Southwest Credit Cards: Comparing the Benefits

Southwest credit cards come with perks and point-earning abilities for Southwest Airlines flyers. These cards can be incredibly valuable, even if you only fly a few times a year, especially considering Southwest now charges for checked bags and seat assignments.

In this article, we’ll compare Southwest credit cards to see which one might be the best fit for you. Since there are 5 Southwest cards to choose from, you have plenty of options, whether you’re looking for a solid way to get a free checked bag on every flight, want to earn a lot of Southwest points, or want a fast-track way to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.

Southwest Credit Card Summary

Here’s a quick comparison of the welcome bonus offers and main benefits of the 5 Southwest credit cards. Scroll down for detailed information on each card.

*Benefits starting January 27, 2026.

There are a handful of benefits that are standard on all 5 Southwest credit cards, including both personal and business cards.

• 1 free checked bag
• Group 5 boarding (starting January 27, 2026)
• 10,000-point boost toward Companion Pass qualification
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Southwest Credit Card Comparison (Personal Cards)

Southwest Plus Card

The Southwest Plus card is the entry-level card in the Southwest portfolio, with the lowest annual fee.

NEW OFFER

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus 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.

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

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

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

Welcome Offer

Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

85,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,105

Annual Fee

$99

APR

19.74% - 28.24% 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

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!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on the first $5,000 in combined spend at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year
• 2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshares (through December 31, 2025)

Cons

• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines^® purchases
• Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
• Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
• Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

The benefits of the Southwest Plus card can be valuable if you check bags often or would otherwise pay to choose a Standard seat.

For starters, it earns Southwest points in a couple of categories:

• 2x points on Southwest purchases (including Southwest gift cards and Southwest Vacations)
• 2x points at gas stations and grocery stores (up to $5,000 in spending combined per year)
• 2x points on Southwest partner hotel and car rental purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on local transit, commuting, and ride-sharing (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services, plus select streaming (through December 31, 2025)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 3,000 bonus points each year after the cardmember anniversary

Some of this card’s benefits apply to the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers booked on the same reservation:

• First free checked bag
• Complimentary Standard seat 48 hours prior to departure, when available (for flights with assigned seating starting January 27, 2026)
• Group 5 boarding (starting January 27, 2026)

Additional Southwest Plus card benefits for the cardholder include:

• 2 EarlyBird check-ins for flights through December 31, 2025
• 10,000-point boost toward Companion Pass qualification (these points only count toward earning a Southwest Companion Pass; they aren’t redeemable miles)
• 10% flight promo code discount each year after the card’s anniversary (excludes Basic fares)
• No foreign transaction fees
• 25% discount on inflight purchases

Hot Tip:

Every Southwest credit card comes with 1 free checked bag and Group 5 for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation.

Southwest Premier Card

The Southwest Premier card is the midtier personal card that offers a good balance of perks for a reasonable annual fee.

NEW 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.

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 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

85,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,105

Annual Fee

$149

APR

19.74% - 28.24% 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
• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners (through December 31, 2025)

Cons

• $149 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 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: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

Let’s start with this card’s points-earning categories, which include useful categories like restaurants and grocery stores.

• 3x points on Southwest purchases (including Southwest gift cards and Southwest Vacations)
• 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores (up to $8,000 in spending combined per year)
• 2x points on Southwest partner hotel and car rental purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on local transit, commuting, and ride-sharing (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services, plus select streaming (through December 31, 2025)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 6,000 bonus points each year after the cardmember anniversary

Just like the Southwest Plus card, some of the benefits of the Southwest Premier card apply to the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers booked on the same reservation:

• First free checked bag
• Complimentary Preferred seat 48 hours prior to departure, when available (for flights with assigned seating starting January 27, 2026)
• Group 5 boarding (starting January 27, 2026)

Travelers who want to earn Southwest A-List elite status will appreciate that this card earns Tier Qualifying Points, or TQPs. You earn 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent on the card.

Additionally, this card comes with the 10,000-point Companion Pass boost, a 15% flight discount promo code every year after the card anniversary (excludes Basic fares), a 25% discount on inflight purchases, and no foreign transaction fees.

Southwest Priority Card

The Southwest Priority card is the most premium personal card that Southwest offers. It includes seating and boarding benefits, as well as the highest points multiplier for Southwest purchases.

NEW OFFER

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority 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.

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

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

85,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,105

Annual Fee

$229

APR

19.74% - 28.24% 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

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.

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)

Cons

• $229 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 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.*
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

One of the biggest benefits of the Southwest Priority card is its seating and boarding perks. For flights starting January 27, 2026, cardholders get complimentary Preferred seats at the time of booking (when available), and they can upgrade to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure (when available).

Plus, the card comes with a free checked bag and Group 5 boarding (for flights starting January 27, 2026). These perks apply to the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation.

Before the new boarding groups take effect, cardholders get 4 Upgraded Boardings (to secure A1 to A15 boarding positions) for flights in 2025.

The Southwest Priority card can help you earn lots of points, too.

• 4x points on Southwest purchases (including Southwest gift cards and Southwest Vacations)
• 2x points at restaurants and gas stations
• 2x points on Southwest partner hotel and car rental purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on local transit, commuting, and ride-sharing (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services, plus select streaming (through December 31, 2025)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 7,500 bonus points each year after the cardmember anniversary

This card can help you earn elite status even faster. Cardholders get 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent. Additionally, cardholders get a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost.

Bottom Line:

The Southwest Priority card is the most premium consumer Southwest card on the market. It earns the most points on Southwest purchases and earns the most elite-qualifying points of any personal Southwest card.

Southwest Credit Card Comparison (Business Cards)

Southwest Premier Business Card

Small business owners don’t need to feel left out — the Southwest Premier Business card provides nearly identical benefits and perks to the Southwest Premier card but also includes free employee cards, too.

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Business 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.

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

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.

Welcome Offer

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

60,000

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$780

Annual Fee

$149

APR

19.74% - 28.24% 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

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

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 on the first $8,000 in combined spend at gas stations and restaurants each anniversary year
• 2x points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners (through December 31, 2025)
  

Cons

• $149 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 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 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per 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: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Here’s how this card can help your business earn lots of Southwest Rapid Rewards points.

• 3x points on Southwest purchases (including Southwest gift cards and Southwest Vacations)
• 2x points at restaurants and gas stations (up to $8,000 in spending combined per year)
• 2x points on Southwest partner hotel and car rental purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on local transit, commuting, and ride-sharing (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services, plus select streaming (through December 31, 2025)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 6,000 bonus points each year after the cardmember anniversary

The benefits of the Southwest Premier Business card mirror those of the personal version of the card:

• First free checked bag
• Complimentary Standard or Preferred seat 48 hours prior to departure, when available (for flights with assigned seating starting January 27, 2026)
• Group 5 boarding (starting January 27, 2026)
• 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins for flights in 2025
• 15% promo code each year after the cardmember anniversary for a flight (excludes Basic fares)

The major difference has to do with earning elite status. The Southwest Premier Business card earns 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 spent, which is higher than the earning rate on the personal version.

Southwest Performance Business Card

The Southwest Performance Business card is the most premium (read: most expensive) of the Southwest Airlines credit cards.

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business 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.

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits through 2025, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits through 2025, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

Welcome Offer

Earn 120,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

120,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,560

Annual Fee

$299

APR

19.74% - 28.24% 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 (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 through December 31, 2025, and helps you reach higher levels of Southwest elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
• 2x points per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
• 2x points per $1 spent on all hotel purchases

Cons

• $299 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 120,000 points after you spend $10,000 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 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
• Earn 2X points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
• Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Southwest Performance Business card has the most robust earning categories of any of the 5 Southwest credit cards.

• 4x points on Southwest purchases (including Southwest gift cards and Southwest Vacations)
• 2x points at restaurants and gas stations
• 2x points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
• 2x points on local transit, commuting, and ride-sharing
• 3x points on Southwest partner hotel and car rental purchases (through December 31, 2025)
• 2x points on social media and search engine advertising and internet, cable, and phone services (through December 31, 2025)
• 1x points on all other purchases
• 9,000 bonus points each year after the cardmember anniversary

For flights beginning on January 27, 2026, the Southwest Performance Business card offers a complimentary Preferred seat at the time of booking and the ability to upgrade to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure. Plus, you get Group 5 boarding.

Additional benefits of this card include:

• Free checked bag (for cardholder and up to 8 additional guests on the same reservation)
• 10,000-point Companion Pass boost
• Up to $120 in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS application fee credit
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• $500 fee credit for point transfers (through December 31, 2025)
• Up to 365 Wi-Fi credits per year (through December 31, 2025)
• 4 Upgraded Boardings (for 2025 flights only)

Which Southwest Credit Card Is Best?

The right Southwest card for you depends on how you travel, what benefits you’re looking for, and your elite status goals.

If you want the least expensive way to get a free checked bag, the ability to select a seat 48 hours before departure, and Group 5 boarding on every Southwest flight you take, the Southwest Plus card is the best option.

If the ability to upgrade to an Extra Legroom seat for free is important, get either the Southwest Priority card or the Southwest Performance Business card.

If you want a card that helps you earn Southwest elite status, consider the Southwest Priority card or the Southwest Performance Business card, which offer the highest return on spend — 2,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent.

If you want to earn the Southwest Companion Pass, it probably makes sense to get the card with the biggest welcome bonus, as those points count toward Companion Pass qualification. Don’t forget that all Southwest cards come with a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost, which means you’d only need to earn 125,000 points in a calendar year instead of 135,000 to earn the Companion Pass.

Hot Tip:

If you earn Southwest elite status through flying, a Southwest credit card may not be needed, since many of the biggest perks (free checked bag, upgraded seating, Group 5 boarding) are already A-List and A-List Preferred benefits.

Final Thoughts

Southwest Airlines has 5 credit cards, including 3 consumer cards and 2 business cards. Every card comes with standard benefits to appeal to Southwest Airlines flyers: a free checked bag, Group 5 boarding, and the ability to choose a seat for free 48 hours before departure. Additional perks, including the ability to earn elite qualifying points and to upgrade to Extra Legroom seats, come with the more premium cards.