What the Southwest Airlines Chase Visa card is and who it's for
The Southwest Airlines Chase Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It's designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or want to earn rewards toward Southwest travel. The card earns points on every purchase — called Rapid Rewards points — that you can redeem for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other travel expenses.
This card makes sense if you already book Southwest flights a few times a year, or if you're willing to shift your spending to a card that rewards airline purchases. It's less useful if you rarely fly or prefer flexibility to book any airline.
Chase offers several versions of this card: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards card. Each has different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and earning rates. The specific features and costs depend on which version you choose.
Key Takeaways
- The Southwest Airlines Chase Visa earns Rapid Rewards points on all purchases, which you redeem for Southwest flights and upgrades.
- Each version of the card charges a different annual fee, ranging from no annual fee to over $100, and offers different sign-up bonuses.
- You earn bonus points when you first open the card if you spend a certain amount within the first few months — the exact amount varies by card version.
- Rapid Rewards points never expire as long as your account stays open and active, even if you don't use the card for a while.
- You can combine points from multiple Southwest credit cards and your airline account to reach flight redemption thresholds faster.
How Rapid Rewards points work and what they're worth
Every time you use the Southwest Airlines Chase Visa, you earn Rapid Rewards points. The earning rate depends on which version of the card you have. Most versions earn 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases, with higher earning rates on Southwest purchases and dining at restaurants.
You redeem these points directly for Southwest flights by booking on Southwest's website or calling their reservations line. The number of points required for a flight varies based on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 6,000 to 8,000 points, while a longer route could cost 25,000 points or more. Southwest publishes their points chart, so you can see the cost before you book.
Points can also be used for seat upgrades, gift cards, hotel stays through Southwest's partners, and car rentals. The value you get depends on what you redeem for — a flight redemption often gives you better value per point than a gift card would.
Annual fees and sign-up bonuses explained
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card charges an annual fee of $99 or more, depending on the current offer. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card typically charges $69 annually. The basic Southwest Rapid Rewards card has no annual fee.
To offset the annual fee, each card offers a sign-up bonus — a large number of points awarded when you open the account and meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually three months. The bonus amount varies: a card with a $99 annual fee might offer 75,000 bonus points, while a no-fee card might offer 40,000 bonus points. You can find the current bonus offers on Chase's website.
Whether the annual fee is worth it depends on how much you'll use the card and how many points you'll earn. If you spend enough to earn back the fee's value in points, and you'll actually redeem those points for flights, the fee pays for itself. If you won't use the card regularly, a no-annual-fee card is the better choice.
How to earn the sign-up bonus
When you open a Southwest Airlines Chase Visa card, you receive a sign-up bonus offer that requires you to spend a certain amount on the card within a specific timeframe — usually three months. The spending requirement varies by card version and current promotion, ranging from $500 to $3,000 or more.
The bonus posts to your account automatically once you meet the spending requirement. You don't need to do anything special — just use the card for regular purchases until you reach the threshold. The points appear in your Rapid Rewards account within a few weeks of meeting the requirement.
If you don't meet the spending requirement within the timeframe, you won't receive the bonus. Plan your spending carefully, or consider whether you can time a large purchase (like travel or home repairs) to coincide with the three-month window.
How the card fits into your credit profile
Opening a new credit card affects your credit score in two ways. First, Chase performs a hard inquiry when you explore, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. Second, a new account lowers your average account age, which also affects your score slightly. These impacts are usually small and fade within a few months.
The card can help your credit score over time if you use it responsibly. Charging purchases and paying the full balance each month shows lenders you can manage credit, which improves your score. Carrying a balance and paying interest, by contrast, costs you money and doesn't improve your score any faster.
If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next few months, opening a new card might not be the right timing. If you're not explore for credit soon, the temporary score impact is usually worth the rewards you'll earn.
Comparing the three Southwest card versions
| Card Version | Annual Fee | Earning Rate | Sign-Up Bonus (varies) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | $99+ | 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases; 1 point per $1 on all other purchases | Typically 75,000+ points |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus | $69 | 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases; 1 point per $1 on all other purchases | Typically 60,000 points |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | None | 1 point per $1 on all purchases | Typically 40,000 points |
The Priority card offers the highest earning rate and the largest sign-up bonus, but the $99 annual fee means you need to use it regularly to break even. The Plus card splits the difference — a moderate fee with good earning rates. The no-fee card is best if you want to earn rewards without paying an annual cost, though you'll earn points more slowly.
Your choice depends on how much you'll spend on the card and how often you'll redeem points. If you spend $10,000 or more per year on Southwest purchases, the Priority card's higher earning rate likely covers the annual fee. If you spend less, the Plus or no-fee card may be smarter.
What happens if you close the card or stop using it
Your Rapid Rewards points never expire as long as your Southwest Rapid Rewards account stays active. Activity includes earning points, redeeming points, or even just logging into your account. You don't have to keep the credit card open to keep your points — you can close the card and your points remain in your airline account indefinitely.
If you close the card, you'll stop earning points on new purchases, but any points you've already earned stay with you. This matters if you're paying an annual fee you no longer want — you can close the card without losing your balance.
If your Southwest Rapid Rewards account itself becomes inactive (no activity for 24 months), Southwest may close the account and forfeit your points. To avoid this, log in occasionally or use points for a redemption every couple of years, even if it's a small one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Southwest Chase credit card at the same time?
Yes. You can hold multiple versions of the Southwest card simultaneously and earn sign-up bonuses on each one, though Chase has rules about how many cards you can open within a certain timeframe. Points from all your Southwest credit cards and your airline account combine in one Rapid Rewards account, so you can pool them toward a single flight redemption.
What's the difference between Rapid Rewards points and airline miles?
Southwest calls their rewards "points" rather than "miles," though the concept is similar. Rapid Rewards points are earned on the credit card and redeemed for flights and other travel. The redemption value doesn't depend on the distance flown — a short flight and a long flight might cost different point amounts, but the calculation isn't based on actual mileage.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, unless you close the card. The annual fee posts to your account each year on the anniversary of when you opened the card. You can call Chase to request a fee waiver or a reduced fee, though they don't always grant these requests. If the fee isn't worth it anymore, you can close the card without penalty.
Can I transfer Rapid Rewards points to another airline?
No. Rapid Rewards points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights, upgrades, and partner travel products. You cannot transfer them to another airline's frequent flyer program or convert them to cash.
What happens to my points if I close my Southwest Rapid Rewards account?
If you close your airline account, your points are forfeited. Closing the credit card alone doesn't close your airline account — those are separate. Your points stay in your airline account as long as the account remains active, even if you never use the credit card again.