New: Compare up to 3 cards side-by-side instantly Compare now →
Discover it Cash Back vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
[ 01 / 02 ]
·
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Discover it Cash BackDiscover | Southwest Rapid Rewards PlusChase |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $69 |
| APR | 17.49% - 26.49% | 19.49% - 27.99% |
| Signup Bonus | Cashback Match — unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in first year | 40,000 points plus Companion Pass after spending $5,000 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter, activation required), 1% on everything else | 2X on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel/car partners, and local transit & commuting, 1X on everything else |
| Credit Score | good | good |
| Pros | First-year Cashback Match doubles all rewards $0 annual fee 5% rotating categories can be very lucrative | Companion Pass with signup bonus — a friend flies free on every trip Low $69 annual fee for an airline card 25% back on in-flight purchases and 2 free checked bags (Southwest standard) |
| Cons | Must activate quarterly categories $1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories Discover not accepted as widely as Visa/Mastercard | Companion Pass from signup is limited-time offer Southwest flies domestically only (no international routes) 2X earn rate limited to Southwest and partner purchases |
| View Details → | View Details → |
[ 02 / 02 ]
·
Verdict
Our Pick: Discover it Cash Back
With a 4.4/5 rating, the Discover it Cash Back edges out the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus (4.2/5). No annual fee makes it easy to justify. Discover it Cash Back is the best starter rewards card. The first-year Cashback Match effectively gives you 10% on rotating categories and 2% on everything else. Hard to beat for year one.