What the Chase Southwest Airlines card does
The Chase Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase and Southwest Airlines. When you use it to make purchases, you earn points toward free flights and other Southwest rewards. The card also comes with perks tied to Southwest travel — like checked bag fee waivers and boarding priority — though these vary depending on which version of the card you hold.
Chase offers three versions of this card: the Southwest Rapid Rewards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier. Each has a different annual fee, different sign-up rewards, and different ongoing benefits. The card is designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or plan to, since the rewards and perks are only useful if you actually book flights with that airline.
Like any credit card, you'll also build a credit history when you use it responsibly — making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit. That history affects your credit score, which lenders use to decide whether to lend to you and at what interest rate.
Key Takeaways
- You earn Rapid Rewards points on every purchase, and these points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks.
- The card charges an annual fee that ranges from $69 to $99 depending on which version you choose, and you pay this fee every year you keep the card open.
- New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of points after spending a certain amount within the first few months, which can cover the cost of a flight or two.
- Checked bag fees and priority boarding are included with the Plus and Premier versions, but not the basic Rapid Rewards card.
- The card's rewards are only valuable if you fly Southwest; if you fly other airlines or rarely travel, the annual fee may not be worth it.
How points work and what they're worth
Every time you swipe the Southwest card, you earn Rapid Rewards points. The earning rate depends on what you're buying. On Southwest purchases — flights, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases — you earn 3 points per dollar spent. On restaurants and local transit (gas, parking, rideshare, public transportation), you earn 2 points per dollar. On everything else, you earn 1 point per dollar.
Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, which you can access online or through the Southwest app. You redeem them by booking a flight on Southwest's website or by calling their reservations line. The number of points needed for a flight varies based on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book — a short flight might cost 6,000 points, while a cross-country flight could cost 25,000 or more.
One important detail: Southwest does not charge blackout dates. That means you can use your points on any flight Southwest operates, even during peak travel times. This is different from some other airline cards, where certain dates are off-limits for award bookings.
Annual fees and sign-up bonuses
The basic Southwest Rapid Rewards card charges a $69 annual fee. The Plus version charges $99 per year. The Premier version also charges $99 per year. You pay this fee once every 12 months, whether you use the card or not, so you need to decide whether the rewards and perks justify the cost.
To offset the annual fee, new cardholders receive a sign-up bonus. The bonus typically requires you to spend a certain amount — often $1,000 to $2,000 — within the first three months of opening the account. If you meet that spending requirement, you'll receive a large chunk of points, sometimes enough to cover a free flight. The exact bonus amount changes periodically, so check Chase's website for the current offer.
The sign-up bonus is usually the best value you'll get from the card. If you can meet the spending requirement through purchases you were already planning to make, the bonus can cover the annual fee and then some. If you'd have to manufacture spending just to hit the bonus, the math becomes less attractive.
Perks that come with the card
All three versions include some standard benefits. You get access to Southwest's customer service line reserved for cardholders. You earn double points on your birthday month. You can transfer points to a travel companion's account if you want to book them on a flight with you.
The Plus and Premier versions add two major perks. First, you get a checked bag fee waiver — Southwest normally charges $35 for your first checked bag and $40 for your second, but cardholders in these tiers check two bags free. If you fly twice a year, that alone saves you $140 annually, which nearly covers the annual fee. Second, you get priority boarding, which means you board earlier and have a better chance of getting a seat in your preferred location or overhead bin space.
The Premier version adds one more benefit: a $75 annual credit toward Southwest purchases. This credit can be used for flights, seat upgrades, or in-flight purchases. If you use it every year, it significantly reduces the effective cost of the $99 annual fee.
Interest rates and fees if you carry a balance
Like all credit cards, the Southwest card charges interest if you don't pay your full balance by the due date. The interest rate — called the APR, or annual percentage rate — varies based on your creditworthiness. Chase will tell you the range of rates you might receive when you explore, but your actual rate depends on your credit score and credit history.
The card also charges standard fees for late payments, returned payments, and cash advances. If you miss a payment, you'll pay a late fee (typically $25 to $39 for the first late payment) plus interest on the unpaid balance. If you take a cash advance — withdrawing money from an ATM using your credit card — you'll pay a cash advance fee and a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
The key to avoiding these fees is straightforward: pay your full statement balance every month. If you can't do that, the rewards you earn will be eaten up by interest charges, and the card becomes a bad deal. This is true for any rewards card — the rewards only make sense if you're not paying interest.
Who should consider this card
This card makes sense if you fly Southwest at least a few times per year and you pay your balance in full each month. The checked bag waiver alone (on the Plus or Premier versions) can save you more than the annual fee if you travel regularly. The points you earn on everyday purchases add up over time, especially if you use the card for groceries, gas, and restaurants.
The card is less attractive if you rarely fly, if you fly other airlines most of the time, or if you tend to carry a credit card balance. In those cases, the annual fee and interest charges will outweigh any rewards you earn.
You should also consider your credit score before explore. Chase typically approves this card for people with good to excellent credit — usually a score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide. If your score is lower, you might be denied, or you might receive a lower credit limit. You can check your own credit score free through many banks and credit card issuers, or through sites like AnnualCreditReport.com.
How to compare this card to other airline cards
Other airlines offer their own co-branded credit cards through Chase and other issuers. American Airlines, United, and Delta all have multiple card options. When comparing them, look at three things: the annual fee, the sign-up bonus, and the perks that matter to you.
If you fly one airline much more than others, a card from that airline usually makes the most sense. If you split your flying between two or three airlines, you might be better off with a general travel rewards card that lets you earn points on any airline, or a cash-back card that gives you money back on all purchases. Those cards typically have lower annual fees and more flexibility.
You can hold multiple credit cards at once, so some people carry both an airline card and a general rewards card. Just remember that each card's annual fee adds up, so the total rewards need to justify the total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fly Southwest to make this card worth it?
You need to fly Southwest at least occasionally, or the annual fee won't pay for itself. If you fly Southwest two or three times per year and check bags, the checked bag waiver (on the Plus or Premier) covers most of the annual fee. If you never fly Southwest, the card has no value.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account even after you close the card. You can still redeem them for flights. However, if your account sits inactive for 24 months with no points activity, Southwest may close the account and forfeit your points, so use them or earn them periodically.
Can I use points on flights booked by someone else?
You can transfer points to a travel companion's account, or you can book a flight for someone else using your points. You don't have to be the one flying to use your points — they're tied to your account, not to your name on the ticket.
What's the difference between the three versions of the card?
The basic Rapid Rewards card has a $69 annual fee and no checked bag waiver. The Plus and Premier both charge $99 annually and include the checked bag waiver and priority boarding. The Premier adds a $75 annual credit toward Southwest purchases, which makes the effective annual fee only $24 if you use the credit.
Will this card hurt my credit score?
Opening a new credit card temporarily lowers your score because it creates a hard inquiry and lowers your average account age. Over time, if you pay on time and keep your balance low, the card will help your score by adding to your payment history and available credit. The long-term benefit usually outweighs the short-term dip.