The 6 best Southwest credit cards for flights and rewards in 2024
Loyal Southwest flyers can boost their rewards and earn toward the coveted Companion Pass with these top co-branded and flexible credit card options.
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Javier Ortega-Araiza is a writer, storyteller, serial entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded a seven figures company in the educational travel sector, connecting students and professionals in finance and tech ecosystems like Silicon Valley, London, and New York. He also has experience in equity research and in the family office sector.
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Editor
Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Bankrate's senior editor of content partnerships.
Updated August 28, 2024, 11:36 AM EDT
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Known for its friendly free bag policy, lack of change or cancellation fees, and customer-centric corporate culture, Southwest rewards its flyers’ patronage through the Rapid Rewards program.
Choosing the best Southwest credit card for earning flights and travel perks is easier than you think. Whether you're a frequent flyer or an occasional Southwest passenger, there's a Rapid Rewards card designed to fit your needs and budget.
We'll compare the top personal and business Southwest credit cards, highlighting their unique rewards and benefits. You'll also learn about the coveted Southwest Companion Pass and how the right credit card strategy can help you earn this valuable travel perk.
Best Southwest Airline credit cards
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Southwest co-branded cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
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If you fly Southwest often, the Priority card can enhance your travel experience. It offers an annual $75 Southwest travel credit, four Upgraded Boardings per year (when available), and 7,500 bonus points for each account anniversary. You'll also get 25% back on in-flight purchases and the ability to earn tier-qualifying points toward A-List status.
The $75 annual credit essentially cuts the $149 annual fee in half if you use it. Plus, the 7,500-anniversary bonus points are worth around $110 in airfare, offsetting the rest of the fee and then some. The Southwest travel protections can also come in handy if your bags are delayed or you need to cancel a trip.
Pros
- Great rewards within the Southwest ecosystem, including upgraded boardings and 10,000 points towards qualifying for the Companion Pass
- No foreign transaction fees
- Solid welcome offer
- Bonus points on each account anniversary
- Annual Southwest credit
Cons
- $149 annual fee
- Loyalty points are not transferable to other programs
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card balances rewards and cost. It offers 6,000-anniversary bonus points (worth roughly $90 in Southwest flights) and two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year. EarlyBird Check-In typically costs $15-99 one-way and lets you automatically board before the general group.
For a $99 annual fee, the Premier card provides solid value for Southwest loyalists. Beyond the anniversary points and priority boarding, you get useful benefits like lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. It's a step up from the base Plus card without the higher annual fee of the Priority.
Pros
- Solid welcome offer for a mid-tier card
- No foreign transaction fees
- 6,000-anniversary points
- In-flight discounts
- Companion Pass points boost
- Solid rewards-earning potential
Cons
- $99 annual fee
- Lack of premium travel perks
- Rewards are limited to the Southwest ecosystem (not transferable to other loyalty programs)
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
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As the entry-level personal Southwest card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card offers a lower annual fee of $69 but fewer perks. You'll get 3,000 bonus points each account anniversary (worth about $45 towards travel) and the same sign-up bonus as the higher-tier cards.
This card could be a fit if you're new to Southwest and testing the waters. The anniversary points help offset the annual fee, and you still get perks like 25% off in-flight purchases and rental car insurance. Just be aware that it charges foreign transaction fees, so you'll want to use a different card abroad.
Pros
- Decent points earning potential
- In-flight discounts
- 3,000-anniversary points each year
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- $69 annual fee
- Rewards redemption opportunities are limited in comparison to other travel cards
Flexible travel rewards cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular travel credit card. It earns flexible points that can be transferred 1:1 to Southwest Rapid Rewards (or a dozen other airline and hotel partners). You'll also get useful perks like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, a $50 annual hotel credit, and no foreign transaction fees.
This card really shines if you want more flexibility in how you earn and use rewards. Booking through the Chase travel portal gets you 1.25 cents per point on flights, hotels, and more. Or you can transfer to partners like Southwest, United, Hyatt, and Marriott to potentially get even more value. The $95 annual fee is reasonable considering the well-rounded benefits.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel
- Elevated rewards on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases
- Great value (up to 25% more) for your points if you redeem through Chase Travel
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory APR offer
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a luxury travel card with a hefty $550 annual fee to match. In exchange, you get an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge membership, a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and top-notch travel protections.
Like the Sapphire Preferred, the Reserve earns transferable Chase points but at an accelerated rate. When you book through Chase, your points are worth 1.5 cents each, a 50% bonus. So while the annual fee seems high, the $300 travel credit, lounge access, elevated points earning, and other benefits can easily offset it for the frequent traveler. Plus, you can always transfer points directly to Southwest if that's your program of choice.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit
- Generous welcome bonus
- Awesome additional travel perks like lounge access and Global Entry credits
- 1:1 point transfer to travel loyalty programs, including Southwest Rapid Rewards
- 10X points on hotel stays and car rentals and 5X on flights when booked through Chase Travel
Cons
- $550 annual fee
- High APR for carrying a balance
What is the Southwest Rapid Rewards program?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards program is Southwest Airlines' loyalty program. As a member, you earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights, vacation packages, and partner purchases. You can redeem these points for award flights without blackout dates or restrictions. Points don't expire as long as your account remains active.
The program has three tiers: Base, A-List, and A-List Preferred. You can earn A-List status by flying 20 one-way qualifying flights or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. A-List Preferred requires 40 one-way flights or 70,000 points. Both A-List tiers provide benefits like priority boarding, bonus points, and same-day standby.
One of the most valuable aspects of the Rapid Rewards program is the Companion Pass. To earn this perk, you must accumulate 135,000 qualifying points or take 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
Once achieved, your designated companion can fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) for the remainder of the year and the entire following year. Certain Southwest credit card sign-up bonuses count toward earning the Companion Pass.
How to choose the best Southwest credit card
When selecting a Southwest credit card, consider the following factors:
- How often do you fly Southwest? Frequent flyers will get more value from higher annual fee cards with better perks.
- Do you want to earn Companion Pass qualifying points? Higher-tier cards offer bonus points to help qualify.
- Are you looking for luxury travel perks like upgraded boarding and travel credits? The Southwest Priority card provides the most premium benefits.
- Is the annual fee within your budget? Weigh the fee against the potential rewards and benefits to determine if a card is a good fit.
The Rapid Rewards program has many benefits. Points never expire, and there are no blackout dates. This means you have an open calendar to redeem your loyalty points.
How to maximize the value of your Southwest credit card
To get the most from your Southwest credit card, start by ensuring you meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the sign-up bonus. This bonus often includes a significant number of Rapid Rewards points that can jumpstart your earnings.
Use your card for all your Southwest purchases, including flights, in-flight drinks, Wi-Fi, and Early Bird Check-In. Most Southwest credit cards earn bonus points on Southwest spending. You can also use your card to pay for rental cars, and hotel stays with Southwest's travel partners to rack up additional points.
Look for opportunities to "double dip" on points by shopping through Southwest's online Rapid Rewards Shopping portal. You'll earn bonus points at popular retailers on top of the regular credit card points.
If you fly Southwest frequently, consider adding a business card to your wallet and a personal card. The sign-up bonuses can help you earn the Companion Pass faster, essentially doubling the value of your points when you bring a friend or family member along for free.
Finally, take advantage of your card's travel perks to save money and enjoy a more comfortable experience. Many Southwest cards offer benefits like upgraded boardings, annual travel credits, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Which banks issue Southwest credit cards?
Can I have more than one Southwest credit card?
Do I need a Southwest credit card to earn Rapid Rewards points?
How do you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards?
Does Southwest offer free checked bags?
The bottom line
Whether you’re a frequent, regular, or occasional Southwest flyer, there is a card for you. At the same time, if you want more flexibility and prefer a regular travel card that allows you to transfer points to Southwest when needed, the Chase Sapphire cards might have what you are looking for.
The key is to understand your spending patterns, financial goals and needs, and travel rewards objectives. Once you outline these, you can review each card’s offerings and choose the one that will empower you to make the most of your Southwest travel experiences.
Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.