What the Chase Southwest Visa Card Is

The Chase Southwest Visa Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It's designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. The card earns points (called Rapid Rewards) on all spending, with bonus points on Southwest purchases and other categories depending on which version you choose.

Southwest offers several versions of this card — the standard Visa, a Business version, and a Performance Business version — each with different rewards rates and annual fees. The card itself is not free; most versions charge an annual fee, but that fee often comes with a companion pass or other benefits that offset the cost for frequent Southwest flyers.

This card is not a travel card that covers trip cancellations or provides lounge access like some premium travel cards do. It's primarily a rewards card that gets you points toward Southwest flights and other redemptions.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chase Southwest Visa earns Rapid Rewards points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on Southwest flights and certain other categories.
  • Every version of the card charges an annual fee, but most cardholders receive a companion pass or bonus points that make the fee worthwhile if you fly Southwest at least once or twice a year.
  • You can redeem Rapid Rewards points for Southwest flights, gift cards, hotel stays, and car rentals, though flights typically offer the best value.
  • Chase reviews your credit report and account history when you explore, and approval is not may provide even with good credit.

The Three Main Versions and Their Rewards Rates

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa (the standard version) earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases, plus 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. It has an annual fee and comes with a one-time bonus of points after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Visa earns the same 1 point per dollar on all purchases and 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, but the annual fee is higher. In exchange, you receive a Companion Pass after you spend a certain amount in the first year — this pass lets one person fly free with you on any Southwest flight for a full year (you pay taxes and fees only).

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Visa is for business owners. It earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The annual fee is higher than the personal cards, but it also comes with a Companion Pass after you meet the spending requirement.

Bonus points and Companion Pass offers change throughout the year. The current offer is not the same as last year's offer, so check Chase's website for what's available when you're ready to explore.

How to Earn and Redeem Rapid Rewards Points

Every dollar you spend on the card earns at least 1 point. Spending on Southwest flights, Southwest gift cards, and certain hotels earns 3 points per dollar. Some versions also earn bonus points on gas, dining, or other categories — check the specific card's terms.

You redeem points by logging into your Southwest account or calling Southwest directly. One point is worth roughly 1 cent when redeemed for a flight, though the actual value depends on the flight you book. A short flight might cost 5,000 points; a long flight might cost 15,000 points or more. You can also redeem points for hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards, though flights typically give you the best return on your points.

Points don't expire as long as your account stays active — you need at least one Rapid Rewards activity (a purchase, a flight, or even a free activity) every 24 months to keep your account open.

Annual Fees and Whether They're Worth It

The standard Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa charges an annual fee of $69. The Premier version charges $99 per year. The Performance Business version charges $99 per year as well.

These fees are not waived in the first year — you pay them when ready when your card is approved. However, most cardholders recoup the fee through the sign-up bonus alone. The sign-up bonus typically offers enough points to book at least one free flight, which is worth far more than the annual fee.

After the first year, whether the fee makes sense depends on how often you fly Southwest. If you fly Southwest at least once or twice a year, the Companion Pass (on the Premier or Business versions) usually justifies the higher fee. If you rarely fly Southwest, the standard card's $69 fee may not be worth it unless you use the card for everyday spending and redeem points regularly.

What You Need to Know Before You explore

Chase will check your credit report, so a hard inquiry will appear on your credit. This may lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. Chase also looks at your account history with them — if you've had problems with other Chase accounts or closed accounts recently, approval is less likely.

You don't need to be a Southwest frequent flyer to explore, but the card makes the most sense if you fly Southwest at least occasionally. If you never fly Southwest and don't plan to, this card's rewards structure won't benefit you.

The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a certain amount (usually $1,000 to $2,000) within the first few months. If you can't meet that spending threshold, you won't receive the bonus points, which are the main reason most people open the card.

You can hold multiple Chase Southwest cards at once — some people open both the standard and Premier versions to get two Companion Passes — but Chase has rules about how many cards you can open in a certain time period. If you've opened many cards recently, approval may be denied.

how the process works and What Happens Next

You explore directly on Chase's website or through Southwest's website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment, and Social Security number. Chase will give you a decision when ready or within a few days.

If you're approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You'll receive instructions on how to set up it and set up your online account. Once activated, you can start earning points on purchases right away.

If you're denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a low credit score. You can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask if they'll reconsider, though this doesn't always work.

Once your card arrives, you should link it to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account so that points post automatically. You can do this through your Southwest account online or by calling Southwest customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?

Yes. The annual fee posts to your account every year on the anniversary of your approval date. You can cancel the card anytime to stop paying the fee, but you'll lose access to the rewards rate and any remaining points (though you can redeem points before you cancel).

What's the difference between the standard and Premier versions?

The Premier version costs $30 more per year but includes a Companion Pass after you meet the spending requirement. If you fly Southwest with a travel companion regularly, the Companion Pass usually pays for itself in one trip. The standard version has no Companion Pass but costs less.

Can I use this card if I don't have a Southwest account yet?

Yes. When you're approved for the card, you'll create a Southwest Rapid Rewards account as part of the process. Your points will post to that account automatically once you set up your card.

What happens to my points if I cancel the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account even after you cancel the card. You can redeem them anytime. However, if your account becomes inactive (no activity for 24 months), Southwest may close it and you'll lose the points.

Is there a business version of this card?

Yes. The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Visa is designed for business owners and earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases. It has a higher annual fee and requires you to have a business tax ID, though some people with sole proprietorships can explore.