American Airlines vs. Southwest: Which One Is Best?
American Airlines shines in most categories, including rewards program and route network.
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American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are two Texas-based air carriers. Both are part of the "Big Four" of U.S. airlines, but American Airlines is generally considered a full-service airline whereas Southwest is considered a low-cost carrier.
We’ll break down where each airline flies, the fees they charge, their loyalty programs and what to expect when flying with them.
Where they’re based and where they fly
Winner for route options: American Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest is based in Dallas and primarily flies within the United States, though its route network has grown over the last few years to include more international destinations.
As of July 2025, Southwest operates flights to and from more than 117 airports in 11 countries. Though the airline doesn’t use a traditional hub model, it does have a significant presence at several U.S. airports, which are listed below.
» Learn more: Where does Southwest fly?
American Airlines
American is another Texan airline, based in Fort Worth. It’s the biggest of the U.S. airlines, flying to more locations than any other airline in the United States. It currently flies to 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. Below are the airline’s primary hub cities.
» Learn more: The complete guide to American Airlines partners
Airline loyalty programs
Winner for value of program and rewards: American Airlines
American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program has the best rewards rate of the Big Four airlines, with a 6.7% return on your spending. Members earn miles based on the price of their ticket, but redemptions with American are still based on semi-fixed pricing. This means it’s possible to extract much more than their 1.6 cents of value if you book your tickets correctly.
The AAdvantage program also offers points redemptions on Oneworld alliance airlines and other airline partners, which gives AAdvantage members more options when it comes to booking international flights with American miles.
» Learn more: The guide to American Airlines elite status
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program allows customers to earn and redeem points when they travel with the airline. Depending on your level of elite status and the fare class of the ticket you buy, you’ll earn a specific number of Rapid Rewards points on each flight.
Southwest switched to dynamic pricing in May 2025. After combing the data of 88 round-trip Southwest flights, NerdWallet values Rapid Rewards points at 1.3 cents each, slightly less than the value of American miles.
The most frequent flyers on Southwest can earn a Companion Pass, which entitles them to bring a guest along for free when they fly. It’s a highly valuable perk and unique in the travel world, though it requires a hefty number of points to acquire.
Earning elite status on Southwest also doesn't grant you the same high-value perks that you would earn on American. Southwest can grant you benefits such as priority boarding and free drink coupons, but overall, it’s a fairly similar experience whether you’re flying as a top-tier member or with no status at all.
» Learn more: Southwest Airlines makes elite status easier to earn
Extra fees
Winner for lowest fees: Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest introduced baggage fees in May 2025, ending their longtime "bags fly free" policy. It does have a slight edge over American Airlines in fees for the time being because there are no seat selection fees on Southwest. However, this will be changing in the next year once Southwest starts outfitting its planes with new premium seats.
American Airlines
American operates with a more typical airline fee structure than Southwest. Those without elite status or co-branded credit cards are subject to additional fees if they want to check a bag or choose preferred seating.
» Learn more: Which airlines have the best (and worst) fees?
In-flight experience
Winner of the sky: American Airlines
American Airlines
American operates several different cabins of service depending on where you’re flying, including economy, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy, first and business. On some long-haul flights, you may even have the option to choose a lie-flat bed.
The airline offers complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic drinks on shorter flights, while a free meal and alcoholic beverages are offered on longer trips. Those in premium cabins also can expect perks such as pajamas and amenity kits.
Depending on your aircraft, American requires you to use your own device to watch streaming movies or TV shows. The cost of Wi-Fi varies depending on your flight, but starts at $10, and there’s no free texting option on board. American plans to introduce free Wi-Fi on its planes in January 2026.
» Learn more: The best airline for in-flight entertainment
Southwest Airlines
Southwest currently operates a single-class cabin on all its flights, which essentially means everyone who boards will be sitting in economy. Although complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are available, alcohol must be purchased and there aren’t any substantial food options for sale.
If you want to watch a movie or TV show while you’re traveling, you can do so for free, but you’ll need to bring your own device and headphones. Wi-Fi is available for $8, but messaging through WhatsApp or iMessage is free.
» Learn more: The guide to Southwest priority boarding
Credit card offerings
Winner for most credit card options: Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest offers three personal co-branded cards alongside two business options. These cards can grant perks such as early check-in, upgraded boarding and an annual travel credit. On the whole, however, they’re lower to mid-tier cards, with the most expensive personal card costing $149 per year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $69. | $99. | $149. |
Welcome offer | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
Earnings on Southwest purchases | 2x points per $1. | 3x points per $1. | 3x points per $1. |
Other earnings | 2x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone and select streaming. 1x point per $1 everywhere else. | 2x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone and select streaming. 1x point per $1 everywhere else. | 2x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone and select streaming. 1x point per $1 everywhere else. |
25% back on in-flight purchases | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
Upgraded boardings | - | - | 4 per year. |
EarlyBird Check-In | 2 per year. | 2 per year. | - |
10,000-point Companion Pass boost | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
$75 travel credit | - | - | Yes. |
Tier-qualifying points | - | 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent. | 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent. |
Other Southwest benefits | 3,000 points every cardmember anniversary. | 6,500 points every cardmember anniversary. | 7,000 points every cardmember anniversary. |
American Airlines
American has four credit cards offered by Citi or Barclays. The benefits of these cards range from free priority boarding and complimentary lounge access to free checked luggage.
Here’s a look at three of the best American credit cards:
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® | Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $0. | $99, waived for the first 12 months. | $595. |
Welcome offer | Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | For a limited time, earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. | Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. |
Earnings on American Airlines purchases | 2x miles per $1. | 2x miles per $1. | 4x miles per $1. 5x after spending $150,000 in a calendar year. |
Other earnings | 2x miles per $1 spent at grocery stores. 1x mile per $1 everywhere else. | 2x miles per $1 spent at restaurants and gas stations. 1x mile per $1 everywhere else. | 10x miles per $1 spent on car rentals and hotels booked through American Airlines. 1 mile per $1 everywhere else. |
25% back on in-flight purchases | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
Free checked bag | - | Yes. | Yes. |
Priority boarding | - | Group 5. | Group 4. |
Priority check-in | - | - | Yes. |
Earn elite status | - | - | Earn 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points during the status qualification year. Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points during the same qualification year. |
Additional benefits | - | $125 flight discount after spending $20,000 during your card membership year. | Admirals Club membership, Lyft credit, Avis or Budget credit, GrubHub credit, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit. |
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
American Airlines vs. Southwest: The results
American comes out ahead in most of these categories because of its more robust loyalty program and flight network.
If you’re a no-frills traveler who tends to fly mostly within the United States, Southwest might be a better option for you. If you’re someone who values the additional perks and want to use miles to travel abroad, American may provide a better experience.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2025:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card