Why I’m canceling my Southwest bank card—and what I’m getting as an alternative

Though I do not contemplate myself significantly loyal to anybody airline, I’ve held — and liked — my Southwest Speedy Rewards® Precedence Credit score Card (see charges and costs) 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 payment, even for an informal Southwest Airways flyer. Regardless of the airline’s tumultuous string of adjustments earlier this 12 months, I nonetheless saved 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.

Why I am canceling my Southwest card

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 dear 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 costs).

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 flexibility 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 may be value extra if I regularly flew Southwest with a big household, however as a result of it is often simply me and my accomplice a couple of times a 12 months, it does not appear definitely worth the $229 annual payment.

Plus, as a result of Southwest’s route community is usually 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.

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 similar 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.

In consequence, 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, however it nonetheless has a protracted option to go. In a few years, I could 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 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 high of my listing.

The United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and costs) is akin to the Southwest Precedence, with an annual payment of $150 ($0 for the primary 12 months) 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 an licensed consumer within the first three months.

Collectively, these miles are value roughly $910 based mostly on our August 2025 valuations.

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

Alternatively, the remainder of the Explorer card’s “coupon-book” type credit — for ride-hailing companies (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 costs).

The Explorer offers 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 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 payment — with a $0 introductory annual payment the primary 12 months (see charges and costs) — 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 15% 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 will be transferred to SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, and this card may make a number of sense.

Much like the Explorer card, the SkyMiles Gold offers a free checked bag and as much as $100 in assertion credit towards Delta Stays pay as you go resort 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 am going to 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 you should 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 costs), 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 accomplice of United, which means there needs to be no scarcity of award flights out of my residence airport.

This card at the moment gives a sexy 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 payment, I may get worthwhile reductions on award flights and a free checked bag for myself and as much as eight companions.

Plus, I might get non permanent Aeroplan 25K standing (and, thus, Star Alliance Silver elite standing) for the 12 months through which I open the cardboard and the next calendar 12 months. If I resolve to use for the Aeroplan card, I am going to wait till early 2026 to maximise my non permanent standing.

Associated: PSA to worldwide vacationers: Here is why you need to contemplate Air Canada and the Chase Aeroplan Card

Backside line

The Speedy Rewards bank card revamp is perhaps an enchancment for Southwest loyalists, however it dissatisfied this informal Southwest flyer.

Fortunately, there are many options with related perks and modest annual charges.

In the event you’re feeling the identical method, try our roundups of the greatest airline bank cards and the greatest playing cards to achieve elite standing. Then consider issues like your house airport, your bank card switch companions and your upcoming journey plans earlier than selecting the most effective one for you.

For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, click on right here.