Why I’m canceling my Southwest bank card—and what I’m getting as a substitute

Though I do not contemplate myself notably loyal to anybody airline, I’ve held — and liked — my Southwest Fast 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 (price $101 by our August 2025 valuations) greater than made up for the annual payment, even for an off-the-cuff Southwest Airways flyer. Regardless of the airline’s tumultuous string of modifications earlier this yr, I nonetheless stored the cardboard.

However Southwest’s current bank card revamp is the final straw.

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

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

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

The knowledge for the Southwest Fast 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 provide?

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 obtainable. This could be price extra if I continuously 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 does not appear well worth the $229 annual payment.

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

Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter

Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists

By signing up, you’ll obtain newsletters and promotional content material and comply with our Phrases of Use and acknowledge the info practices in our Privateness Coverage. It’s possible you’ll unsubscribe at any time.

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 gasoline 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 similar or higher charges on eating and gasoline, 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 payment pops up on my card anniversary subsequent spring.

It is clear Southwest is attempting to mannequin itself, and its bank cards, on greater airways, nevertheless it nonetheless has a protracted solution to go. In a few years, I’ll contemplate reapplying for a Southwest bank 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 outlet left in my coronary heart — and my pockets — by my beloved Southwest card.

Associated: Are airline bank cards price it anymore?

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

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

I may enhance my United MileagePlus stability 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 licensed consumer within the first three months.

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

Since I typically e book quick lodge stays, I anticipate to maximise the cardboard’s as much as $100 in annual credit on pay as you go lodge bookings via United Lodges, which might assist offset the annual payment. I may additionally make use of the cardboard’s two one-time United Membership lounge passes annually.

Alternatively, the remainder of the Explorer card’s “coupon-book” type credit — for ride-hailing providers (yearly opt-in required), rental vehicles, JSX and Instacart (via 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 payment for a second United card.

Associated: 4 causes somebody in your loved ones wants a United bank card

Delta Air Traces’ reply to the United Explorer Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Specific Card, has a $150 annual payment — with a $0 introductory annual payment the primary yr (see charges and charges) — 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 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 whole lot 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 do a little analysis to see what sort of flights I may e book on Delta earlier than I apply.

Associated: 5 issues you should learn 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 score Card (see charges and charges), can be a contender.

One cause 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 companion of United, which means there needs to be no scarcity of award flights out of my residence airport.

This card at present gives a beautiful 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 come back.

For a $95 annual payment, I may get precious 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: Here is why you must contemplate Air Canada and the Chase Aeroplan Card

When you’re feeling the identical manner, try our roundups of the finest airline bank cards and the finest playing cards to succeed in elite standing. Then think about issues like your house 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 right here.