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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card — Full Review [2025]
Jarrod West
Jarrod West
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Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 8 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in o...
With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in ...
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LIMITED TIME OFFER
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
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.
4
100,000 points
$149
19.99% - 28.49% Variable
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Earn Southwest points on every purchase, plus anniversary points, Tier Qualifying Points, and points toward the Companion Pass!
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.
4
Summary
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.
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
6,000 anniversary points each year.
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.
First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
Select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.*
Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
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Great Card If
You like Southwest Airlines and spend enough to earn Tier Qualifying Points
You have your eyes set on the Companion Pass
You want to earn some extra Rapid Rewards points each year
Don’t Get If
You’re a low spender and won’t make up the $149 annual fee in bonus points
You enjoy luxury benefits when traveling and don’t like low-cost carriers
You want a card that earns transferable rewards
Southwest Premier Card — Is It Worth It?
If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, then it’s likely the Southwest Premier card would be a great option for you.
For starters, the card not only helps you earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points on all of your flights but also on all of your other daily purchases, too.
The card isn’t just great for earning points, though. It also helps enhance your Southwest flights by offering a free checked bag, 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year (for use on flights in 2025) and Standard or Preferred seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available (for flights operating in 2026), 25% back on inflight purchases, and travel protections.
While the card does charge a $149 annual fee, it also offers 6,000 bonus Southwest Rapid Rewards points each year to help offset that fee.
Southwest Premier Card Top Benefits
6,000 Bonus Points Each Year
Each year you renew your card, you’ll receive 6,000 bonus points deposited into your Rapid Rewards account. Oftentimes, you’ll get around 1.3 cents per point when redeeming your Southwest Rapid Rewards points, making 6,000 points worth about $78 towards a Southwest flight.
Free Checked Bag
You and up to 8 people traveling with you on the same reservation will avoid the $35 fee for your first checked bag by holding the Southwest Premier card.
EarlyBird Check-In (Ending in 2025)
Those who fly with Southwest know that you want to score as early of a boarding position as possible, as seat selection is a first-come, first-served process.
With EarlyBird Check-In, you’ll be automatically checked in as soon as the check-in window opens, helping you score a great boarding position. The price for EarlyBird Check-In starts at $15 but can be more depending on the route.
Southwest Premier cardholders will receive 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins each year for free. This benefit is good for flights in 2025 and will end in 2026.
Standard or Preferred Seat Selection, Earlier Boarding
For flights in 2026 and beyond, you and up to 8 people traveling with you on the same reservation can select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours of boarding (depending on availability). You’ll also board in Group 5, giving you more access to a spot for your bag in the overhead bin and time to settle in for your flight.
15% Flight Discount
Every anniversary year, you will receive a promotional code for 15% off a Southwest flight (cannot be used for a Basic fare).
Tier Qualifying Points
The Southwest Premier card will also help you work your way towards elite status with Southwest by giving you 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
While you won’t want to rely on this alone as a method for reaching elite status, it is a welcome addition.
Discounts on Inflight Purchases
Receive a 25% discount on Wi-Fi, drinks, or other items on your Southwest flight when you pay with your Southwest Premier card.
Card Protections
Baggage Delay Insurance: If you have checked a bag, and it is delayed by more than 6 hours, you’ll receive $100 per day your bag is delayed in coverage towards essential items.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If the items inside of your luggage are lost or damaged by the carrier, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per passenger.
Extended Warranty Protection: On eligible warranties of 3 years or less, your warranty coverage will be extended by 1 additional year.
Purchase Protection: Items you purchase with the card are covered against theft or accidental damage, with up to $50,000 in coverage, up to 120 days from the date of purchase.
Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Thankfully, the Southwest Rapid Rewards program is very robust. This is advantageous because it means you have plenty of great ways to rack up Southwest Rapid Rewards points, such as through its dining program or shopping portal.
As a fixed point rewards program, Southwest helps take the headache out of the equation when it comes to redemptions, by making each point worth about 1.3 cents towards any Southwest flight with no blackout dates or award space to worry about. Southwest also offers a great route map with plenty of great destinations you can visit with your Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
Alternative Cards to the Southwest Premier Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, then the Southwest Priority card will likely be a better fit for you.
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.
This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.
This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.
Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
100,000 points
$1,300
$229
19.99% - 28.49% 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.
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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
4x points on Southwest Airlines eligible purchases
2x points at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases (through December 31, 2025)
Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
7,500 anniversary points each year.
Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.*
Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
While the annual fee is a bit higher, the card offers quite a bit more benefits like 7,500 bonus points each year, a $75 Southwest credit each year (through December 31, 2025), and unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours before departure, when available and at no additional charge, for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers traveling on the same reservation, starting in 2026.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Those who want an all-around travel rewards card should opt for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
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 fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
75,000 points
$1,500
$95
19.99% - 28.24% 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.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cardson the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros & Cons
Pros
5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
Cons
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
You’ll earn 5x points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 2x points per $1 on other travel purchases, and 3x points per $1 on dining, online grocery, and select streaming purchases.
Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are some of the most valuable points available to award travelers thanks to their ability to be transferred at a 1:1 rate to many great Chase transfer partners.
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