Chase Southwest credit cards are some of the latest rewards cards to offer enticing bonuses for new cardholders. Get a Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and earn 50,000 Rapid Rewards Points after spending $1,000 in purchases in your first three months. That's a value of $750 when redeemed for travel.
Plus, get 7,500-anniversary points each year (worth about $112) and a $75 Southwest® travel credit each year. These two annual (recurring) benefits total about $187 when redeemed for travel, more than offsetting the $149 annual fee.
Southwest Credit Card overview
- Sign-up bonus: New cardholders earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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Rewards rates:
- Three points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
- Two points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Two points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming;
- One point per dollar on all other spending.
- Annual benefits: Cardholders receive four hefty bonuses on each account anniversary: a $75 Southwest® travel credit, a bonus of 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, four upgraded boardings when available and a 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost.
- Other benefits: Reimbursement for up to four upgraded airline boardings per year; 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status for each $10,000 spent on the card; and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
- Redemption: Points may be redeemed for travel on Southwest Airlines or through its Rapid Rewards program; points may also be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, and entertainment.
- Interest rate: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers.
- Annual fee: $149.
- Foreign transaction fee: None, so this is a good card to use abroad.
- Member FDIC
Want a card with a lower annual fee?
We think the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, profiled above, is the best deal of the suite of three Southwest cards issued by Chase. But if you don't travel frequently, you might want to consider a card with a lower annual fee.
Two related Chase cards have a lower annual fee but still qualify for the 50,000-point welcome offer.
- With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, you'll pay a $69 annual fee and earn a 3,000-point anniversary bonus each year (worth about $45). The 50,000 bonus points offer (after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months) still applies.
The mid-tier Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card also qualifies for the 50,000 bonus point offer if you spend $1,000 in the first three months. With this card, you'll pay a $99 annual fee and earn a 6,000-point anniversary bonus each year (worth about $90).
FAQ
Is the Rapid Rewards loyalty program free?
Yes, joining Southwest's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, is free.
Do the points expire?
No, Rapid Rewards points do not expire. If you close your account, however, you'll forfeit the points.
Are there blackout dates?
There are no blackout dates or seat restrictions on Rapid Rewards points.
How much is a Rapid Rewards point worth?
A recent Bankrate valuation shows that each point is worth 1.5 cents when redeemed for travel. That means that 1,000 points are worth up to $15.
Where does Southwest fly?
Southwest flies throughout the U.S. (including Hawaii, but not Alaska), Mexico, the Caribbean and most of Central America. Southwest does not partner with other airlines, so these aren't the points that will get you a European vacation.
How far can I fly with the 50,000-point bonus?
The points required for each flight will vary according to distance, time of day and other factors. When you book with points, you must also pay taxes, fees, and other government or airport-imposed charges of at least $5.60 per one-way trip.
How is the program improving in 2024?
Southwest recently modified the Rapid Rewards program to make it easier for members to achieve elite status. You can earn A-List status by flying one-way 20 times in a year (down from 25) and A-List Preferred status by flying one-way 40 in a year (down from 50).
Is the Rapid Rewards travel app any good?
The Southwest Mobile App won the second-best airline travel app ranking in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study.
Does any other credit card earn Rapid Rewards points?
Yes, it's worth comparing this card to the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card, which also has an attractive welcome offer. Chase Ultimate Rewards points may be redeemed for Southwest flights.
Rewards cards dos and don'ts
As with any rewards credit card, be sure to weigh these benefits against fees — a $149 annual fee in this case — and make sure you understand how to use the card effectively. That said, $149 should be easily offset if you travel enough to use the annual credit and the anniversary bonus points.
Reward credit cards are great if you use them wisely. However, always pay them off in full each month to avoid interest, which can dwarf the gain. And don't spend any more than usual to hit any trigger; otherwise, rewards cards can be a false economy as you’d be overspending.
