How Southwest Airlines credit cards work
Southwest Airlines credit cards are issued by Chase and come in three versions: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Card. Each card earns points on purchases that you can redeem for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits. The cards also come with perks tied to Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards.
When you open a Southwest card, you receive a sign-up bonus in points—typically 40,000 to 75,000 points depending on the card and current offer. You earn additional points on every dollar you spend: 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and at restaurants, 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points never expire as long as your account stays active.
The main difference between the three cards is the annual fee and the perks included. The Premier Card has a $69 annual fee, the Plus Card has a $99 annual fee, and the Business Card has a $99 annual fee. Higher-tier cards offer more valuable benefits like anniversary bonuses and higher earning rates on certain purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest credit cards earn points on every purchase that can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards through the Rapid Rewards program.
- New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of 40,000 to 75,000 points, which typically covers one or more round-trip flights depending on the route.
- You earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest and restaurant purchases, and 1 point per dollar on everything else, with points that never expire.
- Each card comes with benefits like two free checked bags per flight, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases, though the specific perks vary by card tier.
- Annual fees range from $69 to $99, and the card pays for itself if you use the anniversary bonus points and travel benefits regularly.
Earning points and redeeming rewards
Points accumulate on every purchase you make with the card. A $100 restaurant bill earns 200 points; a $100 grocery purchase earns 100 points. You can track your balance in your Chase online account or the Southwest Rapid Rewards app. There is no minimum number of points required to redeem—you can book a flight with as few as 6,000 points on some routes, though most domestic flights cost between 8,000 and 15,000 points.
To redeem points, log into your Southwest account, search for available flights, and select "points" as your payment method at checkout. The system shows you the point cost for each flight before you confirm. Points are deducted when ready, and your reservation is confirmed. You can also use points to upgrade a ticket you already booked, purchase a gift card, or donate to charity, though flight bookings are the most common use.
The value of your points depends on the flight you book. A 10,000-point redemption on a $200 flight gives you 2 cents per point in value, while the same points on a $400 flight give you 4 cents per point. Booking during peak travel times or on popular routes typically costs more points than off-peak travel.
Checked bags, boarding, and seat upgrades
All Southwest credit cardholders receive two free checked bags on every Southwest flight they take as the cardholder or as a passenger on a ticket purchased by the cardholder. This benefit alone saves $60 per round trip compared to paying bag fees, which makes the annual fee worthwhile for frequent travelers.
The Premier Card includes A-List status in the Rapid Rewards program, which gives you priority boarding (you board in the A group instead of the B or C group) and 25% off in-flight purchases. The Plus Card includes A-List Preferred status, which adds a free upgrade to Business Select (the premium cabin) on one flight per year and priority customer service. The Business Card includes A-List Preferred status as well.
You can also use points to purchase seat upgrades after you book a flight. Early Bird Check-In, available for $15 per flight, automatically checks you in 24 hours before departure and often results in a better boarding position. These upgrades are separate from your card benefits and are optional purchases.
Annual fees and anniversary bonuses
The Premier Card costs $69 per year. The Plus Card and Business Card each cost $99 per year. On the Plus Card and Business Card, you receive an anniversary bonus of 6,000 points each year on your card anniversary, which offsets part of the annual fee. The Premier Card does not include an anniversary bonus.
To decide whether the annual fee is worth it, calculate what you would spend on checked bags alone. If you take two round trips per year, you save $120 in bag fees, which covers the annual fee on any of the three cards. Add in the value of the sign-up bonus and the anniversary bonus (on the Plus and Business cards), and the card typically pays for itself within the first year for anyone who travels at least twice annually.
If you do not travel frequently enough to use the benefits, you can close the card without penalty. There is no cancellation fee, and you keep any points you have already earned.
Comparing the three Southwest cards
| Feature | Premier Card | Plus Card | Business Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $69 | $99 | $99 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 40,000 points | 60,000 points | 75,000 points |
| Anniversary Bonus | None | 6,000 points | 6,000 points |
| Rapid Rewards Status | A-List | A-List Preferred | A-List Preferred |
| Free Checked Bags | 2 per flight | 2 per flight | 2 per flight |
| Free Upgrade Per Year | None | 1 Business Select | 1 Business Select |
The Premier Card is the entry point if you want to start earning Southwest points without a high annual fee. The Plus Card adds an anniversary bonus and a free cabin upgrade each year, making it better for people who fly Southwest regularly. The Business Card is designed for business owners and offers the highest sign-up bonus, though the benefits are similar to the Plus Card.
How to open a Southwest credit card
You can open a Southwest card through Chase's website or by calling Chase directly. Go to the Chase credit cards page, search for Southwest, and select the card you want. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Chase will tell you when ready whether you are approved, pending review, or denied. If you are approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. You can start using it as soon as it arrives—there is no separate set up step required, though you can set up it through the Chase app or website if you prefer.
Once your card is open, your sign-up bonus points post to your account after you meet the spending requirement, which is typically $500 to $1,000 in purchases within the first three months. Check your card agreement for the exact amount. The bonus points appear in your Rapid Rewards account within one to two billing cycles after you meet the requirement.
Using your card outside of flights
You earn points on all purchases, not just Southwest bookings. Restaurants earn 2 points per dollar, which makes the card useful for everyday spending. Gas stations, groceries, and other non-restaurant, non-Southwest purchases earn 1 point per dollar. This means you can accumulate points even when you are not traveling.
Some cardholders use their Southwest card as their primary card for restaurants and then redeem points for flights once or twice a year. Others use it only for Southwest purchases and travel-related expenses. There is no requirement to use the card a certain way—you earn points regardless of where you spend.
Points can also be transferred to other Rapid Rewards members, though this is rarely the best use of your points. Transferring points typically costs you value compared to redeeming them for flights yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Southwest card points on airlines other than Southwest?
No. Southwest Rapid Rewards points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, gift cards, and charitable donations. If you want to use points on other airlines, you would need a different credit card that earns transferable points or cash back.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your Rapid Rewards account and do not expire, even if you close the card. You can continue to redeem them for flights as long as your Rapid Rewards account stays active. You lose the card benefits like free checked bags, but your points are safe.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee posts to your account each year on your card anniversary. If you do not want to pay it, you can close the card before that date. There is no penalty for closing a Southwest card early.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?
The sign-up bonus alone—40,000 to 75,000 points—covers most domestic round-trip flights. If you spend $500 to $1,000 in the first three months to earn the bonus, you could have a free flight booked within a month of opening the card. After that, ongoing spending and annual bonuses add up over time.
Can I have more than one Southwest credit card?
Yes, you can hold multiple Southwest cards from Chase. Some people hold both the Premier and Plus cards to earn higher sign-up bonuses and collect multiple anniversary bonuses. However, Chase has rules about how many cards you can open in a certain time period, so check their current policy before explore for a second card.