2017 Comparison Review: JetBlue MasterCard vs. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Rewards Card vs. Wyndham Credit Card
Is there anything better than jetting off to a new destination for a bit of R&R or family time? New adventures wait around every corner of this planet, and the experiences you have while traveling simply cannot be beat. That’s why you never want vacations to end.
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to have those vacations more frequently? Having your next trip planned before you get home from the one you’re on always makes heading home just a bit easier. If only you had unlimited time off work and unlimited funds to purchase expensive plane tickets or hotels.
What if we told you that there was a way to earn FREE flights and hotels? By using a travel rewards card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card, you can earn free flights and points toward hotel stays. With the rising cost of domestic and international flights and the increase in accommodation costs, these travel rewards credit cards couldn’t come at a better time.
The real trick is trying to find a travel rewards card that meets your needs and preferences. With so many options out there, it might be difficult to choose between the Southwest Airlines credit card, Chase Sapphire preferred rewards card, and others.
Do you want a card with no foreign transaction fee? Do you hate paying annual fees? How important is a large sign-up bonus?
These are all questions that you need to ask yourself when making the final decision of which travel rewards card to choose. It is important to do research, but we all know how long it takes to do a credit card review or a review of a similar card.
That is why AdvisoryHQ takes the time to do the tough work for you. We do a JetBlue credit card review, as well as a review of three other travel credit cards.
By looking into the features that each of these four credit cards offer, you can decide what credit card would make the best addition to your wallet: the Southwest credit card, JetBlue MasterCard, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, or Wyndham credit card.
Why Open a Travel Card?
There are countless reasons to open up a travel credit card like the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards card.
Travel Reward Credit Card Guide
First, there are the regular benefits of opening any credit card. A card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card will allow you to partake in the world of e-commerce. This means that you can take advantage of discounts and deals from travel sites across the Internet, which can save you hundreds on a trip.
However, credit cards like the Southwest Airlines credit card have benefits beyond regular credit cards. You can earn points toward free flights and hotel stays, which come at a higher rate than normal cash back credit cards.
When redeeming your airline or hotel points for flights and accommodations, you get a better return than you would redeeming cash back with a normal cash back rewards credit card. That is where cards like the JetBlue MasterCard stand out. You get more bang for your buck, which means more free vacations!
Aside from free flights, many travel credit cards do not have foreign transaction fees. This means that you can travel the world without worrying about using your credit card internationally. A card like the Southwest Airlines credit card definitely lets you travel with ease.
Though the main goal of getting a secured credit card like the Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card is improving your credit score, there are other benefits as well.
AdvisoryHQ’s Comparison Review List
The list below is sorted alphabetically:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
- JetBlue Card®
- Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
High-Level Comparison Table:
Credit Card Names | Annual Percentage Rate (APR) | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee | Sign-Up Bonus |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card | 16.24–23.24% | $95, waived the first year | None | 50,000 points |
| JetBlue Card® | 12.24–25.24% | None | None | 5,000 points |
| Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card | 15.49–25.24% | None | None | 15,000 points |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier | 16.24–23.24% | $99 | None | 40,000 points |
Comparison Table: Above list is sorted alphabetically
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card vs. JetBlue Card®
Travel credit cards like the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards all have their own unique features. With so many options out there, it is important to do a thorough breakdown of their features to see how they stack up against one another.
When you are doing a JetBlue credit card review and review of other travel credit cards, be sure to consider the following features:
- Fees
- APRs & introductory offers
- Rewards Earning (type and amount)
- Sign-up bonus
First and foremost, you need to know if the credit card has rewards that fit your preferences. If you want free flights, then you should look at signing up for the Wyndham credit card. If you want free hotels, the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card might not be the best option.
Aside from that, you also need to consider fees, APRs, and introductory offers, as well as the lucrative sign-up bonuses that come with some cards like the Southwest Airlines credit card. Overall, be sure to choose the travel credit card that matches with your individual preferences.
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Fees
Credit card companies charge you fees as another way to generate a profit. These fees include annual fees, balance transfer fees, late payment fees, cash advance fees, and foreign transaction fees. Even great travel cards like the Southwest credit card come with fees.
Most fees are associated with some action that you take, like drawing a cash advance, but if your card has an annual fee, you will be charged this fee every year, no matter what.
When it comes to annual fees, the JetBlue Card® or Wyndham credit card are your best bets because each has no annual fee, ever. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card has a $95 annual fee, but it is waived the first year. The Southwest Airlines credit card has a $99 annual fee, which will not be waived.
The great thing about all of these travel credit cards is that none of them have a foreign transaction fee. That means whether you choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card or Southwest credit card, you can use your card internationally and not worry about extra charges.
It is important to see how these cards stack up when it comes to fees. Make sure that the fees of the card you are considering align with how you plan to use the card.
APRs & Introductory Offers
An annual percentage rate (APR) is the rate that you will be charged on the balance you carry on your credit card. All companies charge APRs, though rates vary substantially.
If you are one of the 42.1% of Americans carrying credit card debt, it is important that you make sure to find a travel credit card with a low APR. This means that you will accrue lower interest if you carry a balance on your credit card.
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If you are looking for the lowest APR, you might find it with the JetBlue Card®, with a variable APR between 12.24% and 25.24%. Coming in second place in this race is the Wyndham credit card with a variable APR of 15.49% to 25.24%. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card and Southwest credit card come in last, each with a variable APR between 16.24 and 23.24%.
While the Southwest and Chase cards have higher variable APRs, this should not exclude them from your consideration. They are both good cards, and you need to weigh how other features stack up as well.
Some credit cards also offer introductory APR periods. This means that for a specified amount of time, you will not be charged an APR. This is a great feature to have, especially in a travel credit card because it allows you to purchase a trip up front and take the intro APR period length to pay it back.
Unfortunately, the Southwest Airlines credit card does not offer an introductory APR period. Neither does the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card, which makes sense since they are both offered through Chase Visa.
The Wyndham credit card shines here, offering a 0% APR for 6 months for all Wyndham Timeshare Purchases, as well as a 15-month 0% APR offer on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. This is a great option if you are looking to transfer a balance or want 6 months to pay off a timeshare purchase.
The JetBlue Card® will not be left out of the spotlight when it comes to intro APR periods either. The airline card offers you 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months, as long as that transfer is made within 45 days of opening your account.
If you are planning to carry a balance on your card or planning for large purchases like a trip, pay close attention to the APRs of these credit cards.
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Rewards Earning
Credit card companies offer rewards to entice you to use their credit cards. The average American has more than one credit card, so this is their way of motivating you to choose their credit card.
The thing with these credit cards is that they offer different types of rewards. You need to decide what is more important to you: free flights, free hotels, or general travel expenses.
The Southwest credit card and JetBlue Card® logically offer points that can be redeemed for free flights. The Wyndham credit card offers rewards that can be redeemed for free nights at Wyndham hotels and resorts. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card is unique in the fact that you can book travel through Chase’s travel portal, which includes Kayak, Orbitz, and Expedia.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card gives you the most flexibility, which is a great feature. You will earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel or restaurants, and 1 point for all other purchases. We love that there are no blackout dates or travel restrictions with this card.
In terms of earning flights, the Southwest Airlines credit card is a good card. You will earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, as well as qualifying hotel and rental car partners. All other purchases will earn you 1 point per dollar spent. This might not seem like much, but Southwest offers cheap flights, so points add up quickly with the Southwest Airlines credit card.
With the JetBlue Card®, you will earn 3 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. There are no blackout dates or restrictions when redeeming, which is a great feature.
Finally, the Wyndham credit card offers a variety of earning options. You will earn 3 points per $1 spent at any participating hotel, rental property, or timeshare location. 2 points per dollar will be earned on gas, utility, and grocery store purchases, though Walmart and Target are excluded from this.
First and foremost, choose a travel credit card that offers the rewards that you are looking for. If you hate flying and always drive to vacation destinations, then the Southwest Airlines credit card might be a bit of a waste.
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Sign-Up Bonus
Many cards also look to entice you to sign-up for their card in the first place. They try to lure you in with lucrative sign-up bonuses, hoping to make up money with annual fees and interest rates. These travel credit cards are no exception.
The Southwest credit card really shines when it comes to a sign-up bonus. You will earn 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in three months. You will also get 6,000 bonus points every year on your anniversary, which makes that $99 annual fee sting a bit less.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card tops this, offering 50,000 bonus points. Though, you will need to spend a massive $4,000 in the first three months. Regardless, with the Chase travel portal, that’s $625 toward travel. If you plan on some large purchases, the Chase card might be a good option.
The Wyndham credit card also offers a sign-up bonus, though it is more modest. You will get 15,000 points after your first purchase, which is enough for a free night’s stay. While the bonus seems small, any purchase will qualify you for the bonus, so you don’t need to commit to spending thousands.
Finally, the JetBlue Card® offers the smallest reward. At 5,000 points, this seems insignificant. However, if JetBlue is your preferred provider, it still might be your best option. Plus, you only need to spend $1,000 in the first 90 days to obtain the bonus points.
It is important to remember here that sign-up bonuses are just a one-time thing. The other features of your travel credit card will carry with you for the length of your account.
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Conclusion: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs. Wyndham Rewards® Visa® Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card vs. JetBlue Card®
When you are comparing different travel credit cards, be sure to pick the best one for you. Your family might rave about the Chase Sapphire preferred rewards, but if you like the rewards and features of the Southwest credit card, then that might be the better fit for you.
At least, make sure that you consider the following credit card features before making your final decision:
- Fees
- APRs & introductory offers
- Rewards Earning (type and amount)
- Sign-up bonus
Image Source: The Dough Roller
Always make sure that you do some research before opening a credit card. Your credit score can be damaged by opening and closing cards after a short amount of time, so if you choose a card like the Southwest Airlines credit card, it is best to make sure it is a good fit for you.
However, whether you choose the Southwest credit card, JetBlue Card®, or one of the others, just make sure that you pick a card that meets your needs and financial situation.
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