Compare the Features and Benefits of Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card

The Southwest Premier credit card is Southwest’s mid-tier personal card. It balances offering some perks while still charging less than a $150 annual fee.

Cardholders get access to (starting in 2026) boarding with group 5 and access to select both Standard and Preferred seats for themselves and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation 48 hours before the flight, when available.

Points earned count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, primary cardholders earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List Preferred Status for every $5,000 spent on the card each year.

The Southwest Premier Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Add in the higher earning rate on Southwest purchases, higher anniversary bonus, and ability to earn Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List Preferred Status (which the Plus doesn’t offer), and the Premier Card easily justifies its slightly higher annual fee, although, in our opinion, the Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card has the best value of the three cards.

Lastly, this card is great for getting a good piece of the way to a Southwest Companion Pass with the bonus offer, since the signup bonus points count. Read our guide on earning a Southwest Companion Pass for up to two years via new account bonuses.

This card does not have a rewards program or offer cash back, so you won’t earn rewards for spend. Rewards credit cards tend to carry high APRs and are suitable for those that do not carry a balance.

The Diamond Preferred card is all about the Introductory Purchase and Balance Transfer offers and ideal for those that already have credit card debt.

You can use this offer to help get your debt under control and think about rewards and cash back cards later – once you are debt free and won’t need to carry a balance. Be sure to read all rates, fees, and disclosures before you apply.

It also offers Citi “My Deals” both on the Citi Mobile App and Citi Online. My Deals provides easy access to national and local coupons across categories such as dining, shopping, and entertainment. Offers depend on your geographic location.

You’ll also have access to discounted gift cards select brands and a daily gift card deal.