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Your Guide to Picking the Best Southwest Credit Card for 2024
August 30, 2024
Introduction to the Southwest Credit Cards
Southwest Airlines, known for its customer-friendly policies and extensive domestic (and now international) network, offers a range of co-branded credit cards that can help you earn valuable Southwest Rapid Rewards points and unlock exclusive perks. In this article, we'll help you decide if you should add one of these cards to your wallet.
What are the Southwest Personal Credit Cards?
Southwest Airlines partners with Chase and Visa to offer three personal credit cards and two business credit cards. We're going to focus on the personal offerings that come in three different flavors:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
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For the Casual Southwest Traveler
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If you're even only an occasional Southwest Airlines flyer looking for a way to boost your Rapid Rewards points and enjoy travel perks, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is definitely worth considering. It's ideal for occasional travelers who love Southwest's service but don't fly frequently enough to justify a higher annual fee. This card offers a taste of Southwest perks without breaking the bank, making it perfect for those who want to dip their toes into the Rapid Rewards program and enjoy some benefits without a hefty price tag.
One of the standout features of this card is the generous sign-up bonus. You'll earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.. This bonus alone can be enough for two round-trip flights, depending on your destination and travel dates.
Beyond the sign-up bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers a solid earning rate:
- 2x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners
- 2x points on local transit, commuting and rideshare services
- 2x points on internet, cable, phone and select streaming services
- 1x point on all other purchases
This means you can quickly rack up points on your everyday spending and travel purchases.
Another great perk of this card is the 3,000 bonus points (worth $30 - $80 depending on how you redeem) you'll receive every year on your cardmember anniversary. This anniversary bonus effectively offsets a good portion of the card's $69 annual fee, making it a more affordable option compared to other airline credit cards.
The points you earn with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, and more. Southwest Airlines is known for its customer-friendly policies, including no change fees and two free checked bags per passenger, which can save you hundreds of dollars on your travels.
One potential drawback of this card is that it doesn't offer some of the premium travel benefits you will find on higher-end cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates & fees). Those include airport lounge access, as well as travel credits and protections. However, for a reasonable annual fee of $69, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card still provides excellent value for even occasional Southwest flyers.
You can get more value from these cards in the first year with the welcome bonus. This bonus alone can be enough for two round-trip flights, depending on your destination and travel dates.
For the Regular Southwest Traveler
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If you fly Southwest Airlines regularly and are looking for a credit card that offers a bit more than the basics, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card fits the bill is the best option for Southwest loyalists, with an annual travel credit and an opportunity to earn tier-qualifying points. Like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, new cardmembers can earn an impressive 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Cardholders also earn:
- 3x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners
- 2x points on local transit, commuting and rideshare services
- 2x points on internet, cable, phone and select streaming services
- 1x point on all other purchases
One of our favorite perks is the 6,000 bonus points (worth $60 - $100 depending on how you redeem) you'll receive every year on your cardmember anniversary, which cuts down on the $99 annual fee by at least 60% if you're getting at least a $0.01 value for your Southwest points. Another valuable benefit of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the ability to earn tier-qualifying points towards A-List and A-List Preferred status. You can earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 you spend on the card, up to 15,000 tier qualifying points per year.
For the Southwest Loyalist
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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card rounds out the last of Southwest's personal card cards as the highest tier offering. Though it carries a $149 annual fee, it offers a host of benefits that can make your journeys more comfortable, rewarding, and cost-effective. Plus, you can score a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
Here's the rewards breakdown for the card:
- 3x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners
- 2x points on local transit, commuting and rideshare services
- 2x points on internet, cable, phone and select streaming services
- 1x point on all other purchases
What sets the Priority Card apart from the other two Southwest cards is its premium travel perks. The annual $75 Southwest travel credit effectively reduces the $149 annual fee to just $74. Plus, you'll receive 7,500 bonus points each year on your cardmember anniversary, which can be worth over $100 in Southwest flights.
Another standout feature is the four upgraded boardings per year (when available). This allows you to secure a coveted A1-A15 boarding position, ensuring you travel in your preferred seat. The 20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi is another nice touch, making your time in the air more enjoyable and productive. Lastly, with no foreign transaction fees, this card is perfect for both domestic and international travel.
What really sets this card apart is that it can fast-track you to the coveted Companion Pass. All points earned count towards the 135,000 point requirement, including the sign-up bonus and your everyday spending. And with the current 40,000-point bonus, you're almost a third of the way there!
How to redeem Southwest Rapid Rewards
You can redeem Rapid Rewards points in a number of ways. You’ll get the most value from points when you use them to book flights with Southwest Airlines.
You can also redeem your points to:
- Book hotel stays at more than 400,000 Rapid Rewards partner properties
- Book car rentals
- Pay for experiences such as spa packages, rafting and hiking
- Get gift cards or merchandise
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card Score Requirements
To qualify for a Southwest credit card, you generally need a good to excellent credit score (670 or higher). Keep in mind that Chase also has a 5/24 rule, which means you may not be approved if you've opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months.
Before you apply, there are a couple of other important rules to keep in mind:
- You can only hold one personal Southwest credit card at a time. No double-dipping allowed!
- If you've snagged a welcome bonus from any Southwest personal card in the last 24 months, you'll need to wait a bit longer.
Is a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card worth it?
Ultimately, the value of a Southwest credit card depends on your travel habits and goals. For many, the benefits far outweigh the costs, making these cards a worthwhile investment. Consider your travel patterns, crunch the numbers, and you might find that a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card is your ticket to more rewarding adventures.
Alternatives to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards
If you’re looking for more flexible rewards, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. While the Southwest cards offer good rewards for Southwest enthusiasts, they may not be the best choice if you want more flexibility in your rewards. These alternatives provide broader rewards options and travel benefits.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel.
- Rewards: 2x points on travel and dining at restaurants, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome Bonus: New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Rewards: 5x miles per $1 spent on hotels & car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95 (see rates & fees)
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Our Expert Takeaway
These three Southwest credit cards offer compelling value for frequent Southwest flyers. The generous sign-up bonus, anniversary points, and accelerated earning on Southwest purchases can quickly offset the annual fees. The cards' ability to earn towards earning the coveted Companion Pass is a standout feature, potentially saving travelers thousands on flights. However, the cards' value diminishes for those who don't regularly fly Southwest or prefer more flexible rewards programs. For Southwest loyalists, these cards can significantly enhance travel experiences and provide substantial savings, making them a worthy addition to their wallets.
Additionally, you can enhance your rewards even further by using Kudos. Kudos is a free, AI-powered smart wallet that helps you maximize your credit card rewards. It recommends the best card to use for each purchase, ensuring you get the most out of your Ulta Credit Card and other cards in your wallet. Start using Kudos today to turn your everyday spending into significant rewards!
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Cards FAQs
Do I earn points on all purchases?
Yes! You will earn:
- 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases as a Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Premier Cardmember
- 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases as a Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Cardmember
- 2 points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases
- 2 points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2 points per $1 spent internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases made with your card
When do I receive my points?
After you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days of having a Southwest card, you should see those bonus points post to your account one to two billing cycles later. Points earned on purchases appear in your Rapid Rewards account up to 30 days after your statement cycle date.
How do I check my points balance?
Just log into your Southwest account to check your points balance.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass and how do I get it?
The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to bring a partner, friend, or family member on any flight for just the taxes and fees, which are only $5.60 per person for one-way flights within the U.S. This benefit applies whether you pay for your ticket with cash or points and is valid for both domestic and international flights with Southwest. You can use the pass as many times as you like during its validity period. Additionally, you can change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year, so you don’t have to bring the same person each time. The main restriction is that your companion cannot fly without you.
Southwest requires you to either fly 100 qualifying flight segments or earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year to earn it. Luckily, the points you earn from signing up for one of the three personal Southwest cards gets counted toward the qualification requirement. In this case, with 40,000 points, you're almost a third of the way there!
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
