Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Large welcome offer worth an estimated $688
- Annual fee
- $149
- Welcome offer
- ~$687.50
- Annual benefits value
- -$74
- Est. 1st-year value
- $613.50
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Our review
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is the mid-tier option in Southwest's personal card lineup, sitting between the entry-level Plus and the top-tier Priority. It offers a moderate annual fee, a solid batch of anniversary points, and the same core Southwest loyalty perks, making it a sensible middle ground for regular Southwest flyers who do not need the Priority card's extra frills.
It ranks in the middle of our Southwest cards because its value proposition is a balance rather than a standout. Like the rest of the lineup, its worth is tied to Southwest and the Companion Pass, and it earns tier-qualifying points on spending toward A-List status, which the cheapest Southwest card does not. But several of its perks are also available on the less expensive Plus card, which narrows its appeal.
The card earns elevated rewards on Southwest purchases and bonus rewards in a couple of everyday categories, and it delivers a yearly batch of anniversary points along with a boost of Companion Pass qualifying points. As with the rest of the lineup, Southwest reworked its boarding and seating during 2025 and 2026, so confirm the current benefit details shown above and in the card terms before applying.
We like this card for Southwest flyers who want a bit more than the entry-level card, including the elite-status boost, without paying the Priority card's premium. Its anniversary points recover a meaningful share of the annual fee for anyone who keeps it long term.
This card is best suited for regular Southwest flyers who want a reasonable annual fee and a faster path to the Companion Pass and A-List status. Travelers who want the richest annual bonuses should compare it against the Priority card, and those who rarely fly Southwest should consider a flexible travel card instead.
Why we like it
- Every point earned counts toward the Southwest Companion Pass, and the card adds a yearly boost of Companion Pass qualifying points to speed things along.
- A batch of anniversary points posts each year with no spending requirement, offsetting part of the annual fee.
- It earns tier-qualifying points on card spending toward A-List and A-List Preferred status, which the entry-level Plus card does not.
- Rapid Rewards points are easy to redeem for Southwest flights with no blackout dates and pricing that tracks the cash fare.
- No foreign transaction fees, which makes it a practical travel companion abroad.
Who it's best for
- Regular Southwest flyers who want a moderate annual fee with a full set of core Southwest perks.
- Travelers working toward the Companion Pass who also want a boost toward A-List elite status.
- Cardholders who do not need the Priority card's extra seating perks or travel credit.
Welcome bonus
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of Rapid Rewards points after you meet a minimum spending requirement in the first few months. The exact figures change over time, so confirm the current offer and the estimated value shown above before applying.
The full welcome bonus counts toward the Companion Pass, so applying early in the year can give a helpful head start.
Using your rewards
Points are redeemed for Southwest flights with no blackout dates, and award prices generally track the cash fare, so there is no award chart to decode.
Points earned on this card, including welcome and anniversary bonuses, count toward the Southwest Companion Pass.
Rapid Rewards points cannot be transferred to other loyalty programs, so their value depends on Southwest. Points moved into Rapid Rewards from Chase Ultimate Rewards do not count toward the Companion Pass.
Airport lounge access
None. This card does not include airport lounge access.
Foreign transaction fees
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card charges no foreign transaction fees, so it is a reasonable card to use on purchases abroad.
Major credits & annual benefits
A batch of anniversary Rapid Rewards points each year, credited without a spending requirement.
A yearly boost of Companion Pass qualifying points, shown above, that shortens the path to the pass.
Tier-qualifying points earned on card spending toward A-List and A-List Preferred status, which is otherwise earned only by flying Southwest.
A free first checked bag for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation, plus seating and boarding perks and a discount on in-flight purchases. Because Southwest changed its boarding and seating during 2025 and 2026, review the current terms to confirm how these perks apply today.
Insurance & protections
As a Chase-issued Visa, the card generally includes baggage delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, and select purchase protections.
Coverage requires paying with the card and meeting the benefit terms, and specific limits and exclusions apply. Review the current benefit guide before relying on any protection.
Fees & tradeoffs
The Premier card's main tradeoff is that several of its perks are also available on the cheaper Plus card, so the extra fee mostly buys higher anniversary points and the elite-status boost.
Rewards are useful only for Southwest, and the card offers no lounge access or application-fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Final verdict
For a regular Southwest flyer who wants the elite-status boost without the Priority card's premium, the Premier card strikes a fair balance, and its anniversary points plus the welcome bonus can outweigh the annual fee. The estimated value shown above helps illustrate that.
If you want the richest Southwest perks, compare it against the Priority card; if you rarely fly Southwest, a flexible travel card that transfers to Rapid Rewards is usually the better pick.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $110
- Welcome offer
- $687.50
- Annual fee
- −$149
- Estimated first-year net
- +$648.50
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 55,000 points after $1,500 in spend within 3 months
$687.50
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$75
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
6,000 Anniversary Points 6,000 Rapid Rewards points awarded each account anniversary. | Annual | $75 |
10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year, counting toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass. | Annual | $0 |
First Checked Bag Free First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to 8 others on the same reservation. Estimated value ~$35 per checked bag (Southwest's published first-bag fee). | per_visit | $35 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- Large welcome offer worth an estimated $688
Maybe skip it if
- Ongoing benefits may not cover the annual fee on their own
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- $149
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Card network
- Varies
- Recommended credit
- Good to Excellent (690+)
- Rewards currency
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | $149 | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$687.50 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $613.50 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | -$74 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 3.6 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
