Most products on this page are from partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how they appear on the page. However, opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
- APR19.99% - 28.49% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$229
-
Sign Up Bonus
100,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,200 (100,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.012 base)
If you’re looking for a Southwest credit card stacked with travel rewards and perks, this is it. Although it has the highest annual fee of Southwest consumer cards, you could easily offset the fee if you travel Southwest frequently.
Practical Perks and a Reasonable Annual Fee for Frequent Southwest Flyers
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Rates and Fees) isn’t your average premium credit card. It seems downright modest compared to the behemoths. But what it lacks in glamor, it makes up for with substance. In exchange for a relatively reasonable $229 annual fee, it packs many perks to improve your travel experience on a notoriously egalitarian airline. If you are a loyal Southwest flyer looking to fast-track your way to a Companion Pass® or want extra points for your next Southwest flight, the Priority card can get you there.
Pros
- Strong rewards rate for Southwest Airlines® purchases
- 7,500 anniversary bonus points as a cardmember
- Guaranteed boarding with Group 5 or earlier
Cons
- Higher annual fee may not be a fit for some
- Must fly Southwest with some frequency for card to make sense
Card Highlights
So, which Priority credit card perks make flying Southwest more pleasant? Benefits include bonus points, free first checked bags, and early Preferred seat selection.
- 4x points on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- 2x points at gas stations and restaurants
- 7,500 anniversary points
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge (subject to availability)
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5
- No foreign transaction fees
Frequent Southwest flyers will get the most value out of this card, especially those who tend to choose this airline over others.
Sign-Up Bonus
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card comes with a generous sign-up bonus. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
That bonus offer will go a long way toward domestic flights and even international destinations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
It should be noted that other, less-expensive Southwest consumer cards also offer the same sign-up bonus. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, on the other hand, justifies its higher fee in ways other than the sign-up bonus.
Earning Rewards
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers generous rewards in common spending categories. These rewards can add up if you spend a lot at gas stations and restaurants. Depending on your spending habits, you could make this your go-to card for purchases.
Here's how you earn rewards with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card:
- 4x points on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- 2x points at gas stations and restaurants
- 1x points on all other purchases
The more you spend with this Southwest card, the more you can earn.
Recommended Travel Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
75,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,575 (75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.021 base) |
$95 |
1x- 5xPoints
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases |
Apply Now Rates and Fees |
|
|
60,000
Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip. |
$95 |
1x - 5xPoints
Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
|
|
100,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,200 (100,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.012 base) |
$99 |
1x - 2xPoints
Earn 2X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases. Earn 2X points at Gas stations and Grocery stores on first $5,000 in combined purchases per year. Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
Apply Now Rates and Fees |
|
|
60,000Citi ThankYou® Points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. Dollar Equivalent: $1,080 (60,000 Citi ThankYou® Points * 0.018 base) |
$95 |
1X-10XPoints
10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations 1x -- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
Redeeming Rewards
Your options for redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards are somewhat limited compared to most other airline cards. You can redeem your Rapid Rewards points for:
- Gift cards: You can redeem points for gift cards from many popular brands and retailers.
- Merchandise: Points can be redeemed for merchandise ranging from electronics to home products.
- Hotel stays: Redeem for hotel stays at over 70,000 hotels worldwide.
- Experiences: This can include cruises, spa packages, kayaking, and more.
- Southwest flights: Southwest doesn’t partner with any major airlines, so members are limited to redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards points on Southwest flights. Slickdeals values Rapid Rewards points at about 1.2 cents, which is not bad compared to other airline valuations.
Southwest credit card members get access to More Rewards, which includes international flights and hotels, events, rental car bookings and gift cards. While that makes the card more appealing, remember that the redemption value isn’t great. You’ll get less than 1 cent per point on international flights, which is not ideal.
Card Benefits and Perks
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers generous benefits that offset the $229 annual fee. Southwest isn’t a flashy airline, so these benefits are as flashy as it gets:
- 7,500 points every cardmember anniversary
- First free checked bag for yourself and up to 8 accompanying passengers
- Option to select a Preferred seat at time of booking for no additional charge
- Guaranteed boarding in Group 5 for yourself and up to 8 accompanying passengers
- Accelerated path toward A-List status
- In-flight discounts
- Travel insurances
- No foreign transaction fees
7,500 Bonus Points Every Cardmember Anniversary
Priority cardholders earn 7,500 bonus points annually for renewing and paying the annual fee. This is a pretty valuable perk since earning 7,500 points would require a minimum of $1,875 in credit card spending. Your 7,500 Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be worth about $100 on many flights. Even occasional Southwest flyers will find value in this benefit.
Free First Checked Bags
In 2025, Southwest started charging passengers a fee for all checked bags. However, Southwest cardholders have the opportunity to potentially skirt this new rule.
With this card, you and up to 8 accompanying passengers can check your first bag free of charge. Just be sure that all additional passengers are booked on the same reservation as the cardholder to take advantage of this perk.
Preferred Seat Selection
With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, you gain the option to select a Preferred seat at the time of your booking (subject to availability) for no additional charge. While other consumer Southwest cards offer similar perks, the option doesn't become available until 48 hours before departure.
Since seat selection can easily be one of the most contentious parts of traveling, this perk is exceedingly valuable.
Board With Group 5
Cardholders (along with up to 8 passengers on the same reservation) are guaranteed to board with Group 5. Considering Southwest's updated boarding procedure spans 8 different groups, this perk helps ensure cardholders have earlier access to overhead baggage compartment space.
2,500 Tier-Qualifying Points for Every $5,000 Spent
You can spend your way to A-list status with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. The card earns 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent. Southwest A-List status normally requires 35,000 TQPs and includes priority boarding.
If you make it to 70,000 points, you’ll reach A-List Preferred status. At this level, you’ll enjoy the same perks as A-List members, plus complimentary Wi-Fi and 100% bonus points on paid flights. What's more, A-List Preferred status members can also get two free drinks per eligible flight.
25% Back on In-Flight Purchases
Southwest doesn’t offer much for sale during flights, so the 25% discount on purchases won’t go very far. You can use it to pay for Wi-Fi, which costs $8 per day, or alcoholic beverages. Otherwise, the airline doesn’t sell food, so you won’t get much value from this benefit unless you’re traveling with a group.
Simply charge your purchases to your Southwest Priority Credit Card, and you’ll get 25% back as a statement credit within 1-2 billing cycles.
Earn Valuable Points or Miles for TravelBest Travel Credit Cards
Visit the Marketplace
Insurance
Whether traveling or staying put, you want your valuables to be protected in case of damage or theft. The Southwest Priority Credit Card gives you peace of mind with four types of protection:
- Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per passenger.
- Baggage delay insurance: Up to $100 per day for three days when your luggage is delayed over six hours.
- Extended warranty: Extends eligible warranties of three years or less by one additional year.
- Purchase protection: Covers purchases for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Drawbacks
When considering the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, it's essential to weigh both its advantages and disadvantages. While this card provides significant benefits to frequent Southwest Airlines flyers, some aspects may discourage potential cardholders.
- $229 annual fee may be a deterrent. The card's advantages might be able to offset this fee, but only loyal Southwest Airlines passengers can truly benefit from these advantages. For those who don't regularly fly with the airline, these benefits may not be worth the high annual fee.
- Rewards structure is fairly limited. Cardholders don't get many points unless they spend money directly with the airline or on select purchases related to gas and restaurants.
- Minimal reward redemption options. Points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights or their hotel and car rental partners, gift cards or merchandise. This limits the flexibility typically associated with more general travel credit cards, which allow points to be redeemed for a broader range of travel-related purchases or for cash back.
- No 0% introductory APR period. Many other cards provide this benefit, which can be a big help for new cardholders who have big purchases coming up or want to transfer a balance from another high-interest card.
- Southwest presence is limited in certain areas: Southwest Airlines is a low-cost carrier with few international flight options. If you frequently travel internationally, this card may be less useful. Also, if you live in a city where Southwest doesn't have many flights, the rewards on this card may be ineffective.
Annual Fee
The Priority Credit Card has a $229 annual fee. It’s the most expensive Southwest credit card on the market. Be sure that you'll make the most of its specific perks and rewards categories, as you may find that your needs can be met with one of the less expensive consumer Southwest cards.
Related Article
Southwest Credit Card Offers: Earn Up to 100,000 Bonus Points
Other Fees
Aside from the annual fee, here are some common fees you might encounter with this card:
- Interest charges
- Late payment fees
- Balance transfer fees
- Cash advance fees
The good news is the Southwest Priority Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for those who frequently make international purchases.
Recommended Credit Score
One factor to consider when applying for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is your credit score. This card is generally intended for applicants with good to excellent credit. It is important to note, however, that the card issuer, Chase, does not officially publish minimum credit score requirements.
While a specific credit score is difficult to determine, many financial experts and cardholders recommend a credit score of 670 or higher to increase your chances of approval.
It's also important to remember that Chase doesn't just look at your credit score when reviewing your application. Your income, existing debts, and credit utilization rate are all important considerations.
How the Southwest Priority Credit Card Compares to Other Travel Cards
| Credit Card | Sign-Up Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
100,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,200 (100,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.012 base) |
$229 |
1x - 4xPoints
Earn 4X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases. Earn 2X points at gas stations and restaurants. Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
Apply Now Rates and Fees |
|
|
75,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,575 (75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.021 base) |
$95 |
1x- 5xPoints
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases |
Apply Now Rates and Fees |
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a strong contender among airline credit cards due to its high rewards rate on Southwest purchases.
However, its benefits are primarily tied to Southwest Airlines, making it less versatile than general travel cards that allow points to be used across multiple airlines or travel services.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
For a $95 annual fee, travelers should consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates and Fees) if they want to earn rewards on a wider variety of travel expenses as well as on regular spending like dining and online grocery purchases (excluding purchases from Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs).
These rewards rates may be significantly more valuable for many than the Southwest Priority Credit Card's rewards. The Sapphire Preferred's flexible points can even be exchanged for cash back at a 1 cent per point rate, or you can get even more value by transferring points to any of Chase's numerous airline and hotel partners, including Southwest.
However, if you're looking for airline-specific perks, the Priority Credit Card may be preferable because it offers loyalty benefits that a more general travel card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, does not.
Who Should Get the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card?
Those who travel frequently with Southwest Airlines will benefit the most from carrying the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. Indeed, for devoted Southwest loyalists, the card's benefits, such as the anniversary bonus points and accelerated rewards earnings on purchases from Southwest, can add up to significant savings.
Ready to apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card? Start here.
On the other hand, the card may not be a good fit for those who don't often fly with Southwest Airlines. The card's rewards system is centered on purchases with Southwest, and its perks are geared toward frequent Southwest flyers. If you don't regularly use this airline or if you prefer more flexibility with your rewards redemption, you may want to consider a more general travel or cash-back credit card.
Ariana Arghandewal
Ariana Arghandewal is a rewards travel expert and founder of Pointchaser, an online publication dedicated to rewards travel topics. She brings over a decade of experience writing about travel, points, miles and credit cards. Her expertise includes her roles as an editor for distinguished travel and finance publications such as NerdWallet, The Points Guy and FlyerTalk. She has also authored many articles featured in major financial news & travel channels like Forbes, U.S. News Weekly, Business Insider & Fodor’s Travel.
