What the Chase Southwest Visa Card offers
The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase and Southwest Airlines. It earns points on every purchase, with bonus points for Southwest tickets and other travel expenses. The card comes with an annual fee, a companion pass benefit (on some versions), and access to Southwest's priority boarding tiers.
Chase offers three versions of this card: the Southwest Rapid Rewards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier. Each has different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and benefits. The main difference between them is the annual fee amount and what perks come included — higher fees unlock more benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
The card is designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or plan to. If you fly other airlines primarily, or rarely fly at all, the annual fee will likely outweigh the rewards you earn.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else, with sign-up bonuses that typically cover the annual fee in the first year.
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and Premier versions include a Companion Pass benefit after you spend a set amount in a year, which lets another person fly free on most Southwest flights.
- Annual fees range from $69 to $99 depending on which version you choose, and they recur every year unless you close the account.
- You need at least 25,000 points to book a flight, and points can expire if your account is inactive for 24 months.
- The card is most valuable if you fly Southwest at least twice a year and can use the Companion Pass or priority boarding benefits.
How the rewards structure works
All three versions of the Chase Southwest card earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases (flights, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. There are no bonus categories for gas, groceries, or dining — the rewards are flat across non-Southwest spending.
Points are redeemed directly for Southwest flights at no additional cost. You book through Southwest's website and pay with points instead of cash. A flight that costs $200 might require 25,000 to 50,000 points depending on the route and how far in advance you book. Points do not transfer to other airlines or programs, and they expire if your account has no activity for 24 consecutive months.
The sign-up bonus typically ranges from 40,000 to 75,000 points depending on the card version and current promotion. A 50,000-point bonus is worth roughly $500 to $750 in Southwest flights, which often covers the annual fee and then some in the first year.
Comparing the three card versions
| Feature | Rapid Rewards | Rapid Rewards Plus | Rapid Rewards Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $69 | $69 | $99 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 40,000 points | 50,000 points | 75,000 points |
| Companion Pass Benefit | No | Yes, after $2,000 spend | Yes, after $3,000 spend |
| Free Checked Bags | No | Yes, for cardholder and companion | Yes, for cardholder and companion |
| Priority Boarding | No | A-List status (50% toward elite status) | A-List Preferred status (75% toward elite status) |
| Points per Dollar (Southwest) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
The Rapid Rewards (basic version) is the cheapest option but offers no special perks beyond earning points. The Plus and Premier versions both include a Companion Pass, which is the main draw — it lets you bring another person on most Southwest flights for the cost of taxes and fees only (usually $5 to $15 per flight). The Premier version gives you more elite status progress and a higher sign-up bonus, but costs $30 more per year.
If you fly Southwest alone and rarely travel with others, the basic Rapid Rewards card may be enough. If you travel with a partner or family member regularly, the Plus or Premier version pays for itself through the Companion Pass alone.
When the annual fee makes sense
The annual fee is worth it only if you fly Southwest at least twice a year or can use the Companion Pass benefit. A single round-trip flight typically earns enough points to offset the fee, but only if you're already planning that trip.
The Companion Pass on the Plus and Premier versions is the real value driver. If you fly with the same person twice a year, the Companion Pass saves you $400 to $600 in airfare annually — far more than the $69 or $99 annual fee. Without the Companion Pass, you need to earn at least 4,000 to 5,000 points per year just to break even on the fee, which requires roughly $2,000 to $2,500 in annual spending.
If you don't fly Southwest, or if you fly other airlines primarily, close the card before the annual fee posts. Chase typically allows you to downgrade to a no-fee version instead of closing the account entirely, which preserves your account history and points balance.
Priority boarding and elite status
The Plus and Premier versions include A-List status or A-List Preferred status, which gives you priority boarding on Southwest flights. A-List lets you board in the A group (earlier than most passengers), and A-List Preferred moves you into the A-List Preferred group, which boards even earlier. This matters if you want to find overhead bin space or sit near the front of the plane.
The status also counts toward Southwest's elite tier system. If you fly enough to reach A-List status on your own (through paid flights), the card's status benefit counts as 50% or 75% of the way there, depending on which version you hold. This can help you reach higher elite tiers faster, which unlock additional perks like free upgrades and bonus points.
If you rarely fly or don't care about seat selection, this benefit adds little value. If you fly Southwest frequently and want to avoid the middle seat, it's worth factoring into your decision.
Comparing to other airline cards
Other airline cards offer similar structures but with different rewards rates and benefits. The United Club Infinite Card earns 2 points per dollar on United purchases but charges $650 annually and targets frequent flyers. The American Express Platinum Card earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines but costs $695 per year and is designed for high-spend travelers.
The Southwest card is cheaper than most premium airline cards and doesn't require you to spend heavily to break even. The Companion Pass benefit is unique to Southwest and has no direct equivalent on other airline cards. However, if you fly multiple airlines or want flexibility, a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred might be better — it earns 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, transfers points to airline partners, and costs $95 annually.
The choice depends on your travel patterns. If you fly Southwest exclusively and want the Companion Pass, the Southwest card wins. If you fly multiple airlines or want more flexibility, a general travel card may be a better fit.
How to use points and avoid expiration
Points are booked directly through Southwest's website. You search for a flight, see the point cost, and pay with your points balance instead of a credit card. You can also use points to buy gift cards, upgrade seats, or purchase items through Southwest's shopping portal, though flights are the best value.
Points expire if your account is inactive for 24 consecutive months. Activity includes earning or redeeming points, or flying on a Southwest ticket purchased with the card. If you don't fly Southwest for two years, your points disappear. To keep points alive, you can make a small purchase with the card or book a flight, even if you don't take it.
There is no way to transfer points to another person or to another airline. If you decide Southwest isn't right for you, your points are locked to that account and can only be used for Southwest travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points on flights booked by someone else?
No. Points are tied to your account and can only be used to book flights in your name. You cannot gift points to another person or use them to pay for someone else's ticket. The Companion Pass is the way to bring someone else on a flight — it discounts their ticket, not yours.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest account as long as you keep the account active. Closing the card does not close your Rapid Rewards account. However, if your Rapid Rewards account has no activity for 24 months, your points expire. You can keep the account alive by making a small purchase with any payment method or booking a flight.
Do I earn points on the annual fee?
No. Annual fees do not earn points. Only purchases and bonuses earn points. The sign-up bonus is the main way to offset the annual fee in year one.
Is the Companion Pass worth the higher annual fee on the Premier card?
Only if you fly Southwest at least twice a year with a companion. The Premier costs $30 more per year than the Plus, but both include the Companion Pass. The Premier's higher sign-up bonus and extra elite status progress matter only if you fly frequently enough to use those benefits.
Can I downgrade to a no-fee card instead of closing my account?
Yes. Chase allows you to downgrade the Southwest card to a no-fee version, which keeps your account and points intact. Call the number on the back of your card and ask about downgrading before the annual fee posts.