How to Get Your Southwest Credit Card
Understanding the Southwest Airlines Credit Card Basics
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Southwest Airlines. This card is designed for people who fly Southwest Airlines frequently or want to earn rewards on their everyday purchases. Unlike some other airline credit cards, the Southwest card focuses on a straightforward rewards system that converts directly into flight benefits.
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The card comes in two main versions: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. Both cards operate on the same rewards structure but differ in annual fees and some benefits. The Premier Card currently has a $69 annual fee, while the Plus Card has a $99 annual fee. These fees are charged each year you keep the card active, not just once.
The rewards system works through points called Rapid Rewards points. Every dollar you spend on the card earns you one point toward flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and other travel-related purchases. When you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for flights at no additional cost beyond taxes and fees. For example, a domestic flight might require anywhere from 6,000 to 15,000 points depending on the route and demand.
Southwest Airlines operates as a low-cost carrier focusing on domestic flights within the United States, plus flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. The airline is known for policies like allowing two free checked bags for all passengers, which is unusual in the current airline industry. Understanding how Southwest operates helps explain why people choose this card.
Practical takeaway: Before pursuing this card, research whether you actually fly Southwest or plan to in the coming year. If you rarely fly Southwest, the rewards may not provide meaningful value. If you fly Southwest even occasionally, the sign-up bonus and ongoing points might offset the annual fee.
Sign-Up Bonuses and Introductory Offers
The Southwest credit card's most valuable feature is the sign-up bonus offered to new cardholders. As of recent years, Chase typically offers bonuses worth around 40,000 to 75,000 Rapid Rewards points, though these offers change periodically. The exact bonus amount varies depending on current promotions, the card version you choose, and where you see the offer advertised.
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To earn the sign-up bonus, you must spend a minimum amount within a specified timeframe, usually 3,000 to 5,000 dollars within your first three months of card ownership. This spending requirement is designed to be manageable for most cardholders and can include regular purchases like groceries, gas, and bills. The key is ensuring your spending happens within the time window specified in your offer terms.
A 50,000-point bonus provides substantial value. According to Southwest's own redemption charts, 50,000 points can purchase multiple domestic roundtrip flights or one or two premium long-distance flights. Some people calculate this as worth approximately $500 to $750 in travel value, though the actual value depends on which flights you book and when you book them.
Sign-up bonuses occasionally include additional perks beyond points. These might include anniversary bonuses of extra points each year, statement credits for specific purchases, or companion pass benefits. The companion pass is particularly valuable—it allows you to designate one person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight you book.
One important detail: sign-up bonuses are typically offered only once every 24 months per person. If you received a bonus on a Southwest card within the past two years, you may not receive another bonus if you open a new Southwest card. This means timing matters for getting maximum value.
Practical takeaway: Calculate whether you'll spend the required amount within the timeframe before pursuing the card. Count regular expenses you'll make anyway—utilities, insurance, gas—not hypothetical spending. If meeting the spending requirement requires unusual purchases, the bonus may not be worth it.
Card Features and Ongoing Benefits
Beyond earning points on purchases, the Southwest credit card includes various features that provide value throughout the year. Understanding these benefits helps you determine if the annual fee justifies keeping the card long-term.
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The most notable ongoing benefit is earning a bonus points anniversary reward on each card anniversary date. This typically provides 3,000 bonus points simply for keeping the card active for a year. When calculated against the annual fee, this bonus effectively reduces your net cost. A $69 annual fee minus the value of 3,000 anniversary points means the card only costs you money if you value those points at less than $0.023 each, which is below typical redemption values.
The card includes baggage benefits that extend to your travel companions. Southwest already allows two free checked bags for all passengers, but the credit card provides priority boarding benefits. Priority boarding means you board before general passengers, improving your chances of getting overhead bin space and better seating. The card also provides a boarding pass that grants you priority boarding without needing to purchase it separately.
Purchase protections included with the card cover items you buy with your card. These protections typically include purchase protection that reimburses you if a covered item is damaged or stolen within a certain timeframe after purchase. The card also includes extended warranty protection that extends the manufacturer's warranty on eligible items you purchase.
Travel accident insurance is included at no cost. This provides coverage if you experience an accident while traveling as a passenger on a common carrier. Additional protections may include lost luggage reimbursement and travel delay reimbursement in certain circumstances.
The card provides no foreign transaction fees, which matters if you use your card internationally. This is particularly useful for travel to Mexico and the Caribbean, where Southwest operates many flights. You can use the card without paying additional percentages for currency conversion.
Practical takeaway: Review the specific benefits listed in the card's terms before opening the account. These benefits change periodically, so verify current offerings directly through Chase's website rather than relying on outdated information elsewhere.
Understanding Points, Rewards, and Redemption Options
The Rapid Rewards points you earn through the Southwest credit card are the core value of the card. Learning how to maximize redemption helps you get the most travel benefit from your points.
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Points can be redeemed in several ways beyond just flight tickets. You can use points for hotel stays through Southwest's hotel partners, car rentals through various agencies, or gift cards to retail partners. However, redeeming for flights provides the best value in most cases. Redeeming for other products typically means each point is worth less than if you redeemed for flights.
Flight redemptions work on a points-based system where routes have different point requirements based on distance and demand. A short flight from Dallas to Houston might require 6,000 points roundtrip, while a cross-country flight from New York to Los Angeles might require 10,000 to 15,000 points. Southwest publishes redemption charts showing point requirements for various routes.
One valuable feature unique to Southwest is that point requirements don't increase during peak travel times. Unlike some competitors, flying during holiday periods or summer vacation doesn't cost more points. This means your points have consistent value year-round, though flight availability may be more limited during peak times.
Southwest occasionally offers point promotions where you can purchase additional points at discounted rates. These promotions typically cost around $100 to $200 for 10,000 points, making them worthwhile only if you're close to a redemption threshold and need just a few more points to complete a booking.
The Companion Pass represents the highest-value redemption option. This pass, earned by accumulating 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year, lets you designate one person who flies free with you for a full calendar year and the following January. A companion pass earned in 2024 works through January 2025, for example. The value of this pass can be substantial—a companion flying 10 roundtrips would receive travel worth thousands of dollars.
Practical takeaway: Before opening the card, identify flights you'll actually take and check their point requirements. If your typical flights require 12,000 points and you'll earn roughly 15,000 to 20,000 points yearly through spending and bonuses, you'll get one free roundtrip annually—useful but not exceptional value.
Comparing Southwest Cards to Other Airline Cards
The credit card market includes many airline credit cards from American, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, and
This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.