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Southwest Airlines isn't for everyone, but some travelers “LUV” the low-cost, open-seating (for now), bags-fly-free airline. For those who utilize the airline, it can make sense to add a co-branded credit card to your wallet.
But how do you choose the right one? Southwest offers five co-branded credit cards — three personal and two business. All of these Southwest cards are issued by Chase. Each card has its own unique set of perks and benefits, as well as a difference in annual fees. Which one is right for you will vary from individual to individual. Plus a new, limited-time welcome offer may sway your decision on when to get a Southwest credit card.
Since the Southwest cards feature different levels of perks and benefits, let's take a deeper look into each card and see which is best suited to your travel goals.
Page Contents
Comparing Personal Southwest Credit Cards
To choose the best Southwest credit card for your situation, let's look at how they're different. Each Southwest consumer credit card comes with its own benefits and perks, which can more than outweigh its annual fee. If you play your cards right, you'll get far more value than it costs to keep your card year after year.
- 2X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent on all Southwest® purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on all Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent on all Southwest® purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on all Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
This is a no-frills card that is a great option for those not worried about elite status or priority benefits. What you will get, however, is two Southwest Early Bird check-ins per year, a 3,000-point anniversary bonus, and 25% back on inflight purchases.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
When you factor in the Early Bird Check-Ins (worth at least $15 each) and 3,000 anniversary points (worth an average of $45), you've more than offset the annual fee. Keep in mind that this card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. If you want a card to use for overseas purchases while traveling, this may not be the best option.
Our take: Get this card if you're looking to earn the welcome bonus while paying a low annual fee for a few small benefits year after year.
Related: Southwest Plus Card review
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
The Southwest Premier Card card is the mid-tier card and a step above the Southwest Plus Card. For one, you won't pay foreign transaction fees, and the increased 6,000-point anniversary bonus can make this card a keeper.
- 3X points per $1 spent on all Southwest® purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on all Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
You'll still enjoy the welcome bonus and two EarlyBird check-ins each year. Plus, no foreign transaction fees puts this card a step above the Southwest Plus Card.
Our take: Consider the Southwest Premier Card if you want a card you can use anywhere you travel but can't stomach the higher annual fee on the Southwest Priority Card.
Related: Southwest Premier Card review
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
The Southwest Priority Card card is the top-tier card of the trio. The annual fee is higher than its two counterparts. Still, it also comes with elite benefits and other perks that set it apart from the other two personal Southwest cards. In fact, assuming you travel a few times per year, the benefits more than offset the $149 annual fee.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 spent on all Southwest® purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on all Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- 2X points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
This card includes a $75 Southwest travel credit (which can be used toward flight purchases), four Upgraded Boardings to A1-15 per year (worth at least $30 each), 25% back on inflight purchases, and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus. The value of the anniversary points plus the travel credit easily outweighs the annual fee. And the other perks are just a bonus.
Our take: This is the best personal card as long as you can utilize the $75 travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points.
Related: Southwest Priority Card review
Comparing Southwest Credit Cards for Small Businesses
Anyone who flies Southwest even occasionally should consider one of its business cards. Not only do these cards not count against your 5/24 status (see above notes on application rules), but the “you can only have one of these cards” rule for personal Southwest cards doesn't apply to these business cards.
And before you think you aren't eligible for a business credit card, you might be surprised. Selling items online, walking dogs in your neighborhood, and other paid work you do on the side can qualify as a business.
- 4X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners
- 2X points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and phone services
- 2X points per $1 spent on rideshare
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and communting, including rideshare
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
This is the more premium product out of the two Southwest business card options and can make sense for someone who frequently flies Southwest. The Wi-Fi credits alone can add up to big savings; you're essentially paying $199 for a full-year Southwest Wi-Fi subscription. Additionally, you'll save up to $120 a year with the four Upgraded Boardings this card offers.
- Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
- Earn 2X points on rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 4X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners
- 2X points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, Internet, cable and phone services
- 2X points per $1 spent on rideshare
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Plus, with a $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit, you can breeze your way through security. Finally, the 9,000 anniversary points are worth at least $125.
In most cases, if you're earning a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass through welcome bonuses, you'll typically need to open a business card anyway. Of the two options, the substantial perks of this card should make it a top choice.
Our take: Whether it's to essentially get a Southwest Wi-Fi subscription or as part of earning the Southwest Companion Pass, this card is a top choice for small business owners.
Related: Southwest Performance Business Card review
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
If you are opposed to high annual fees and don't fly Southwest too often, the Southwest Premier Business Card card could be right up your alley. You can still spend your way to A-List status, and you'll also get two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year.
- Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
- Earn 2X points on rideshare.
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards® Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases
- 2X points per $1 spent on local transit and communting, including rideshare
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases
However, you lose out on the Wi-Fi credits and government security program credit. But for just a $99 annual fee, this card is a great deal. Plus, you get a 6,000 Rapid Rewards point anniversary bonus just for holding the card and paying the annual fee each year. Those points are worth around $90, based on AwardWallet user redemptions.
Our take: Open this card if you need a card with a more manageable minimum spending requirement and a handful of solid benefits.
Related: Southwest Premier Business Card review
Earn a Companion Pass With Southwest Credit Cards
One of the best reasons to grab any of these Southwest credit cards is for the super lucrative Companion Pass. For those who aren't familiar with it, earning the Southwest Companion Pass allows you to take a companion with you on any Southwest flight, as long as there is an open seat. You'll only pay for the taxes and fees — starting at just $5.60 for domestic flights. International flights will cost more in taxes and fees.
To qualify for this benefit, you need to take 100 qualifying flights or earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. Rapid Rewards earned through credit card welcome offers and credit card spending all count toward the pass, as well. Signing up for a Southwest credit card (or two) and getting the signup bonus is one of the fastest methods of earning a Companion Pass.
Better yet, once you earn it, the Companion Pass is valid for the rest of the year in which you qualify — plus the entire year after! That's right: Any credit card bonus points that you earn in 2025 will count towards earning the Companion Pass for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026. That's a lot of free flights for your companion!
You can read our complete guide to earning the Southwest Companion Pass to learn more. Timing is everything to stretch the validity of this benefit.
Southwest Credit Card Application Rules
Before applying for the right Southwest credit card for you, it's crucial to have an understanding of Chase's application rules as they pertain to co-branded Southwest credit cards. That will help you determine if you are eligible for a card's welcome bonus or not.
Chase's 5/24 rule
The first application rule to keep in mind is Chase's 5/24 rule. In short: If you have opened five or more new credit card accounts in the previous 24 months (based on what's seen on your credit report), you may not be eligible to open any of the cards mentioned in this article. New accounts include the following:
- All personal credit cards from any credit card provider
- Sometimes authorized user accounts
- Business cards from Discover and Capital One if they're showing on your credit report
The good news is that pretty much all other business credit accounts do not count towards 5/24. You can open business card accounts, even from Chase, and not get a ding on 5/24 number. Just keep in mind that if you are over 5/24, you will not be eligible for a business card.
Whew. Got that all? It's okay if you are still confused. You can read more in our comprehensive article covering Chase 5/24. Additionally, you can find out how to check your Chase 5/24 score.
Southwest card-specific limitations
The second application rule applies specifically to the personal Southwest cards. Here are the specific terms from Chase:
The product is not available to either (i) current Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapid Rewards® Credit Card, or (ii) previous Cardmembers of any Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card who received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Cardmembers of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Card and Employee Credit Card products.
This means that if you currently have any personal Southwest credit card, you cannot get another. It also means that if you have received a bonus on a Southwest card in the last 24 months, you won't be eligible for another one until the required amount of time has passed.
Fortunately, business cards do not fall under this rule. We'll delve more into this later.
Final Thoughts
There are many things to consider when it's time to choose which Southwest credit card is right for you: annual fee, how often you fly the airline, and if you can maximize the perks. Whichever card you choose, though, you are still bound to get amazing value — especially if you qualify for and maximize a Companion Pass.
Related: How the Southwest Airlines Boarding Process Works
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), and Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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