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Chase Sapphire Reserve Cards: How To Maximize the Southwest Status and Credits

Jessica Merritt's image
Jessica Merritt
Updated: 
Edited by: Michael Y. Park
& Jestan Mendame
Chase Sapphire Reserve Cards: How To Maximize the Southwest Status and Credits
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If you’re eyeing a way to level up your Southwest Airlines experience, the refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ offer a way to do it with annual spending. These premium travel cards unlock Southwest A-List status and a $500 Southwest airfare credit each calendar year when you meet spending thresholds.

Here’s how the benefits work, how to maximize them, and how they compare to similar travel credits.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Card Overview

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card are premium cards that offer distinct benefits for earning Southwest Airlines perks. Both cards offer top-tier travel rewards and protections, but differ in key areas such as annual spending thresholds and earning categories.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®Terms Apply / Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
125,000 points
$2,500
$795
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent
Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
  • 5x points on Lyft rides
  • 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
Cons
    • $795 annual fee
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
  • Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
  • Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
  • Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.
Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening.
200,000 points
$4,000
$795
18.49% - 26.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 8x points on Chase Travel purchases
  • 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
  • 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)
Cons
    • $795 annual fee
Read Full Review
Card Highlights
  • Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and with more than $2,500 in annual value, there's no competition.
  • Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
  • Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
  • Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
  • Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
  • Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is best for frequent personal travelers who value premium perks and flexible rewards and want to unlock Southwest Airlines elite status. Business owners with high monthly expenses may find the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card a better fit.

» Related: 43 Valuable Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card ($7,000+ Value)

How To Earn Southwest A-List Status and $500 Travel Credit

Once you spend $75,000 in a calendar year on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or $120,000 in a calendar year on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, you unlock major Southwest Airlines perks: A-List Status and a $500 Southwest travel credit redeemable through Chase Travel.

A-List Status Shortcut to Elite Travel Perks

Southwest Airlines B737 boarding door passengers
Receive priority boarding with A-List status. Image Credit: Ryan Smith

Southwest A-List status is typically earned after 20 qualifying one-way flights or 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year. It offers perks that make traveling with Southwest more comfortable and convenient:

  • Priority boarding: Though Southwest’s open seating policy will end in early 2026, this perk allows you to be among the first on the plane.
  • Free checked bags: Get 1 checked bag free and a second checked bag for $35.
  • 25% bonus Rapid Rewards points: Earn more points on every Southwest flight.
  • Same-day standby priority: If there’s a seat available, you can change your same-day flight on short notice with no difference in base fare.
  • Priority check-in and security: Access dedicated lanes at the Southwest check-in counter and priority security screening.
  • A-List customer service: Use a dedicated A-List member phone line to connect with a representative directly.
» Related: How To Get Southwest Elite Status (And Is It Worth It?)

A-List status can be valuable for frequent Southwest flyers. It helps you save time with priority access and flexible flight changes. As Southwest ends its free checked bag policy, status can save you money on every flight. You also earn points faster, which can support Companion Pass goals.

Hot Tip:

Earn A-List status as early as possible in the year. Once you’ve earned it, it’s valid for the remainder of the calendar year and the following year.

$500 Southwest Travel Credit

In addition to status, you earn a $500 credit you can use on Southwest, but there’s a catch: You have to book it through Chase Travel.

The credit can be applied directly to airfare, making it more flexible than other travel credits that only apply to incidentals such as baggage fees or upgrades.

Here are some ideas for using the $500 Southwest credit on Chase Travel:

Some of these flights are low enough to book tickets for 2 people, but the great thing about this credit is that even if you spend more than $500, it takes $500 off the top.

For example, if you bought 2 tickets from Los Angeles to Cabo and spent $576, you’d only be out $76 after the credit. You could also spend some of the credit and save the rest for later, such as booking a single ticket from Dallas to New York for $180 and saving $320 for another flight.

A great time to use the credit is during Southwest fare sales, when you can snap up fares as low as $39 for eligible destinations and dates.

» Related: The Complete Guide to Using the Chase Travel Portal — Maximize Your Options

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Is Earning Southwest Benefits Worth It?

Spending $75,000 (on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card) or $120,000 (on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card) annually for Southwest A-List status and a $500 credit is no small feat. However, for Southwest loyalists, it may be worth it.

We estimate the value of A-List status to be $360 to $600 annually. Combined with the $500 Southwest travel credit, that offers $860 to $1,100 in annual value if you meet the spending threshold — and that’s on top of the rewards you earn from spending.

If you spend $75,000 on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you also receive a minimum of $750 in rewards value, offering at least $1,610 in benefits and rewards from meeting the spending threshold.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card requires a higher $120,000 in annual spending to unlock the Southwest benefits. With $860 to $1,100 in annual value from the Southwest benefits plus at least $1,200 in rewards value from spending, you’d have at least $2,060 in benefits and rewards value if you meet the $120,000 spending threshold.

Bottom Line:

If you naturally spend $75,000 or $120,000 on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, earning Southwest benefits is a nice perk. But if you have to stretch or redirect spending to get there, it may not be worth it unless you can get a lot of value from Southwest A-List status.

Tips To Track and Maximize Spending

  • Use your card for everyday expenses in bonus categories, such as Chase Travel, direct travel bookings, dining, or advertising.
  • Use the Chase mobile app or online dashboard to analyze annual spending.
  • Set calendar reminders for midyear and Q4 reviews to pace your spending.
  • Consider using your card for large planned purchases, such as travel, insurance, or quarterly business expenses.
  • If you’re down to the wire in late December, ensure purchases are posted before December 31.
Hot Tip:

Learn more about staying on top of Chase spending in our guide to tracking welcome bonuses.

Comparing Travel Credits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card stand out by offering a $300 general annual travel credit and a $500 Southwest credit, but there’s a catch. While the $300 credit is automatic and applies to a wide range of travel purchases, the $500 Southwest credit only applies after meeting significant spending thresholds.

By comparison, the up to $200 airline fee credit offered by The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express only applies to airline incidental fees with a selected airline upon enrollment. It’s somewhat limiting, but still useful.

Other premium cards also have statement credits that can be used for air travel, including the annual up to $300 Capital One Travel credit with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business Card, and the annual up to $200 Splurge Credit on the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, which can be used with American Airlines.

Unlike the spend-dependent $500 Southwest credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, competing statement credits mentioned are automatic for all cardholders, regardless of spending.

Final Thoughts

Earning the $500 Southwest credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card can be a good value for high spenders who frequently fly with Southwest. It’s an easy-to-use travel credit, and the A-List perks can offer comfort, convenience, and better point earnings. However, we don’t recommend reaching for this credit if you wouldn’t otherwise meet the spending threshold.

Featured Image Credit: Alberto Riva

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use the $500 Chase Southwest travel credit to book travel for someone else?

Yes, you can use the $500 Southwest credit from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card to book travel for anyone on Chase Travel, not just the primary cardholder.

Do the Chase Southwest benefits stack with Southwest Companion Pass?

You can hold both A-List status and a Companion Pass. Having A-List perks, such as bonus points and standby flexibility, can enhance your Companion Pass experience.

How can you track progress toward the Chase spending requirement?

Use the Chase mobile app or online account dashboard to monitor your year-to-date spending. It’s a good idea to set calendar reminders to review your statements, especially toward the end of the year if you haven’t hit the spending threshold yet.

Does the $500 Chase Southwest credit work internationally?

You can use the Southwest credit from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card on any flight booked on Chase Travel, whether it’s domestic or one of Southwest’s international destinations, including Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Jessica Merritt's image

About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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