Welcome offers are a key differentiator for credit cards, especially within the same family. But Southwest Airlines consumer credit cards often present a unique scenario: they frequently have the same sign-up bonus. Currently, all three Southwest personal credit cards offer an enticing bonus: 30,000 bonus points and a Southwest Companion Pass (valid through February 28, 2026) after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. According to TPG’s February 2025 valuations, those 30,000 points are worth approximately $405.
Despite seemingly similar names and initial bonuses, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier, and Priority credit cards have distinct features. Choosing the right one depends on your Southwest flying habits and how well you can leverage each card’s unique perks. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
Southwest Credit Cards: A Side-by-Side Comparison
To understand the nuances, here’s an overview of the key benefits and differences between the three Southwest consumer credit cards:
| Benefit | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $69 | $99 | $149 |
| Anniversary Points Bonus | 3,000 Rapid Rewards points | 6,000 Rapid Rewards points | 7,500 Rapid Rewards points |
| Earning Rates | – 2x points on Southwest purchases – 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners – 2x points on local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing apps) – 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming – 1x point per dollar on everything else |
– 3x points on Southwest purchases – 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners – 2x points on local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing apps) – 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming – 1x point per dollar on everything else |
– 3x points on Southwest purchases – 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners – 2x points on local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing apps) – 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming – 1x point per dollar on everything else |
| Other Perks | – 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year – 25% back on inflight purchases – 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year |
– 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year – 25% back on inflight purchases – 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year |
– $75 annual Southwest travel credit – 25% back on inflight purchases – 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year |
| Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) | N/A | Earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent per calendar year (no cap) | Earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent per calendar year (no cap) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% | None | None |
Southwest Priority Credit Card: The Top Choice for Loyal Southwest Flyers
Alt text: A detailed view of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, highlighting its navy blue design and the Visa logo, emphasizing its premium features.
For frequent Southwest Airlines passengers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card emerges as the most compelling option. The $75 annual Southwest travel credit effectively reduces the out-of-pocket cost from $149 to $74, assuming you can utilize this credit annually.
Consider the value of the Southwest Companion Pass. With the Companion Pass, every dollar or point spent on Southwest flights effectively stretches twice as far, as you can bring a companion for just taxes and fees on paid or award tickets. For Companion Pass holders, that $75 travel credit could be argued to be worth $150 in travel value, potentially offsetting the entire annual fee of the Priority card.
Even without maximizing the Companion Pass benefit to its fullest theoretical extent, the Priority card still offers more value than the mid-tier Premier card for frequent Southwest flyers. The Priority card provides an additional 1,500 bonus points on your cardholder anniversary compared to the Premier card, translating to roughly $21 more in rewards based on TPG valuations.
The primary hurdle with the Priority card is the upfront $149 annual fee. However, for those who can consistently utilize the $75 travel credit and appreciate the enhanced perks, the Southwest Priority card delivers the most significant value in the long run.
Southwest Premier Credit Card: Balancing Cost and Enhanced Benefits
Alt text: A person holds the dark blue Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, showcasing its design and suggesting its usability for travel and everyday spending, with a softly blurred background.
If a lower annual fee is a priority while still aiming for a robust rewards card, the choice narrows down to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card (with a $99 annual fee) versus the Southwest Plus.
The $30 annual fee difference between the Premier and Plus cards unlocks significant added value. The anniversary points bonus with the Premier card is 6,000 points, double the 3,000 points offered by the Plus card. Valued at $84 by TPG, these 6,000 points alone more than compensate for the Premier card’s higher annual fee.
Furthermore, the Premier card waives foreign transaction fees, a crucial benefit if you ever plan to use your Southwest rewards for international travel, particularly to the Caribbean destinations Southwest serves. The Plus card, in contrast, charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for overseas spending.
For those interested in pursuing Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred elite status, the Premier card provides a pathway through credit card spending. You can earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent on purchases within a calendar year, with no limit to the TQPs you can accumulate this way. This feature is absent in the Plus card, making the Premier a better choice for status seekers.
Southwest Plus Credit Card: The Most Affordable Entry Point
Alt text: Studio close-up of the light blue Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, emphasizing its simple design and accessibility, representing it as an entry-level option in the Southwest card family.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card stands out as the most budget-friendly option with a $69 annual fee. While it grants access to the same welcome bonus as its pricier siblings, it comes with fewer ongoing perks.
The primary drawback of the Plus card compared to the Premier and Priority cards is the 3% foreign transaction fee. While Southwest’s route network is predominantly domestic, their competitive fares and customer service can make Caribbean getaways very appealing. If you envision using your Southwest rewards for such trips, the foreign transaction fees on the Plus card become a significant disadvantage.
While the Plus card offers a lower annual fee and some basic Southwest perks like 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year and a 25% inflight purchase rebate, it lacks the anniversary bonus value and elite status earning potential of the Premier and Priority cards. It serves as a basic entry point into the Southwest credit card ecosystem, suitable for those primarily focused on the sign-up bonus and less concerned with ongoing benefits or international travel.
Navigating Chase’s 5/24 Rule and Eligibility
Alt text: Illustration of a person examining credit card details on a tablet, visually representing the process of understanding and navigating the Chase 5/24 rule when applying for Southwest credit cards.
Applying for Southwest credit cards, like all Chase cards, is subject to Chase’s restrictive 5/24 rule. This rule means Chase will likely automatically deny your application if you have opened five or more credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months. If you are at or above this threshold, applying for a Southwest card is generally not recommended. Business credit cards from most issuers typically do not count towards the 5/24 limit, offering a potential workaround for some.
Additionally, specific eligibility terms apply to the Southwest personal credit card sign-up bonuses:
You are ineligible for the bonus if you are currently a cardholder of any Southwest Rapid Rewards consumer credit card, or if you have received a new cardmember bonus for any of these cards within the past 24 months. This restriction does not apply to holders of Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Credit Cards.
Therefore, check your recent credit card application history and current card holdings to confirm your eligibility before applying for a Southwest personal credit card.
Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Southwest Credit Card for Your Needs
Southwest Airlines credit cards remain a popular choice for travelers. For anyone who flies Southwest with any regularity, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is arguably the most valuable option, offering a suite of perks that can easily outweigh its annual fee for frequent flyers.
If the Priority card’s annual fee seems too steep, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card provides a strong middle ground with enhanced benefits and a more manageable annual fee compared to the basic Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.
Ultimately, the best Southwest credit card for you depends on your individual spending habits, Southwest loyalty, and travel preferences. Carefully consider the annual fees, perks, and earning potential of each card to make an informed decision.
