Hotels & Cars (Capital One), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus leads with 2x on Southwest Airlines. The Capital One Venture X Rewards costs $326 more per year, so you need at least $326 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $9,780 and $19,560 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our scoring model gives the edge to the Capital One Venture X Rewards — it leads on 4 of the 6 key dimensions we evaluate. That said, this ranking is algorithmic; your specific spending pattern can flip the answer.
Leads on 4 of 6 key comparison dimensions
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | Capital One Venture X Rewards | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $395/year | $69/year |
| Base Reward Rate | 2x on everything | 1x on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 10x on Hotels & Cars (Capital One) | 2x on Southwest Airlines |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months | 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months |
| Lounge Access | Yes | No |
| Credit Score Required | excellent | good |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
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Common Questions
Which is better: Capital One Venture X Rewards or Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
It depends on your spending habits. The Capital One Venture X Rewards has a $395 annual fee and earns 2x base rewards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus has a $69 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between Capital One Venture X Rewards and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards has a $395 annual fee while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus has a $69 annual fee. The Capital One Venture X Rewards costs $326 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the Capital One Venture X Rewards and Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (Capital One and Chase), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.