Southwest Premier Card’s Welcome Offer History: 2023 to 2026

Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards have always been popular, but they’ve become even more valuable since the airline eliminated its long-standing free checked bags policy.

Sitting squarely in the middle of the Southwest cards lineup is the Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card with a $149 annual fee.

If you’ve already looked into the benefits and think it’s a good fit, it’s worth taking an extra step to review past welcome offers. Doing so can help you gauge whether to apply now for the Southwest Premier card or if it might be smarter to wait for a better introductory offer to return.

When To Apply for the Southwest Premier Card

In 2025, Southwest revamped its entire credit card portfolio by adding a free checked bag, new statement credits, improved point-earning rates, and more. Since then, we’ve seen welcome offers shift noticeably, reflecting the airline’s broader move toward a new operating model that differs from what travelers were accustomed to.

That said, the Southwest Premier card offers the following public welcome bonus offer:

•  Earn 55,000 points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Let’s examine how this compares with the card’s welcome offers, dating back to 2023:

* Value based on our latest valuation of Southwest Rapid Rewards points estimated at 1.3 cents each. This value isn’t provided by the card issuer.

The Southwest Premier card regularly features elevated offers throughout the year. Typically, once a year, a 1-year Companion Pass is offered for a smaller number of points, which can be a huge opportunity for those who travel frequently with a partner.

If that’s not you, the best sum of points we’ve seen is 100,000 bonus points, though anything above 75,000 points is an elevated welcome offer worth considering. Just be mindful that larger welcome offers are usually paired with higher minimum spend requirements.

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.

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

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card

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

Welcome Offer

Earn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

55,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $715

Annual Fee

$149

APR

19.24% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points on the first $8,000 in combined spend at grocery stores and restaurants each anniversary year
• First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation

Cons

• $149 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

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Card Highlights

• Earn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 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.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

The 50,000-point welcome offer seems to be the baseline, so if that’s what is currently being offered, chances are you can wait a few months for a stronger opportunity to come back.

Southwest Premier Card Benefits

The Southwest Premier card comes with a long list of benefits, but we’ve summed up the major ones below:

• Earn 3x points on Southwest Airlines purchases and 2x points at grocery stores and restaurants (on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year, and 1x points on everything else)
• First free checked bag and Group 5 boarding for you and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation
• Select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, if available
• 6,000 anniversary points each year

Final Thoughts

The Southwest Premier card offers enticing welcome offers multiple times per year. There’s even an opportunity to earn a Companion Pass, which allows you to bring a travel companion on the same flight for just the cost of taxes and fees ($5.60). Reviewing these bonus offers can help you predict which one is the best option for you, as they might return in the future.