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Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards of May 2024

Take a look at our top picks, then let us walk you through making the decision.

ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2024 || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards || Best travel credit cards

Southwest Airlines offers an array of branded credit cards, the same as the other major U.S. airlines. But because Southwest operates differently from other carriers, its cards are different, too. Most notably:

Southwest doesn't charge most flyers for checked bags, so a Southwest card isn't going to save you money on bag fees. You don't get priority boarding on every flight, either.

Southwest doesn't operate a network of airport lounges, so there is no high-end card with lounge privileges.

Southwest does not offer a no-annual-fee credit card.

Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travel, followed by a guide to choosing the right Southwest Airlines credit card for you.

250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts

80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

100+ categories of best credit card selections ( See our top picks )

Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics ( Methodology )

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity .

Show summary

NerdWallet's Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards of May 2024

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Best for Frequent Southwest flyers

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Best for Occasional Southwest flyers

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card : Best for Business travelers

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for Point transfers and flexibility

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Frequent Southwest flyers

Occasional southwest flyers, business travelers, point transfers and flexibility, full list of editorial picks: best southwest airlines credit cards.

Before applying, confirm details on issuer's website

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Our pick for: Frequent Southwest flyers

Southwest Airlines' priciest card is also its best. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card doesn't offer richer rewards or a significantly better sign-up bonus than the carrier's lower-fee cards, but it comes with an annual travel credit, a great anniversary bonus and other perks that justify (and offset) its annual fee. Read our review.

3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.

2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.

2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.

2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming.

1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

$75 annual Southwest travel credit.

7,500-point anniversary bonus each year upon renewal.

Credit for 4 upgraded boardings each year (when available).

10,000-point boost each year in Companion Pass qualifying points.

1,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $10,000 spent in purchases annually.

25% back on in-flight purchases.

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Our pick for: Occasional Southwest flyers

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is the lowest-fee card in the Southwest portfolio, but it's not that big of a step down from the more expensive options. Key differences: a lower rewards rate on Southwest purchases and a smaller anniversary bonus. Read our review.

2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.

3,000 point anniverary bonus each year upon renewal.

2 EarlyBird check-ins each year.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Our pick for: Regular Southwest flyers

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a decent middle ground among the airline's consumer credit cards. You get elevated earnings on Southwest purchases and a bigger anniversary bonus compared with the Plus card, but it lacks the perks (and the higher cost) of the Priority card. Read our review.

6,000-point anniversary bonus each year upon renewal.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our pick for: Point transfers and flexibility

For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review. 

5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase.

5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025).

3 points per dollar on dining.

3 points per dollar on select streaming services.

3 points per dollar on online grocery orders (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through Chase.

1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Redeem points for travel booked through Chase at a value of 1.25 cents apiece.

Transfer points to Southwest or a dozen other airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio.

$50 in statement credit every anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase. (Note: You won't receive rewards points for the $50 in spending that gets reimbursed via this credit.)

10% annual points bonus: Each anniversary, earn points equal to 10% of your spending in the past year. Spend $10,000, for example, get 1,000 bonus points.

Trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance.

Primary rental car insurance.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Our pick for: Business travelers

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is the closest thing this airline has to a premium card. Benefits and perks like 4x points on Southwest purchases, upgraded boardings and a credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry can return solid value to business operators who frequently fly the airline. Read our review.

4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.

3 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.

2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising.

2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services.

9,000-point anniversary bonus each year upon renewal.

Credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus.

Up to 365 credits per year ($8 per credit) for in-flight Wifi service on Southwest.

Up to $500 a year in statement credit toward fees incurred when transferring Rapid Rewards points to another member.

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CREDIT CARD FOR YOU

Choosing a Southwest Airlines credit card can be tricky because differences between the three consumer cards may seem subtle at first glance. But you receive progressively more value from the cards with higher annual fees.

The trio of cards share a primary perk: free frequent-flyer points posted to your account annually. So the decision comes down to the extra value you get for the $149 annual fee of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card compared with the $69 you'll pay for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card — and then whether it's worth paying $149 to step up to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card .

The basics at a glance

» MORE: Benefits of Southwest Airlines credit cards

What differentiates these cards?

The annual fees aren't exorbitant for any of these three cards when compared with some premium travel cards , but you’ll have to decide whether the higher fee is worth it for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card . There isn't a no-fee version of this card.

Anniversary points

This is a primary difference in benefits. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card gives you twice as many loyalty points annually on your account anniversary date as does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : 6,000 Rapid Rewards points, as opposed to 3,000. Considering the value of a Rapid Rewards point, the extra anniversary points can make up for the difference in annual fees between those two cards.

Anniversary points grow to 7,500 with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card . While that's not enough value on its own to offset the card's annual fee, it's also not the only lucrative benefit you get with it, either.

NerdWallet values Southwest points at 1.5 cents each. This is a baseline value, drawn from real-world data on hundreds of economy routes, not a maximized value. In other words, you should aim for award redemptions that offer 1.5 cents or more in value from your Southwest points.

All Southwest cards used to earn the same 2X rewards on Southwest purchases, but as of Oct. 19, 2021 the cards' rewards were refreshed . The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card now earn 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases.

Foreign transaction fee

If you’ll be using your credit card abroad, you’ll want one that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee , like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card . The 3% fee can add up on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card .

» Learn more: How to Refer-a-Friend and get more Southwest points

Tier qualifying points

The short story here is that it's a minor benefit unless you're a huge spender. For most, it shouldn't sway the decision.

The two pricier cards allow you to earn tier qualifying points which count toward A-List and A-List Preferred elite status . Its benefits include priority boarding and bonus rewards points for each flight. The cheapest card earns no points toward elite status.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card earns 1,500 “tier qualifying points” (TQPs) for each $10,000 in purchases, up to $100,000 annually. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card also earns 1,500 TQPs per $10,000 spent, but offers the ability to earn an unlimited amount of TQPs. That means that heavy spenders can charge their way all the way to A-List status if they choose.

Overall, qualifying points earned by the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card don’t move the needle much. An extra 1,500 qualifying points for spending $10,000 would account for only about 4% of your 35,000-point requirement for the lowest elite level. And tier qualifying points won’t help toward securing a highly coveted Companion Pass , because those passes are earned via Rapid Rewards points (or very occasionally via the sign-up bonus.) So consider the extra tier qualifying points as a modest boost to ones you earn with your regular flying on Southwest.

» READ : Southwest Airlines sweet spots

Priority benefits

There are reasons to be tempted by the priciest card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card . It includes day-of-flying perks that the other cards don't, such as:

A $75 Southwest annual travel credit, which can be used toward Southwest purchases such as flights, pet carrier fees and other day-of-travel purchases.

Up to four upgraded boardings per year, based on availability.

» MORE: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program: The complete guide

What's the same on all the cards?

Sign-up bonuses.

Bonuses for new cardmembers can change often, but if pricier cards get you a bigger head start toward earning free flights or a Companion Pass, that's something to consider.

Besides the differences above, all three cards earn the same spending rewards and charge the same APR.

Typically, one of the biggest perks of a co-branded airline credit card is free checked bags , which can quickly justify the annual fee. However, that is not a factor with these cards because Southwest does not charge for the first two checked bags, making it the only big U.S. carrier without a bag fee. So these Southwest Airlines credit cards play no role in free checked bags.

Other choices

An airline card is not your only choice. General travel credit cards offer rewards that can be used on various travel spending, not just a single airline. Redeeming rewards for credit against a Southwest Airlines purchase or other travel spending essentially "erases" it from your balance. That makes these cards a good choice for people who spread their business around.

Or consider a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It earns points that can be transferred to Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program at a 1:1 ratio. It has an annual fee of $95 , and it comes with an outstanding sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

» MORE: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

What’s more, a NerdWallet study shows most people would be better off with a cash-back card , rather than a travel card of any flavor.

Making the decision

If you don’t care about earning elite status on Southwest, won’t use the card abroad and can’t stomach higher annual fees, go with the cheapest card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card .

A good middle choice is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card . Its higher annual fee is equalized by the extra anniversary points it offers, assuming you use the points toward a flight. It eliminates foreign transaction fees and offers minor progress toward elite status on the airline.

Avid Southwest flyers who appreciate perks on the day they fly should consider the pricier — but potentially most lucrative — Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card . It lacks some of the luxury benefits you'll find some premium travel credit cards, but it still packs enough value to offset its annual fee.

Not sure if an airline card makes the most sense for you? See NerdWallet's best credit cards list here.

» MORE: How to make the most of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

NerdWallet's Gregory Karp contributed to this article.

Last updated on May 1 , 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

Unlike the other big U.S. airlines, Southwest does not offer a credit card with no annual fee. The least expensive card in the carrier's lineup is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card , which has an annual fee of $69 .

Southwest Airlines credit cards require good to excellent credit to qualify. Generally speaking, that equates to a credit score of 690 or better. However, credit scores aren't the only thing that credit card issuers look at when evaluating applications. They may also take into account your employment status and income, your other debts and how many credit cards you've been approved for recently.

Among the perks offered by Southwest Airlines credit cards:

You receive an anniversary bonus each year when you renew. Depending on the card, that bonus can range from 3,000 to 9,000 points.

Each card also gives you a 10,000-point head start each year toward earning a Southwest Companion Pass . (Usually you have to earn 135,000 points in a year to get the pass; carrying a Southwest card effectively reduces that requirement to 125,000.)

Some of the higher-priced cards allow you to earn credit toward "A-List" elite status with the airline by hitting certain spending thresholds.

All cards give you 25% off in-flight food and beverage purchases.

Because of the way Southwest operates, the airline's credit cards don't include some of the perks that come standard with many cards from competing carriers. For example:

Most cards from American, Delta and United allow you (and one or more people traveling with you) to check a bag for free. But Southwest doesn't charge for most checked bags, so there's no baggage benefit to being a cardholder.

Competing airline credit cards usually give you priority boarding on each flight. Under Southwest's somewhat complicated boarding process, it usually costs extra to jump the line. Southwest cards offer credit toward those expenses, but only a few times a year — and you're still not guaranteed to get a better boarding position.

Southwest doesn't operate airport lounges, so a Southwest card won't provide lounge access.

The Southwest Companion Pass is essentially a buy-one, get-one-free perk. When you book a flight, you can take someone with you for just the cost of taxes and fees (starting at $5.60). To get the Companion Pass, you have to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. Once you earn it, it's good for the rest of the year and the next calendar year.

The Companion Pass is not a standard perk on any of Southwest's credit cards. From time to time, however, the airline has included a short-term version of the pass in the bonus offers on its credit cards. In early 2023, for example, new cardholders who spent $4,000 in their first three months not only got a 30,000 point bonus, but also earned a Companion Pass that would be valid through February 2024. (This offer expired in March 2023.) Similar offers were made for short periods in both 2022 and 2021.

Carrying a Southwest credit card can get you closer to a Companion Pass, though. Points earned on the card count toward the 135,000 needed for the pass, and that includes the sign-up bonus. Additionally, each year, cardholders get a 10,000-point bonus toward qualifying for the pass. (Those 10,000 points can't be used to book flights, but they effectively reduce the threshold for earning the pass to 125,000 points.)

About the author

Craig Joseph

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Find the best credit card for you

The best credit cards for southwest flyers, whether you're a casual or frequent traveler, here are the best credit cards to use — or transfer points from — if you love flying with southwest..

Information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

With perks that set Southwest Airlines apart from the rest — including the ability to choose your seat during boarding, check two free bags, change or cancel your trip without incurring a fee (although you will have to pay the difference if your new fare is higher) and enjoy flight credits and rewards points that never expire — it's no wonder the carrier is so popular among travelers.

Southwest Airlines currently offers flights to 121 airports throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, making it a great option for families, couples, solo and business travelers looking to get away.

The carrier is also known for its Southwest Companion Pass , which lets you bring a friend or family member along with you on any domestic or international Southwest flight for just the price of taxes and fees (usually just $5.60 per person for a one-way U.S. flight). Qualifying requires racking up at least 125,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards® points in a calendar year (135,000 points starting in 2023), and once you do, it'll be valid for the rest of the year you've earned it as well as the whole following year. And starting in 2023, those with a co-branded Southwest credit card will automatically get 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying points at the beginning of every calendar year.

The easiest way to jump-start your journey to redeeming Rapid Rewards® points for a free flight is to sign up for one of the airline's cobranded credit cards , or — if snagging the Companion Pass is not your main goal — a travel rewards card that lets you accumulate transferable points that can then be moved to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® loyalty program.

Below, CNBC Select details the best credit cards for casual and frequent Southwest flyers — and those who prefer to transfer their points to Southwest Rapid Rewards® from other rewards programs.

Best credit cards for Southwest flyers

• Best for occasional Southwest flyers : Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Best for frequent Southwest flyers : Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• Best for flexible rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for small business owners with a low annual fee : Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
• Best for small business owners : Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• Best for a low annual fee : Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Best for racking up transferable points : Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for small business owners with larger budgets : Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for occasional Southwest flyers

Southwest rapid rewards® premier credit card.

Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable

Balance transfer fee

5%, minimum $5

Foreign transaction fees

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Who's this for? The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is for fans of Southwest who don’t fly often but are still looking to earn points to redeem for free flights when they do. With a modest annual fee of $99 and a welcome offer of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, it's a solid option, points earned with this card count toward qualifying for the Companion Pass.

The card lets you earn 3X points per dollar spent with Southwest; 2X points per dollar spent with its hotel and rental car partners through Rapid Rewards®; 2X points per dollar spent on ride-share services, commuting and transit purchases; 2X points per dollar spent on certain streaming, cable, phone and internet services; and 1X points per dollar spent elsewhere. So, even if you only fly with Southwest a few times a year, you’ll be racking up Rapid Rewards® points in no time.

Celebrate each anniversary with 6,000 points, as well as perks such as no foreign transaction fees, two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, 25% back for in-flight purchases and 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status every time you spend $10,000.

Best for frequent Southwest flyers

Southwest rapid rewards® priority credit card.

Who's this for? If you're a die-hard Southwest frequent flyers who love everything about the airline, appreciate upgrades and are working toward A-List status or the Companion Pass, look no further than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card . New cardholders can currently earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

While there is a hefty $149 annual fee, there are no foreign transaction fees and you’ll have access to benefits such as a $75 Southwest® annual travel credit, four upgraded boardings per year (based on availability), 25% back on in-flight purchases, 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status each time you spend $10,000 and 7,500 points each anniversary.

Like the Southwest Premier Card, the Southwest Priority Card lets you earn 3X points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases; 2X points per dollar spent with partners when you book hotels and car rentals via Rapid Rewards®; 2X points per dollar spent on commuting, ride-sharing services and transit; 2X points per dollar spent on certain phone, internet, cable and streaming services; and 1X points per dollar for all other spending.

Best for flexible rewards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

Who’s this for? If you love traveling and dining and want to rack up Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to Southwest, among other airlines, at a 1:1 ratio, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be a great choice. It is currently offering 60,000 bonus points as a welcome bonus after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. Those points are worth about $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠.

Once approved, you can earn 5X points per dollar for travel booked via Chase Travel℠; 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides now through Mar. 31, 2025; 3X points per dollar for dining, online grocery shopping (except Target®, Walmart® and other wholesale clubs) and using certain streaming services; 2X points per dollar for all other travel spending; and 1X point per dollar for all other purchases.

While the card does come with a modest $95 annual fee, there are no foreign transaction fees. Its considerable list of travel benefits includes collision damage waivers for car rentals, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, a 10% points boost to celebrate each card anniversary and a $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit. You’ll also score special perks with Instacart+, DoorDash, and more.

Point transfers from Ultimate Rewards® to Southwest are usually instant. Just note that transferred points do not count qualify toward earning the Companion Pass. Alternatively, you can redeem your points toward Southwest flights at a value of 1.25 cents per point by calling the Chase Travel Center.

Best for small business owners with a low annual fee

Southwest® rapid rewards® premier business credit card.

Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases; 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners; 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Who's this for? The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is for small business owners seeking benefits similar to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card — and maybe a shot at the Companion Pass — but with a lower annual fee of $99. New cardholders can currently earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

You'll also have access to perks such as two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, 25% back for in-flight purchases, 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status each time they spend $10,000 and a $500 fee credit to cover points transfers per year. There are no foreign transaction fees for using the card abroad and there is no extra fee to add more cards for employees.

This card also rewards you with 6,000 points each year for your anniversary and lets you earn 3X points per dollar spent with Southwest Airlines; 2X points per dollar spent on rental cars and hotels booked through Rapid Rewards® and other travel partners; 2X points per dollar spent on ride-share services, transiting and commuting; and 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Best for small business owners

Southwest® rapid rewards® performance business credit card.

Earn 4X points on Southwest® purchases; 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners; 2X points on rideshare; 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services; 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$199 applied to first billing statement

Member FDIC. Terms apply.

Who's this for? The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is for small business owners looking to rack up Rapid Rewards® points by flying with Southwest, spending with its travel partners and paying for other business-related expenses. It is currently offering a welcome bonus of 80,000 points (which count toward the Companion Pass) after new cardholders spend $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.

There is a $199 annual fee, but it's tax-deductible and the perks make up for it. Once approved, you’ll receive four upgraded boardings per year (based on availability), up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi credits per year, $500 worth of fee credits to cover points transfers annually and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit . Cardmembers can also add extra cards for their employees for free, have no foreign transaction fees and score 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status whenever they spend $10,000.

In addition to picking up 9,000 points each year on your card anniversary, you can earn 4X points per dollar spent with Southwest Airlines; 3X points per dollar spent on hotel stays and car rentals booked via Rapid Rewards®; 2X points per dollar spent on advertising through search engines and social media, and for cable, phone and internet services; 2X points per dollar spent on transit, ride-sharing services and commuting; and 1X points per dollar spent for all other spend.

Best for a low annual fee

Southwest rapid rewards® plus credit card.

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable and phone services; select streaming. 1X points on all other purchases

Who's this for? The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is perfect for travelers who love flying with Southwest but are looking for a low-annual-fee card to help them earn more Rapid Rewards® points. The carrier does not currently have a no-annual-fee card, so this one, with a reasonable $69 annual fee, is your best bet.

New cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

In addition to the 3,000 points you’ll get for each anniversary, you’ll earn 2X points per dollar spent with Southwest, as well as for any hotels or rental cars booked with partners via Rapid Rewards® and 1X points per dollar spent on other purchases. The card also gives you 2X points per dollar spent on ride-share services, commuting, and local transit, and 2X points per dollar spent on certain streaming, cable, phone and internet services. Additional perks include two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year and the ability to earn 25% back on in-flight purchases made with the card.

Best for racking up transferable points

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

Who's this for? Anyone who wants to take advantage of a particularly lucrative welcome bonus and unlock luxury travel benefits should consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account membership, which translates to about $900 in rewards when you book travel through the Chase Travel℠. You could transfer these points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio, or over a dozen other travel partners, such as World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus.

The card lets you earn 5X points per dollar on flights and 10X points on hotels and rental cars when they’re booked through Chase Travel℠ (after your first $300 in travel-related purchases), making it an ideal pick for frequent travelers. You’ll also earn 10X points per dollar through Chase Dining, 5X points on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025, 3X points per dollar for all other travel and dining purchases including takeout and delivery and 1X point per dollar for any other spending.

There is a high $550 annual fee, but in turn, cardholders receive a $300 annual travel credit; a suite of travel and purchase protections; a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit ; Priority Pass airport lounge access ; extra benefits when you book a rental car with Avis, National Car Rental or Silvercar; VIP access to events and experiences; and special perks such as free daily breakfast, late checkout and room upgrades when you book a stay through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.

Best for small business owners with larger budgets

Ink business preferred® credit card.

Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each account anniversary year (travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines), 1X point per $1 on all other purchases

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

21.24% - 26.24% variable

Good/Excellent

Read our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card review.

Who's this for? Small business owners who tend to spend more and are looking for a card with transferable rewards points, which can be used for flights with airline partners such as Southwest. The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel SM . 

With a modest annual fee of $95, you’ll be able to earn 3X points per dollar on your first $150,000 worth of spending in business categories such as travel; shipping; cable, phone and internet services; and advertising expenses — then an unlimited 1X points per dollar for all other purchases.

Redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel SM or by transferring them to Chase’s travel partners, including Southwest Airlines. The card also offers fraud and purchase protections and additional employee cards to help you stay on top of all your business needs.

Transferring Chase points to Southwest Rapid Rewards

The following Chase credit cards earn Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® loyalty program at a 1:1 ratio:

• Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

If you have one of the cards above, you can also convert the cash back you earn with the following cards to transferable Ultimate Rewards® points:

• Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Chase Freedom® ( closed to new applicants )
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

There’s also a more roundabout process you could go through to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for Southwest flights through Chase. While this can’t be done directly through the Chase travel portal, you can call the Chase Travel Center at (855) 233-9462 and redeem your points at a fixed rate of 1 to 1.5 cents per point, depending on what card you have.

While it wouldn't provide the best value, you could also transfer points to Southwest Rapid Rewards® from Marriott Bonvoy® at a 3:1 ratio — or from American Express Membership Rewards® points to Marriott Bonvoy® at a 1:1 ratio and then to Southwest at that same 3:1 ratio.

Things to consider before applying for a Southwest credit card

Be aware that the Southwest credit cards are issued by Chase so you'll have to adhere to  its notorious 5/24 rule , which could cause you to be denied any new Chase cards if you've already applied for five credit cards within the last 24 months. You also may be disqualified from receiving a Southwest cobranded credit card if you already have one or have received a new cardmember bonus within the past 24 months. The one exception to this is if you have a personal Southwest card and are applying for a business card, and vice versa.

Earning the Southwest Companion Pass

Starting in 2023, you'll need to earn 135,000 qualifying points to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. If you're not a frequent Southwest flyer, it's still possible to earn enough points to get the Companion Pass. Remember that these activities all earn qualifying points:

• Points from Southwest credit card welcome bonuses, including both personal and business cards
• Points earned from regular spending on Southwest credit cards
• 10,000 automatic qualifying points for Southwest co-brand credit card holders (starting in 2023)

For more details and ways to earn qualifying points, check out our guide to earning the Southwest Companion Pass .

Bottom line

There's a travel rewards credit card for every type of consumer, whether or not you consider yourself to be a frequent flyer with Southwest. The co-branded Southwest cards offer useful perks for loyal flyers, but if you don't want to fully commit to the airline, consider a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points as you'll have greater flexibility in redeeming your rewards.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best Southwest Airlines credit cards.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

Information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

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Best Southwest Credit Cards of May 2024

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Best feature: Annual anniversary bonus.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Best feature: Valuable perks and benefits.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card : Best feature: Premium perks for frequent Southwest flyers.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card : Best feature: Sign-up bonus with anniversary points.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card : Best feature: Big sign-up bonus with annual anniversary points.

If you’re a frequent flyer on Southwest Airlines, you might be wondering whether it’s worth opening one of the airline's rewards credit cards. Southwest offers five Rapid Rewards credit card options that are issued by Chase and cater to different types of travelers. Here’s a closer look at the Southwest credit cards available.

U.S. News' Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards of May 2024

See all of our credit cards here .

On This Page

• Best Southwest Credit Cards
• How Southwest Credit Cards Work

How Does a Southwest Airlines Credit Card Work?

A Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card earns points on your spending, which you can redeem in a variety of ways. Southwest cards also come with other perks designed for travelers on this airline.

Cardholders earn points according to how much they spend. Spending directly with Southwest earns between two and four points per dollar, depending on your card. You can also earn points when you spend with certain hotel and rental car partners, cover commuting expenses with your card, and spend in other rewards categories. Your points will be transferred to Southwest Airlines after each billing period, and Rapid Rewards points never expire.

There are several options for redeeming points. First, you can use your points to book flights with Southwest. The destination, time and date of travel, demand and fare class are among the factors that can determine how many points you need for a flight.

You can also use your points to purchase gift cards, merchandise, hotels and travel through Southwest's More Rewards program. Southwest cardmembers get access to exclusive offers that other loyalty program members do not.

Who Should Get a Southwest Card?

There are certain types of consumers who would benefit from a Southwest card. A card might be a good choice for you if:

• Southwest is your preferred airline. These cards are designed to offer savings and perks to Southwest customers. If you typically fly on Southwest, opening a Rapid Rewards card could be beneficial.
• You travel often. In order to take full advantage of the benefits of a Rapid Rewards card, it helps to be a frequent traveler. If you only fly once or twice a year, you might not be able to take advantage of perks such as Early Bird Check-Ins or upgraded boarding. 
• You spend on credit. These credit cards, like any rewards credit cards, are best for people who are comfortable regularly spending on credit rather than debit or cash. If you don’t spend enough on your card, you won’t earn enough points to make the annual fee worth it. Plus, you may not qualify for the new cardmember bonus, another major perk.

How to Pick the Best Southwest Credit Card

There are three consumer credit cards and two business credit card options. Choosing the right Southwest credit card comes down to matching your spending habits to the value offered by various cards. When picking a card, consider the following:

• Do you spend enough to earn the sign-up bonus?
• Will you earn enough points to outweigh the annual fee?
• Are you aiming to earn A-list status and/or the Companion Pass from Southwest?
• Are perks such as early and priority boarding important to you?
• Do you spend a lot in the categories that earn higher rewards, such as eligible rental cars, hotels and streaming services?
• Do you travel often for business?

Best Southwest Credit Cards Methodology

U.S. News has helped consumers make money decisions for decades. When we rate airline cards, we factor in overall issuer satisfaction, APR, cardholder benefits, and each card’s annual fee, foreign transaction fee and balance transfer fee. We also consider several factors related to rewards: ease and flexibility of redemption, airline rewards earning rate, rewards redemption value and sign-up bonus value. Satisfaction data is based on an annual nationwide survey.

What is the Minimum Credit Score to Qualify for a Southwest Airlines Credit Card?

You should have good to excellent credit to qualify for a Southwest credit card. You have good credit with a score of at least 670, according to myFICO.com. Generally, the higher your credit score, the better your approval odds.

Is a Southwest Credit Card Worth it?

Whether or not a Southwest credit card is worth it will depend in part on your spending habits compared to the annual fee. If you spend enough to earn and redeem rewards that have a greater value than the annual fee, it’s likely worth it. However, keep in mind that if you carry a balance month-to-month, interest charges can easily outweigh any rewards. So be sure to pay off your balance in full each month.

What Banks Issue Southwest Credit Cards?

All Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards are issued by Chase Bank. They are part of the Visa network.

How Much are Southwest Airlines Credit Card Points Worth?

Reward pricing and redemption values depend on a variety of factors and are subject to change. Points redeemed for flights reserved further in the future are worth more. Points are typically worth between 1.3 and 1.6 cents.

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

Casey Bond , Contributor

Casey Bond is a personal finance reporter and editor who has contributed to U.S. News since 2013. A Los Angeles native, Casey graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in English. She is also a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. Read more

Melanie Pincus , Editor

Melanie Pincus is an editor on the Credit Cards, Loans and Banking team at U.S. News & World Report, and she writes and edits credit cards and loans content. She is a graduate of Brown University and a former intern with U.S. News. Read more

Mark Evitt , Senior Editor

Mark Evitt is a senior editor on the Credit Cards, Loans and Banking team at U.S. News, specializing in lending and banking content. He received his bachelor's in psychology from Tufts University and his master's in online journalism from the University of Southern California. Read more

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The 5 best Southwest Airlines credit cards: Unlimited tier qualifying points

If you're a frequent Southwest Airlines flier, a Southwest Airlines credit card may be for you. You can earn points on everyday purchases, which are multiplied when you spend money on Southwest, transit and commuting, and certain utilities. Each card has its own set of additional benefits that could be valuable, depending on your travel preferences. Southwest Airlines also has business credit cards, so business owners can reap the benefits of their preferred airline on business purchases.

Here are the best credit cards available today :

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Best southwest airlines credit card overall.

• 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.
• Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

Of all Southwest Airlines credit cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card offers the most benefits for air travelers, though it has a $149 annual fee. You save 25% on inflight purchases, are eligible for four annual upgraded boardings if available, and receive $75 in Southwest travel credits per year. With this card, points earned can help you gain A-list status, which gives priority boarding and check-in and same-day standby status.

The Priority credit card gives you multiple ways to amplify your purchases and gain points faster. All purchases earn at least 1 point per dollar spent. Hotel and car rental partners; local transit and commuting; and streaming, internet, cable, and phone bills earn 2 points. All Southwest purchases earn 3 points per dollar spent. Every year on your Cardmember anniversary, you'll also receive 7,500 points.

• 7,500 anniversary points annually
• No foreign transaction fee
• $75 annual Southwest credit
• Earn points to get A-list faster
• Earn 3 points for every dollar spent on Southwest 
• High annual fee
• No intro APR
• No additional intro bonus points
• Requires good or excellent credit for approval

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Best value for non-frequent fliers.

If you don't fly often but still prefer Southwest Airlines, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card may be a good fit. With a $99 annual fee, it comes with the same intro bonus as the Priority credit card. You'll also earn the same rewards points in multiple categories and have no foreign transaction fees. 

The Premier credit card earns 6,000 points annually on your Cardmember anniversary and is eligible for unlimited tier qualifying points to reach A-list status. Purchases made inflight get 25% cashback and Premier credit cardholders get two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year. 

• Earn the same bonus points as the Priority card
• Earn 3 points on Southwest purchases
• 6,000 annual anniversary points
• Unlimited TPQs
• $99 annual fee
• No Southwest travel credit
• Not eligible for Upgraded Boardings

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Best for domestic air travelers.

• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.

If you prefer domestic air travel to foreign air travel, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card may be a better fit. This card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, which can add up when you fly internationally. However, it has the lowest annual fee of the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards at $69 per year. This card also has the same intro bonus and category multipliers, but only earns 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.

Each year, cardholders receive 3,000 anniversary points in their Rapid Rewards account. The Plus card is not eligible for tier qualifying points, so you may not get to A-list status as fast as you would with the Premier or Priority credit cards. But you'll still earn 25% cashback when making inflight purchases and get two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year the card remains active.

• Earn 60,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
• Low annual fee
• Multiply points in several categories
• 3,000 anniversary points per year
• Travel and purchase protection benefits
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Blackout dates on reward travel
• Not eligible for TPQs
• No higher points tier for Southwest purchases

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Best for established businesses.

• 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.
• 1X points on all other purchases.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card allows established business owners the chance to turn everyday business purchases into free travel or other rewards. You earn 1 point per dollar for all purchases and 2 points per dollar for cable, internet, and phone bills, as well as social media and search engine advertising. Every dollar spent on local transit and commuting, plus ridesharing, earns 2 points. Southwest Airlines purchases earn the most points for this card at 4 points per dollar spent.

This card comes with the highest annual fee of $199, but you can earn 80,000 points when you spend at least $5,000 in the first three months after opening the card. There are other benefits to this business credit card, including a $500 fee credit when you transfer points to an existing Rapid Rewards member, up to 365 annual credits for inflight Wi-Fi, four upgraded boardings if available on your flight, and a credit up to $100 on your application fee every four years when applying for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS. 

Points can be redeemed for travel and other options, like gift cards and shopping in the Rapid Rewards portal, and there are no blackout dates when redeeming for travel.

• No foreign transaction fees 
• Earn 80,000 points for intro bonus
• Multiple points per dollar in several categories
• Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• No blackout dates when redeeming travel points
• Earn 9,000 annual anniversary points
• High initial spend for intro bonus
• 5% balance transfer fee

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Best for new business owners.

• Earn 3X pts on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X pts on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 2X pts on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 1X pts on all other purchases.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card is an option for new business owners who can't meet the higher initial spending requirements of the Performance card. After spending $3,000 in the first three months, you can earn 60,000 bonus points. The Premier Business card comes with a $99 annual fee, which may also be more affordable newer businesses.

The Premier Business card earns the same rewards points per category, except Southwest Airlines purchases earn 3 points per dollar spent. With this card, you can get 25% cashback when making purchases inflight and get up to $500 in statement credits when you transfer points to an existing Rapid Rewards member. You would also be eligible for two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year and receive 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 spent on the card. When you reach 35,000 TPQs, you can get A-list status, and earning 70,000 TPQs makes you eligible for A-list Preferred status.

• Earn 60,000 intro bonus points
• Lower annual fee than Performance Business card
• Earn tier qualifying points towards A-list status
• Up to $500 statement credit for points transfer
• Earn 6,000 annual anniversary points
• Good or excellent credit for approval
• No application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Points not multiplied for social media and search engine advertising
• No inflight Wi-Fi credits

What is the best Southwest Airlines credit card?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card is ZDNet's top pick because it offers an annual travel credit, upgraded boardings, and unlimited tier qualifying points on everyday spending.

Which card is the right credit card for you?

To find the right credit card for you, consider what you want the card to do for you. For instance, if you want to travel cheaply, a rewards card that earns points towards flights, hotels, and rental cars may be a good choice. If you prefer a specific airline or hotel, getting a branded credit card, like a Southwest Rapid Rewards card, may offer better rewards than a general card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

When choosing a credit card, you should evaluate the details before applying. Consider the annual fee, APR, bonus earning requirements, and other benefits to find the card that best fits your needs. If you want a Southwest card with a low annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is your best choice. But if you want to reap the most rewards and don't qualify for a business card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card may be a better choice.

You can also check your credit score and history to determine what credit card you are most likely to be approved for. The better your credit score, the more credit card options you'll have. But you can still get approved for a credit card if you have poor credit or are rebuilding your credit . 

Is a Southwest Airlines credit card a good option?

A Southwest Airlines credit card is a good option if you like to travel by airplane and prefer Southwest Airlines. With a Southwest card, you can earn points on everyday purchases to get free flights and other rewards. A Southwest card can also provide purchase and travel protection, like auto rental collision damage waivers, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and extended warranty protection. 

What is the highest bonus for a Southwest Airlines credit card?

The highest bonus for a Southwest Airlines credit card right now is on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business credit card. If you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months on purchases, you'll earn 80,000 points. For non-business owners, each of the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards earns 60,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of opening the card.

How many Southwest points do you need to earn A-List status?

With a Southwest Rapid Rewards card, 35,000 qualifying points ( see details ) will make you an A-List Member. This grants you reserved check-in, a 25% earning bonus on all qualifying Southwest flights, and more .

To become an A-List Preferred Member, you need 70,000 qualifying points ( see details ). Additional benefits include inflight Wi-Fi on equipped planes, a 100% earning bonus on all qualifying Southwest flights, and more .

Is it hard to get approved for a Chase Southwest Airlines credit card?

A Chase Southwest Airlines credit card is not hard to get if you have good or excellent credit. The higher your credit score, the better your chances are of getting approved for a Chase Southwest card. To increase your chances of getting a card, make sure to pay all your bills on time, keep your debt-to-income ratio low, and avoid applying for too many cards in a short time period.

How did we choose these credit cards?

To find the best Southwest Airlines credit cards, we compared several features:

• APR: The APR is the annual percentage rate, or the amount of interest you will pay on purchases. This amount varies by card and your credit history and score. Some credit cards will offer a low or 0% introductory APR for a certain length of time when you are approved for a card.
• Benefits and rewards: The benefits and rewards you can earn (or are already included) with a credit card vary widely by issuer and card type. Some cards earn cash back, while others earn points you can use towards travel, gas, groceries, and other purchases. 
• Fees: Credit card companies will often charge fees as a condition of using the card for purchases. The most common credit card fees are an annual fee, billed yearly to your account as long as it remains active, and a foreign transaction fee, which is a percentage of the cost of a purchase made in a foreign country. Fee schedules vary by card and company, so be sure to review them before choosing a credit card.
• Introductory bonus: An introductory bonus is an incentive or group of incentives a card issuer offers when you're approved for the card. Southwest Airlines credit cards offer bonus points if you spend a certain amount within a few months of opening the card.

Are there alternative credit cards worth considering?

These credit cards for travel are also good options:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Card : This card earns you 2 miles on every purchase and 5 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. It comes with a 75,000 introductory bonus when you spend at least $4,000 in the first three months of card opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred : This card is a great choice for travelers who don't have a preference in airline, hotel, or rental car company. It comes with a $95 annual fee, and you can earn 5 points for every dollar spent on travel.

Credit Cards

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Best Southwest Airlines credit cards of 2024

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Southwest Airlines is a top choice among budget-conscious travelers, and we’re here to help you pick the best Southwest credit card for your lifestyle and flying habits. 

The airline's unique blend of affordable pricing, straightforward rewards and a generous baggage policy makes it a hit among individuals, families, and business travelers. With more than 4,000 daily flights to 121 airports across 11 countries, there's a reasonable chance Southwest Airlines flies to your favorite destinations. 

There are three co-branded personal Southwest credit cards and two Southwest business credit cards, all issued by Chase. The bank also offers general travel rewards cards that earn flexible rewards you can transfer at a 1:1 rate to Southwest Rapid Rewards®.

Best Southwest Airlines credit cards

• Best overall: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Learn more
• Best for occasional Southwest flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Learn more
• Best for a low annual fee: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Learn more
• Best for flexible travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card | Learn more

Best overall: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card charges the highest annual fee among personal Southwest cards, but it also offers the best (and most valuable) benefits with the airline to more than offset the yearly cost for Southwest loyalists. 

Why we like this card: If you frequently fly on Southwest Airlines, there's no better card than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card to earn rewards and access benefits with the airline. 

At first glance, the Southwest Priority earns the same bonus rates as the mid-tier Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. But it's the Priority card's benefits that set it apart from other Southwest cards. 

Cardholders receive a $75 Southwest® annual travel credit each year good towards eligible Southwest Airlines purchases using their card. 

Because of Southwest's open seating policy, many travelers choose to purchase upgraded boarding, allowing them to board in positions A1-A15. The Premier card reimburses cardholders for the purchase of up to four upgraded boardings per anniversary year. Also, you'll receive 7,500 anniversary points each year. 

Other airline-specific perks include 25% back on in-flight purchases and a boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually (earning the Southwest Companion Pass requires 100 qualifying one-way flights or 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year).  

That said, while there’s a lot to love about the Southwest Priority card, it comes with just a couple travel protections—lost luggage reimbursement and baggage delay insurance—a less robust list than one might expect from a card with a $149 annual fee. 

Check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card .

Best for occasional Southwest flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

For casual travelers who fly Southwest up to a few times annually, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers moderate Southwest perks and high earning power with a reasonable $99 annual fee.

Why we like this card: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card earns the same bonus rates as Southwest Priority but with a lower annual fee, which is easily covered through its benefits. It's a great option if Southwest is just one of the airlines you enjoy flying or you only book a few flights per year.

Cardholders receive 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year, which automatically check you in for flights before the airline's 24-hour check-in period for an earlier boarding position. Also, every card anniversary, Southwest drops 6,000 points in your Rapid Rewards account. 

And, for every $5,000 you spend using your Priority card, you'll earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status (A-List status requires 20 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.) This status includes perks such as priority boarding, a dedicated lane at the Southwest check-in counter and a special A-List customer service phone line.

You also enjoy 25% back on in-flight purchases and a boost of 10,000 Companion Qualifying points per year. 

Check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card .

Best for a low annual fee: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers entry-level airline perks and rewards with a $69 annual fee, the lowest among all Southwest credit cards.

Why we like this card: If you enjoy flying Southwest but don't want to pay an expensive annual fee, like those charged for Chase's higher tier Southwest cards, consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. 

The Southwest Plus offers a lower rewards rate on Southwest purchases and fewer benefits than the other personal Southwest credit cards, but there's still enough value to offset the smaller annual fee and warrant a look. As a cardholder, you receive 3,000 anniversary points each year. It still comes with 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year, 25% back on in-flight purchases and a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost annually. 

However, if you travel internationally, beware this card’s 3% (of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars) foreign transaction fee—a particularly unfortunate fee for an airline card to levy.

Check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card . 

Best for flexible travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card earns flexible rewards good toward travel bookings through the issuer’s portal, cash back, and other redemptions—including transfers to Southwest Airlines and other airline and hotel partners.

Why we like this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a frequent flyer on "Best Of" lists and for good reason. While it's not the most luxurious travel rewards card, it offers an incredibly valuable blend of flexible rewards, card benefits and travel protections, all for a  $95 annual fee. 

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you gain entry into Chase Ultimate Rewards®, the issuer's versatile rewards program. The card earns above-average rates in categories like travel, dining and streaming services. Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, but use your Sapphire Preferred redeem points for travel bookings through Chase Travel and you’ll get 25% more value per point.

Though the Sapphire Preferred doesn't come with any Southwest-specific benefits, you can transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to 14 airline and hotel partner programs, including Southwest Rapid Rewards. 

This card also comes with a more robust list of travel protections than the co-branded Southwest cards do: trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and primary rental car coverage. 

Finally, cardholders can receive up to $50 in statement credits each anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠. 

Check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card .

What is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® program?

Southwest Rapid Rewards is the airline's loyalty program. Through Rapid Rewards, you can earn points on qualifying flights and other select purchases. Rapid Rewards points are redeemable for flights, hotel stays, gift cards, merchandise experiences, events and statement credits to reimburse eligible expenses. 

Rapid Rewards members receive benefits like no blackout dates and unlimited rewards seats. Points earned through the program don’t expire, so you can use them as they’re earned or save them up until the time is right for that big trip you’ve been looking forward to.  

As a member, you can unlock additional airline perks through the program's two elite status tiers, which are A-List and A-List Preferred. Rapid Rewards status comes with benefits like priority boarding, free same-day standby and same-day changes, dedicated A-List member support and access to Priority Lanes and Express Lanes at the airport. 

Southwest Companion Pass

The Southwest Companion Pass is arguably the most coveted companion pass offering available. With the companion pass, you can designate one person to fly with you free of charge when you purchase or redeem rewards for a flight (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees, which start at $5.60 one way).

Timing is everything with the Southwest Companion Pass. Once you earn the pass, it is good for the remainder of the current year plus the next full calendar year. Earning the pass as early in the year as possible gives you the highest potential value. 

Southwest offers a few ways to earn a companion pass. The most challenging path to a companion pass is booking 100 qualifying one-way flights. Another option is to earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. Welcome bonuses count towards this total, making getting a new card and earning the bonus one of the quickest ways to qualify for a companion pass. 

How to choose the best Southwest credit card

Finding the best Southwest card from the range of choices depends largely on your travel and spending habits. If you regularly fly Southwest and want access to the airline's best benefits, one of its top-tier cards makes the most sense. If not, the entry-level Rapid Rewards Plus card is probably a better choice. Southwest personal cards earn points in the same spending categories, though the Plus card has a less generous earning rate than its bigger siblings on Southwest purchases.

Another factor to consider is the card's annual fee. Paying an annual fee isn't a bad thing, especially if you can squeeze considerable value out of the card through rewards and benefits. Annual fees range from $69 to $149 for Southwest Airlines personal cards and $99 to $199 for Southwest Airlines business cards. 

Alternatively, if you like flying Southwest but aren’t exclusively loyal to the airline, a travel card that lets you transfer points to Southwest may be the sweet spot for your travel habits. Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you’re an occasional traveler, or its big brother the Chase Sapphire Reserve® if you’re a frequent traveler in need of extensive perks.  

How to maximize the value of your Southwest credit card

Follow these tips to get the most out of your Southwest Airlines credit card. 

• Use your card for daily spending: Use your card for Southwest and other purchases to earn more Rapid Rewards points. 
• Earn the welcome bonus: The quickest way to boost your Southwest points balance is to plan ahead and ensure you can meet the spending requirement needed to earn your new card's welcome bonus. 
• Qualify for a companion pass: If you frequently travel with the same person, earning the Southwest Companion Pass is a great way to save money on flights. 
• Redeem your points for flights: Rapid Rewards points are redeemable in several ways, but award flights will almost always offer the most value. 
• Use your card benefits: Southwest cards offer incredible value through the card benefits included, but they are only valuable if you use them every year you own the card. For example, making an eligible Southwest purchase (such as a ticket) on your Priority card and triggering the $75 Southwest® annual travel credit each year effectively recoups half your annual fee in one fell swoop.   

Frequently asked questions

Is a southwest credit card worth it.

Having a Southwest credit card is a great option if you regularly fly Southwest and the airline offers flights out of your home airport and to your preferred destinations. Each Southwest card offers enough value to offset its fee, provided you use it to earn rewards and take advantage of card benefits. If you don't fly Southwest, or typically don't fly when you travel, a different airline rewards card or a hotel card may be more useful to you.

Which banks issue Southwest credit cards? 

Chase is the credit card issuer for all Southwest co-branded credit cards. It's also the primary issuer with cards that earn rewards that transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards, thanks to its famous Sapphire family of travel rewards cards. (Points can also be transferred from a Marriott credit card to Southwest Rapid Rewards, and some Marriott cards are Chase-issued while others are by American Express.)

How do you transfer Chase points to Southwest Rapid Rewards? 

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Southwest and other travel partners through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Navigate to the "Transfer to Travel Partners" section within your online account, select Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards from the list of travel partners, enter the number of points you want to transfer in increments of 1,000 and complete the transfer. 

Does my Southwest credit card pay for Global Entry?

Not if you have one of the personal Southwest cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is the only Southwest credit card that offers an application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS. The benefit reimburses cardholders up to $100 every four years for application fees for one of these three trusted traveler programs. 

Can you have multiple Southwest credit cards?

You could technically have all five Southwest co-branded credit cards, but it doesn't necessarily make sense to have that many, especially if you lose out on welcome bonuses. Southwest bonus guidelines for personal cards state that "this product is available to you if you do not have a current Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months." 

You're also subject to Chase's 5/24 rule—an unwritten by widely known rule which essentially boils down to the fact that Chase will reject your application for one of their cards if you have opened five or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. 

Having one personal and one business Southwest card could make sense if you want more than one Southwest card and you operate a small business of some kind.

Does Southwest offer free checked bags?

Yes. Whereas many other airlines will charge you to check a bag, unless you have a co-branded card that specifically offers a free checked bag as a benefit, Southwest offers travelers two free checked bags—provided your bags don’t exceed the weight and size limits.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.  

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

Best credit cards for Southwest Airlines

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If you’re a domestic traveler in the U.S. (or select international destinations) you may already know why Southwest Airlines is popular, with benefits like a generous cancellation and rebooking policies and two free checked bags allowance per person. Plus, it boasts one of the most popular airline loyalty programs available: Southwest Rapid Rewards .

There are several easy ways to earn rewards once you sign up for a free Rapid Rewards loyalty account. Two examples are shopping through its online portal  and signing up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program . You can also earn Southwest points by flying with the airline.

Co-branded credit cards from Southwest and Chase let you earn even more points for each dollar you spend, plus sign-up bonuses and other perks. Here are the best credit cards to use for Southwest Airlines, along with a basic overview of how many points you can earn.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: Best for entry-level travelers

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has the lowest annual fee of all three consumer Southwest rewards card options. For $69 per year, cardholders can earn:

• 2X points on Southwest purchases; Southwest hotel and car rental partners; local transit and commuting (including rideshares); internet, cable and phone; and select streaming services
• 1X points on all other purchases

New cardholders can earn earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

It’s also worth noting that all three Southwest credit cards offer the ability to earn 3X points on purchases with restaurants via the Rapid Rewards Dining program . In order to receive this 3X rate, you must opt into Southwest email communications. Should you opt-out, you’ll only receive 1 point for every $2 spent.

Lastly, with the Rapid Rewards Plus, you’ll earn 3,00 bonus points each cardmember anniversary.

Additional card details :

• 3 percent foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside of the U.S.
• Two complimentary EarlyBird Check-in upgrades per year

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Best mid-tier option

For a $99 annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a middle-of-the-road option from Southwest. You’ll earn the same offer as the Plus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — but its ongoing rewards are a slight step up from what’s offered by the Rapid Rewards Plus:

• 3X points on all Southwest purchases
• 2X points on local transit and commuting (including rideshares); internet, cable and phone services; and select streaming services
• 1X points on everything else

Two additional differences to note: You’ll earn 6,000 bonus points each cardmember anniversary (3,000 more points compared to the Plus), and you won’t have to pay foreign transaction fees.

• 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $10,000 you spend

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Best for Southwest loyalists

As the most premium consumer card in Southwest’s lineup, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers the following ongoing rewards for a $149 annual fee:

• 3X points on Southwest purchases
• 2X points on Southwest Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners; local transit and commuting (including rideshares); internet, cable and phone services; and select streaming services

You’ll also get the same welcome bonus offered by the Plus and Premier cards. Further, you’ll earn 7,500 points each year on your cardmember anniversary (1,500 more points than the Premier and 4,500 more points than the Plus).

• Four upgraded boardings per year
• $75 annual Southwest travel credit
• No foreign transaction fees

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business: Best for luxury business travel

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is one of two business cards offered by Southwest, and it features the highest rewards rates of all Southwest cards. For a $199 annual fee, you’ll earn:

• 4X points on Southwest purchases
• 3X points on participating hotel and rental car partners
• 2X points on local transit; rideshares; commuting; social media and search engine advertising; and cable and phone services

In terms of a welcome bonus, you’ll get 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. Plus, the card offers a 9,000-point cardmember anniversary bonus.

• Up to a $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit
• Up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi credits each year

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business: Best for casual business travel

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card offers toned-down features compared to the Performance Business, but you’ll only owe a $99 annual fee. In terms of rewards, you’ll earn:

• 3X points on Southwest airlines purchases
• 2X points on participating Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners, as well as rideshares

There’s also a chance to earn up to 120,000 bonus points: 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional 60,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 9 months.

Earning tier status with Southwest

If you’re interested in pursuing elite status with Southwest, the Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, Premier Business and Performance Business can give you a leg up (as you may have already noticed). Extra tier qualifying points is not a benefit of the $69 annual fee Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card.

Once you own one of these four airline credit cards, you’ll earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for each $10,000 you spend. These TQPs can be used to earn the following positions:

The bottom line

Whether you’re looking to reach a new tier status with Southwest, earn the Companion Pass or something more, Southwest Airlines offers a bevy of options by which you can earn rewards. However, the right travel credit card for you will depend on the categories you spend the most in, how much you’re willing to pay in annual fees and any additional card perks you’re interested in taking advantage of.

Frequent flyer guide to Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest elite status: How to earn it and the benefits of doing so

Guide to the Southwest Companion Pass

Maximize rewards with Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program

Southwest Rapid Rewards shopping portal guide

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Chase provides co-branded credit cards with Southwest Airlines: some for consumers and others for small businesses. While Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards get a ton of press, there is also some great value to be found in their Southwest Airline credit card offerings.

Let’s take a look at what each of these cards can do for you.

The 5 Best Chase Southwest Credit Cards

• Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Plus Credit Card — Best Entry-level Card for Anniversary Points & EarlyBird Check-In
• Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card — Best Mid-tier Card for Anniversary Points & EarlyBird Check-In
• Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card — Best Top-tier Card for Most Anniversary Points, Travel Credit & Upgraded Boardings
• Southwest ® Rapid Rewards ® Premier Business Credit Card — Best Mid-tier Business Card for Anniversary Points & EarlyBird Check-In
• Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card — Best Top-tier Business Card for Most Anniversary Points, Upgraded Boarding & Statement Credits

Card Summary

If you enjoy crisscrossing the U.S., relaxing in the Caribbean, or having adventures in Central America or Mexico, then earning Southwest Rapid Rewards points might be just what you need.

Each of these cards can help you earn Rapid Rewards points on all of your purchases. You will earn 1x points per dollar spent on everything you spend…with 1 key exception.

If you make a purchase with Southwest Airlines — whether it’s purchasing a flight, something inflight, a Southwest gift card to give to a friend, or a Southwest Vacations package — you will earn 2x points per dollar spent.

A less common way to earn Rapid Rewards points with these cards is a balance transfer. During your first 90 days with one of the Southwest credit cards, you can earn 1x points per dollar on balance transfers up to $15,000.

Now, let’s be clear: you should not carry a balance just to take advantage of this offer. However, if you are already considering a balance transfer, the bonus Rapid Rewards points might be an opportunity for you.

Using one of the Southwest credit cards is also an easy way to prevent your Rapid Rewards points from expiring. Typically, Rapid Rewards points expire after 24 months of earning inactivity. As a cardholder, you merely have to use the card once every 24 months and your points won’t expire at all.

Unlike many co-branded airline credit cards, the Chase Southwest credit cards don’t come with perks like priority boarding and free checked bags. The latter is not a big deal though, since Southwest allows all passengers to check up to 2 bags provided that they meet size and weight restrictions.

Chase Southwest Credit Card Rules

Chase has rules for the personal Southwest credit cards.

You cannot get a second personal Southwest card if either:

• You are a current Southwest consumer credit cardholder; or
• You have earned a new cardmember bonus on a Southwest consumer credit card in the last 24 months

This means the companion pass shortcut is no longer possible by getting two Southwest personal cards.

However, 1 personal card and 1 business card are possible to get at the same time!

Southwest Plus Card (Best Entry-level Card for Anniversary Points & EarlyBird Check-In)

Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Plus Credit Card

This card makes it easy to earn unlimited points and qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass.

If you spend a lot of time in the air, it’s important to get a great deal on your plane tickets.

Southwest Airlines can help you get those deals.

One way to save is by using the Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Plus Credit Card . This card helps you earn points for all your spending, and earning more reward points is always a good thing for a busy traveler!

• 2x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
• 3,000 anniversary points each year on your card renewal
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In certificates per year
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• $69 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards
• 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.
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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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The Southwest Plus card might be considered a “starter card” amongst the 3 co-branded Southwest cards. This card comes with low annual fee — lower than many cards that earn miles or points.

Every year you keep the card, you will receive 3,000 Rapid Rewards points after hitting your account anniversary. These points function almost like a partial rebate of the annual fee.

This card does incur a 3% fee on all foreign transactions, so you’ll want to stick to purchases in the U.S. (If you travel a lot, make sure to use a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees while you’re away!)

Southwest Premier Card (Best Mid-tier Card for Anniversary Points & EarlyBird Check-In)

Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card

Earn Southwest points on every purchase, plus anniversary points, Tier Qualifying Points, and points toward the Companion Pass!

Another week, another flight. Flying weekly can get tiring, but you know that every flight gets you closer to taking some great vacations with your significant other or your favorite travel buddy.

To save money on the flights, you like to use Southwest Airlines.

So why not get the Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card to help you earn extra Rapid Rewards points?

• 3x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2x points per $1 on Internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
• 6,000 anniversary points each year on your card renewal
• Earn Tier Qualifying Points for your spend
• $99 annual fee
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 6,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest ®  purchases.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In ®  each year.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

The Southwest Premier card has a slightly higher annual fee but the added benefit of no foreign transaction fees. This makes the card particularly useful for those trips on Southwest Airlines to the Caribbean and Central America.

This card also comes with 6,000 Rapid Rewards points each year you keep the card, so it’s a 3,000-point bump from bonus provided by the Southwest Plus card.

Additionally, the welcome offer for the Southwest Premier card is often very similar to that of the Southwest Plus card and Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card.

Southwest Priority Card (Best Top-tier Card for Most Anniversary Points, Travel Credit & Upgraded Boardings)

Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card

This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal Southwest card offering from Chase. When you peel back the curtain, it is easy to see why.

Not only does the card offer multiple bonus categories to help you earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points, but it is also loaded with benefits that are sure to offer quite a bit of value to Southwest flyers.

Here is a full overview of the card to help you decide if it is a good fit for your wallet.

• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases
• 2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• 7,500 points each year on your cardmember anniversary
• $75 annual Southwest travel credit
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year
• 1,500 tier qualifying points towards elite status for every $5,000 spent
• Travel and purchase protection
• $149 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable points
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest ® purchases.
• $75 Southwest ® travel credit each year.

The Southwest Priority card is the most premium personal Southwest card offered. It offers multiple bonus categories to help you earn more points, and is also loaded with benefits that are sure to offer quite a bit of value.

Enjoy 7,500 points each year on your cardmember anniversary, as well as a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 4 Upgraded Boardings per year.

Southwest Premier Business Card (Best Mid-tier Business Card for Anniversary Points & EarlyBird Check-In)

Southwest ® Rapid Rewards ® Premier Business Credit Card

Business owners who fly Southwest often can earn extra points for all of their spending, and add employee cards at no additional cost.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Business Credit Card is built for business owners that regularly fly with Southwest and are looking for a card that helps them earn more points while providing benefits such as 25% back on inflight purchases and EarlyBird Check-In certificates.

• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshare, passenger trains, buses, taxis, tolls, and parking lots and garages
• 6,000 anniversary points
• $500 fee credit for points transfers per year
• 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $10,000 spent
• Employee cards at no added cost
• No foreign transaction fees
• Lost luggage insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
• 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.
• Business Credit Cards
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Small business owners don’t need to feel left out either. The Southwest Premier Business card provides very similar benefits and perks as the Southwest Premier Card.

There are no foreign transaction fees, and you receive a bonus of 6,000 Rapid Rewards points every year you keep the card.

Southwest Performance Business Card (Best Top-tier Business Card for Most Anniversary Points, Upgraded Boarding & Statement Credits)

Southwest ® Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card is a phenomenal option for business owners who are Southwest frequent flyers. It helps you earn more points on all of your business expenses, offers upgraded boarding certificates and Wi-Fi credits, and helps you reach higher levels of Southwest elite status. 

• 4x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
• 3x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases
• 2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
• 2x points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services
• 9,000 bonus points each year after your cardmember anniversary
• Up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year
• 4 Upgraded Boarding certificates per year
• Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points towards Southwest status for every $5,000 spent on the card
• Up to a $500 fee credit for points transfers when you use your card to transfer points to another Southwest Rapid Rewards member
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• $199 annual fee
• 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 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.
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Best Chase Business Credit Cards

The Southwest Performance Business card is a premium card for business owners who are Southwest frequent flyers.

You can earn more points on your business expenses and enjoy 4 Upgraded Boarding certificates per year and up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year. You’ll appreciate the 9,000 bonus points each year after your cardmember anniversary and can take advantage of the credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.

Without a doubt, the most popular and useful perk offered by Southwest Airlines is the Companion Pass . To earn the Companion Pass, you must earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points within a calendar year.

Once you have earned the Companion Pass, it kicks in immediately and you retain it through the end of the following year. You are even allowed to change your designated companion 3 times per calendar year. This means 4 different people can be listed as your companion at different times of the year if you choose.

In addition to the points you earn through flying with Southwest Airlines, all of the spending you put on any of the 5 co-branded Southwest credit cards will earn points that count toward the 135,000 you need for the Companion Pass. Plus, cardholders get a 10,000-point boost towards Companion Pass qualification each year (these points are not redeemable).

Earning Southwest credit card welcome offers even counts toward the 135,000 points. This means that getting just 1 of these cards and earning the welcome offer could potentially get you over halfway there! If you get 2 of them, you might even be able to earn the Companion Pass just through welcome offers.

This is a fantastic benefit for anyone who plans to travel regularly with a companion to any of Southwest’s destinations. Being able to book a flight and fly 2-for-1 (just pay taxes and fees on your companion’s ticket) can make taking vacations easy.

Hot Tip:  Check out how you can maximize the Companion Pass for some fun travel including many international destinations.

While this will be more important to those who fly regularly, particularly for business travel, the Southwest Premier card, Southwest Priority card, Southwest Performance Business card, and Southwest Premier Business card can both help you earn A-List and A-List Preferred status with Southwest.

With these cards, you will earn 1,500 tier points per $5,000 spent on the card. This can get you almost halfway to A-List status, which requires 35,000 tier points. Add these tier points to what you already earn by flying Southwest Airlines and you’ll be well on your way.

Once you have A-List status, you’ll receive a number of benefits including a 25% bonus on points earned on your cash bookings with Southwest, priority check-in, a dedicated customer service line, and more.

For those who do a ton of travel, the ability to earn tier points through credit card spending can help get you to the 70,000 tier points required for A-List Preferred status.

With A-List Preferred status, you’ll receive a whopping 100% bonus on the points you earn on your paid Southwest tickets, a dedicated phone line, free inflight Wi-Fi , and more.

Southwest Airlines has over 100 destinations across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. With so many options, you’ll have a hard time running out of places to explore!

Without a doubt, the best way to use Rapid Rewards points is in conjunction with the Companion Pass since you’ll be getting 2 tickets for the price of one.

To top it all off, you can transfer Chase points  to your Rapid Rewards account if you ever need more points for a trip. The points you transfer won’t count toward earning the Companion Pass, but cards that earn Ultimate Rewards can help you earn points even faster.

If you want to earn the Companion Pass to really extract maximum value out of your Rapid Rewards points, then getting 2 of the co-branded Southwest credit cards is the smart move. Under current rules, that is one consumer card and one business card, not both consumer cards.

Between the personal cards, it comes down whether you will be traveling outside the U.S. If so, the Southwest Premier card or the Southwest Priority card will prevent you from having to pay foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Southwest Airlines has earned a reputation as one of the most customer-friendly airlines in the U.S. market. For the millions who fly with them every year, choosing a co-branded credit card that can help earn tons of Rapid Rewards points will only make that experience even better.

After earning the Companion Pass with the help of these cards and taking some fun adventures with a loved one or friend, you might find yourself becoming a loyal Southwest flyer, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points earned with the southwest airlines credit cards count toward elite status.

No, the points earned with the Chase Southwest cards are redeemable for award flights but do not help you earn status.

Can you transfer Southwest Rapid Rewards points to other airlines or hotels?

No, Rapid Rewards must be used to book award flights with Southwest Airlines.

What points can be transferred to Rapid Rewards points?

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Rapid Rewards almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio.

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Companion Pass allows you to book a flight for yourself and a designated companion for the price of one. You can book cash tickets and award flights to take advantage of this perk. You must earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points within a calendar year to receive the Companion Pass.

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About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

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This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Last chance: Earn a Companion Pass and 30,000 bonus points with these Southwest card offers

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

If you've been wanting to earn a Southwest Companion Pass, now is a great time to get a personal Southwest credit card.

All three personal Southwest credit cards are offering a Companion Pass (good through Feb. 28, 2025) plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. These welcome offers end on March 11, so this is your last chance to grab one of them.

This is one of the best offers we've seen on these cards , so jump on if you've been considering getting a personal Southwest credit card.

Plus, there's an opportunity to earn up to 80,000 points with a Southwest business card.

Let's take a look at the current sign-up bonuses on the Southwest Airlines credit cards.

Southwest personal cards

THE POINTS GUY

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

• Best for: Beginners and infrequent travelers
• Annual fee: $69
• Sign-up bonus: Earn a Companion Pass (good through Feb. 28, 2025) plus 30,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on your card in the first three months from account opening. This offer ends March 11.
• Earning rates: 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting purchases, including ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming service purchases, 2 points per dollar on Southwest flights, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners and 1 point per dollar on everything else
• Primary perks: Two EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary and 3,000 points every card anniversary

For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card .

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

• B est for: Regular Southwest flyers
• Annual fee: $99
• Earning rates: 3 points per dollar on Southwest flights, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting purchases (including ride-hailing services), 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming service purchases, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners and 1 point per dollar on everything else
• Primary perks: Two EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary, 6,000-point anniversary bonus, Unlimited TQP earning: 1,500 for each $10,000 spent ( each $5,000 spent from Jan. 1 ) and no foreign transaction fees

For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card .

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

• Best for: Southwest loyalists who can take advantage of day-of-travel perks
• Annual fee: $149
• Earning rates: 3 points per dollar on Southwest flights, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting purchases, including ride-hailing services, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming service purchases, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners and 1 point per dollar on everything else
• Primary perks: Unlimited TQP earning: 1,500 for each $10,000 spent (each $5,000 spent from Jan. 1), $75 annual Southwest credit, 7,500-point anniversary bonus and no foreign transaction fees

For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card .

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Southwest business cards

If you already have a personal Southwest card — or are looking for alternatives to these welcome offers — don't forget that the airline fields two cobranded business credit cards . Here are the details on those.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

• Best for: Business owners who fly Southwest regularly
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Earning rates: 3 points per dollar on Southwest flights, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting purchases (including ride-share services), 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners and 1 point per dollar on everything else
• Primary perks: Two EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary, earn tier-qualifying points toward A-List elite status, $500 fee credit for Rapid Rewards points transfers to another Rapid Rewards member, 6,000-point anniversary bonus, and no foreign transaction fees

For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card .

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

• Best for: Business owners who are loyal Southwest flyers
• Annual fee: $199
• Sign-up bonus: 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This offer ends on March 11.
• Earning rate: 4 points per dollar on Southwest flights, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting purchases (including ride-share services), 3 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, 2 points per dollar on social media and paid search advertising, internet, cable and phone services, 1 point per dollar on everything else
• Primary perk(s): Four upgraded boardings per year, earn tier-qualifying points toward A-List elite status, $500 fee credit for Rapid Rewards points transfers to another Rapid Rewards member, 9,000-point anniversary bonus, up-to-$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year and no foreign transaction fees

For more details, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card .

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

Should you apply for a Southwest credit card now?

Southwest has many fans who love the airline's personality and the fact that all passengers get two free checked bags. The carrier's Rapid Rewards program is also popular thanks to its simplicity. The number of Southwest Rapid Rewards points required to book a flight is directly tied to the flight's current fare, and you often get good deals if you know when and where to look for redemptions.

Furthermore, because of Southwest's policy of no cancellation or change fees on its flights , you can re-price a Southwest flight if you book a trip and then find the same itinerary at a lower price before departure. In addition, Southwest points never expire , so you don't need to worry about earning points and then not getting a chance to use them.

However, you can get even more value from your Southwest points if you can earn a Companion Pass . This perk allows you to bring along a designated travel companion on all of your Southwest flights — both paid and award tickets (but you must pay taxes and fees).

Normally, to get a Companion Pass, you must earn 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying, one-way flights in a calendar year. But credit card welcome bonuses and points earned from card spending count toward qualification, so the current offers on these cards can jumpstart you toward earning your Companion Pass.

You can receive nearly two years of buy-one-get-one flights by opening a personal and business Southwest credit card and timing your spending to earn the bonuses near the beginning of any given year. That's because the standard Companion Pass is valid for the year it's earned and the entire following year.

Southwest cardholders get a 10,000-point boost at the beginning of the year (for existing cardholders) or within 30 days of opening an account (for new members).

But with the current offer on the personal cards, you can get a Companion Pass just by meeting the minimum spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus. That's about a year of two-for-one flights for way less effort than a Companion Pass typically requires.

These offers end on March. 11, so you should act quickly if you're looking to gain a Southwest companion pass.

Read more: 13 lessons from 13 years' worth of Southwest Companion Passes

Bottom line

If you're looking for a personal card, you can choose from three Southwest cards and get a Companion Pass (good through Feb. 28, 2025) as part of the welcome offer.

Or, if you're in the market for a business card, you can get up to 80,000 bonus points on one of the current welcome offers. It's a great time to be a Southwest fan. This is your last chance to take advantage of these welcome offers before March 11.

Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

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Tier Qualifying Points For Consumer Cards: Tier qualifying points (TQPs) are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines ® or when you, or an authorized user, use the eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Credit Card from Chase to make purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds. (You’ll earn 1,500 for each $5,000 in purchases annually. “Annually” means the year beginning with your account open date through the first December statement date of that same year, and each 12 billing cycles starting after your December statement date through the following December statement date.) TQPs earned during a billing cycle on a eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Credit Card from Chase are not available for qualification for benefits such as A-List and A-List Preferred status until they are posted to your Rapid Rewards ® account. The following will not count toward qualification for A-List or A-List Preferred status: Rapid Rewards program enrollment points; Rapid Rewards reward flights; Rapid Rewards Companion Pass ® travel; Rapid Rewards partner points except for TQPs earned on the eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Credit Card from Chase; Rapid Rewards bonus points, unless specifically designated as such; non-revenue travel, unless specifically designated as eligible; stops at intermediate cities on connecting or through flights; and charter flights. TQPs are not redeemable for travel on Southwest ® or through the “More Rewards” site. Eligible credit cards: Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card.

Tier Qualifying Points For Business Cards: Tier qualifying points (TQPs) are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest Airlines ® or when you, or an employee, use the eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Credit Card from Chase to make purchases of products and services, minus returns or refunds. (You’ll earn 1,500 for each $5,000 in purchases annually. “Annually” means the year beginning with your account open date through the first December statement date of that same year, and each 12 billing cycles starting after your December statement date through the following December statement date.) TQPs earned during a billing cycle on a eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Credit Card from Chase are not available for qualification for benefits such as A-List and A-List Preferred status until they are posted to your Rapid Rewards ® account. The following will not count toward qualification for A-List or A-List Preferred status: Rapid Rewards program enrollment points; Rapid Rewards reward flights; Rapid Rewards Companion Pass ® travel; Rapid Rewards partner points except for TQPs earned on the eligible Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Credit Card from Chase; Rapid Rewards bonus points, unless specifically designated as such; non-revenue travel, unless specifically designated as eligible; stops at intermediate cities on connecting or through flights; and charter flights. TQPs are not redeemable for travel on Southwest ® or through the “More Rewards” site. Eligible credit cards: Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Premier Business Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card.

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Adding An Authorized User: All correspondence, including credit cards, statements, and notifications will be sent to the name and address on file for the primary cardmember. The primary cardmember is responsible for repaying all balances on this account. Authorized users will have the same account number and charging privileges as the primary cardmember but will not be financially responsible. Chase provides account information to the credit reporting agencies for all account users. This information could impact an authorized user’s credit score. When you tell us to add a user to your account, you’re confirming that you have a relationship with the person or people whose name(s), address(es), and date(s) of birth you’ve told us, that all their information is correct, and that you have their consent to add them. If Chase determines you’ve given us fraudulent name, address, or date of birth information or did not have such consent, Chase can close this account.

Adding An Employee Card: If any employees are allowed to use the account, they will be authorized users and will have equal charging privileges unless individual spending limits are established for them. You, as the Authorizing Officer, together with the business are responsible for any use of the account by you, an authorized user or anyone else permitted to use the account. You, together with the business, are responsible for repaying all balances on the account. All correspondence, including statements and notifications, will be sent to you as the Authorizing Officer. By requesting to add an employee cardholder to the account, you represent all information provided is accurate and is for persons with which the business has a relationship. You also represent that the business has permission to provide the employee information to Chase and to add the employee as a cardholder. If Chase determines any information provided is fraudulent, Chase has the right to close the account.

Companion Pass: Companion Pass ® qualifying points are earned from revenue flights booked through Southwest ® , points earned on Rapid Rewards ® Credit Cards, and base points earned from Rapid Rewards partners. The following do not count as Companion Pass qualifying points: purchased points; points transferred between Members; points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs, e-Rewards ® , Valued Opinions, and Diners Club ® ; points earned from Rapid Rewards program enrollment, tier bonus points; flight bonus points; and partner bonus points (with the exception of the Rapid Rewards Credit Cards from Chase). No points nor tier or Companion Pass qualifying points will be awarded for flights taken by the Companion when flying on a Companion Pass reservation. Points earned during a billing cycle on a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card from Chase are not available for redemption or qualification for Companion Pass status until they are posted on your billing statement and posted to your Rapid Rewards account. Only points posted on your billing statements and posted to your Rapid Rewards account during the same calendar year are available for qualification for Companion Pass status. For example, if you make a purchase after your December billing statement cycle date, the points on those purchases will not count toward Companion Pass status in the year the purchase was made; they will appear on your January billing statement and post to your Rapid Rewards account in January. Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost: As a Southwest Rapid Rewards Cardmember, you will earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year. The boost will be deposited into your eligible Rapid Rewards account by January 31st each calendar year or up to 30 days after account opening. To receive Companion Pass qualifying points boost your credit card account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. Only one credit card account per Southwest Rapid Rewards Member (Rapid Rewards Member must be the primary Cardmember on that account), is eligible for one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points per calendar year. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits and services.

SOUTHWEST RAPID REWARDS ® PROGRAM INFORMATION The Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card is brought to you by Southwest Airlines ® and Chase. Southwest Airlines is responsible for the redemption of Rapid Rewards points toward benefits and services. The number of points needed for a particular Southwest flight is set by Southwest ® and will vary depending on destination, time, day of travel, demand, fare type, point redemption rate, and other factors, and are subject to change at any time until the booking is confirmed. Rapid Rewards points can only be transferred to the primary Cardmember’s Rapid Rewards account. All Rapid Rewards rules and regulations apply and can be found at opens overlay Southwest.com/rrterms . Southwest reserves the right to amend, suspend, or change the program and/or program rules at any time without notice. Rapid Rewards Members do not acquire property rights in accrued points.

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Cash + points frequently asked questions, what is cash + points.

Starting on April 22, 2024, Cash + Points will allow Rapid Rewards ® Members to combine points with other eligible forms of payment to purchase flights. Members will be presented with up to five options for point redemptions, starting with as few as 1,000 points. The minimum redemption option for the selected flight(s) will be presented on screen. While Members who book using Cash + Points can make changes to their reservation, Cash + Points cannot be used for any fare increase related to a modification. During the first 10 days after launch, not all Customers will see Cash + Points as an available payment option. Cash + Points bookings will not earn Rapid Rewards points, tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status, or Companion Pass ® qualifying points. Flights paid for with Cash + Points will count toward a Member's qualifying one-way flights for A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status when flown.

How can I access Cash + Points?

Members planning to pay with Cash + Points must select "Dollars" in the booking flow. Cash + Points can be applied as a form of payment using the "Cash + Points and other forms of payment" section on the "Passenger & Payment Info" page. Cash + Points is not available in the "Points" booking flow.

Will I earn tier qualifying points or Companion Pass qualifying points on Cash + Points bookings?

No, Cash + Points bookings will not earn Rapid Rewards points, tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status, or Companion Pass qualifying points.

Do Cash + Points bookings count toward qualifying one-way flights for A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status?

Yes, flights paid for with Cash + Points will count toward your qualifying one-way flights for A-List, A-List Preferred, or Companion Pass status when flown.

For a Cash + Points booking, how are my points refunded?

When you cancel a reservation booked with Cash + Points as the form of payment, the remaining point balance will go back to the Rapid Rewards account used to book the flight. Any unused taxes/fees associated with a Cash + Points reservation can either be refunded as a method-of-payment refund or a flight credit to be used toward a future flight. Other forms of payment used in a Cash + Points booking will be refunded in accordance with standard refundability rules. For more information visit: https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/pathway/a1F5G00000cLOqmUAG/travel-funds-refunds-reimbursements .

What forms of payment can be used in addition to Rapid Rewards points when redeeming with Cash + Points?

With Cash + Points, Rapid Rewards Members can combine points and other eligible forms of payment to purchase flights. Other eligible forms of payment include, but are not limited to credit and debit cards, Southwest ® gift cards, flight credits, and Transferable Flight Credits™. Additionally, Cash + Points can only be used for an initial booking to purchase airfare.

What is the redemption value with Cash + Points?

The number of points required when paying with Cash + Points may vary based on destination, time, day of travel, demand, fare class, point redemption rate, and other factors, and is subject to change at any time until the booking is confirmed. The number of points and value of such points available for redemption with Cash + Points bookings will be disclosed on the Southwest website when selecting Cash + Points as a form of payment.

If I have Companion Pass, can I add my Companion when I'm traveling on a Cash + Points booking?

Yes, the usage of Cash + Points as a form of payment will not prevent you from adding a Companion to your reservation.

If I use my Rapid Rewards Credit Card 1 as a form of payment with Cash + Points, will I receive Rapid Rewards points, tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status, and/or Companion Pass qualifying points on Southwest Airlines ® reservations booked with Cash + Points?

• A Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember will only earn Rapid Rewards points on the dollars portion of a Cash + Points booking , per each $1 spent on Southwest purchases in accordance with the credit card's terms. A Customer will not receive Rapid Rewards points on the points portion of a Cash + Points booking. Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember will not earn Rapid Rewards points on the Cash + Points booking itself; Cardmembers will only earn Rapid Rewards points through their Rapid Rewards Credit Card as a form of payment.
• A Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember will only earn tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status on the dollars portion of a Cash + Points booking , per each $1 spent on Southwest purchases in accordance with the credit card's terms. A Customer will not receive tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status on the points portion of a Cash + Points booking. Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember will not earn tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status on the Cash + Points booking itself; Cardmembers will only earn tier qualifying points for A-List or A-List Preferred status through their Rapid Rewards Credit Card as a form of payment.
• A Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember will only earn Companion Pass qualifying points on the dollars portion of a Cash + Points booking , per each $1 spent on Southwest purchases in accordance with the credit card's terms. A Customer will not receive Companion Pass qualifying points on the points portion of a Cash + Points booking. Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember will not earn Companion Pass qualifying points on the Cash + Points booking itself; Cardmembers will only earn Companion Pass qualifying points through their Rapid Rewards Credit Card as a form of payment.

Is there a minimum redemption allowed with Cash + Points bookings?

Yes, the minimum possible redemption with Cash + Points is 1,000 points. Available Cash + Points redemption options are determined by the total price of the fare. 1,000-point redemptions may not be available for all flights. Cash + Points offers require a Customer to have a certain amount of minimum points in their account at the time of booking. Customers may have a sufficient amount of points to use Cash + Points generally, but specific redemption options may require more points than Customers currently have. Minimum points required to use Cash + Points vary based on factors, including, but not limited to, the specific flight and number of Passengers.

Can I make changes to a flight booked with Cash + Points as a form of payment?

Yes, changes can be made to flights booked with Cash + Points as a form of payment. Cash + Points can only be applied as a form of payment on initial bookings. Changes resulting in a fare increase will require another eligible form of payment. Neither points nor Cash + Points can be used to pay for any increase in fare associated with a reservation booked with Cash + Points. In the event of a decrease in fare, standard refundability rules apply.

Can I combine Rapid Rewards points from different Rapid Rewards accounts for a Cash + Points booking?

No, Rapid Rewards points used for a Cash + Points booking must come from a single Rapid Rewards account. Points may be transferred between Rapid Rewards accounts for a fee.

Can I use Cash + Points to purchase ancillary products or book Southwest Vacations ® packages?

No, not at this time. Cash + Points is only available for use on Southwest.com, swabiz.com and in Southwest mobile channels for airfare purchases.

Are all Rapid Rewards Members eligible to use Cash + Points?

Not all Customers will see Cash + Points as an available payment option during the initial rollout. Members must have an active account and have enough Rapid Rewards points to cover the minimum redemption option presented in the Cash + Points redemption flow.

Will Rapid Rewards Members be able to use Cash + Points to purchase all Southwest fares?

Members will be able to use Cash + Points for all Southwest fares: Business Select ® , Anytime, Wanna Get Away Plus ® , and Wanna Get Away ® booked through Southwest.com, swabiz.com, and in Southwest mobile channels.

What should Southwest Business Customers know about Cash + Points?

• Can Southwest Business Customers redeem Rapid Rewards Business points using Cash + Points? Yes. If you are a travel manager and your company is enrolled in Rapid Rewards Business, you will be able to use Rapid Rewards Business points for Cash + Points bookings. *Note: You must be logged in to SWABIZ ® as a travel manager to redeem Rapid Rewards Business points.
• If I am logged in to SWABIZ as a traveler, can I use my company's Rapid Rewards Business points to make a Cash + Points booking? No. Only logged in travel managers may use Rapid Rewards Business points to book using Cash + Points. If you are logged in as a traveler and your personal Rapid Rewards account is attached to your company's Corporate Identification (CID) number, points redeemed in SWABIZ using Cash + Points will be deducted from your personal Rapid Rewards account.
• Can I use Cash + Points to pay for bookings through SPS and GDS? Not at this time. Cash + Points is available only on Southwest.com, swabiz.com , and the Southwest mobile app.

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Get your camera ready for Saguaro National Park .

The park is home to the tallest cactus species in the country, the saguaro, a symbol of the Southwest. They’re particularly concentrated in the west district of the park, just outside Tuscon, Arizona.

“We like to call that one the Instagram side because you can literally go anywhere in the park, and there will be at least two or three dozen saguaros in the background of your photo,” said Cam Juárez, Community Engagement and Outreach coordinator and public information officer at the park.   

Here’s what else travelers will find at Saguaro, the latest national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series .

Why is Saguaro National Park worth seeing?

“Saguaros are super special because they only exist in this part of the world the way they do,” said Juárez. “You can visit certain parts of Mexico, you can visit certain parts of central Arizona, but you’re never going to see them the way you see them here.”

They’re not the only scenic beauties in the biodiverse park. 

“Our peaks are in the neighborhood of around 9,000 feet,” Juárez said. Visitors can find aspen, pine and fir trees in its sky islands. “As you climb every few 100 feet down in elevation, you're experiencing different biomes all the way down to grasslands, to desert shrub, to basically just what you would imagine a desert to look like.”

Which side is better for Saguaro National Park?

The park is divided into east and west districts, which bookend Tucson. Tucson International is the closest airport.

“My favorite is the west district, just because I love seeing the saguaro. You're going to have 2 million, versus maybe a quarter million saguaros on the east side,” Juárez said. “But if you're a backcountry hiker and you want to hike long distances, the east district, Rincon Mountain District, is definitely better.” 

He noted the Arizona Trail , from the U.S.-Mexico border up to the Grand Canyon, goes right through the east district. 

Can I drive in Saguaro National Park?

Yes. There is a $25 vehicle entry fee for the park, which is cashless. 

Visitors can purchase passes online at Recreation.gov or at a park kiosk using a debit or credit card.

How long does it take to go through Saguaro National Park?

You could visit both sides of the park in one day but may be better off with two.

“If you only have one day, definitely take the Cactus Forest loop ,” Juárez recommended. Cactus Forest Drive is a scenic 8-mile roadway in the east district. The west district has a 5-mile Bajada Loop Drive.

What is the best time to visit Saguaro National Park?

Juárez called October and mid-November magical. That’s just before the park’s busiest time of year, which he said runs from after Thanksgiving through April.

“Two times a year, we see a lot of rainstorms,” he added. “We have our traditional summer monsoons, and we have our winter rains. As a bimodal desert, you're going to see different blossoms at different times of the year.”

He said monsoons amplify the park’s already magnificent sunsets.

“The different colors of red and yellows and golds, coupled with purple skies, it's just everything that you see on postcards,” he said. “It just comes alive.”

What does the saguaro mean to Native Americans?

“The Tohono O’odham have a very special relationship with the park. Their whole culture revolves around the saguaro cactus, or as they call it, the Ha:san ,” Juárez said. Tribal members may harvest the fruit for traditional uses with a special permit through the Interior Department and National Park Service. “The fruit is harvested as part of their traditional medicine, their traditional foods. A lot of ceremonial wines come from that.”

He said other tribes tied to the land include Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Gila River Indian Community .

What else should visitors know about Saguaro?

“I would love for people to know that Saguaro National Park is making a concerted effort to be conscientious of the fact that the representation matters,” Juárez said. “ Friends of Saguaro National Park , in conjunction with our team here, developed what's called the Next Generation Ranger program, and it's not just a paid internship. It's an opportunity for (interns) to gain experience and gain what's called the Public Land Corps credit opportunity, which will help us diversify not just race and ethnicity but also ability and gender …  so when you walk into Saguaro National Park, you're going to run into very knowledgeable, very experienced, diverse young people that are matching our country's identity.”

Nearly 45% of the Tucson population is of Hispanic or Latino heritage, according to the U.S. Census . Several park staffers speak Spanish, including Juárez. 

“It comes in handy because we're not just talking our friends to the south. We're talking all the way down to Central America and South America that are visiting national parks,” he said, adding that sometimes they’ll welcome visitors in Spanish. “You should see the look on people's faces. They're like, ‘Wow, you speak my language.’ I encourage all of my coworkers and staff people to make it a point to try to at least learn how to say welcome and hello in different languages.”

National parks for every body: How to make the outdoors more accessible

The park is also making a concerted effort to welcome guests of all abilities. Both districts offer a variety of accommodations, including accessible trails , braille and large-text versions of the park brochure, touchable exhibits, captioned programs and more.

“I definitely am an active voice, as a person with a physical disability, that says we can't just give folks a smidgen of what able-bodied individuals can get,” Juárez said. “We should make a very concerted effort to expand on everything we've done so far.”