Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $149.00 |
| Regular APR | 19.24 Min. of (6.75+12.49) and 29.99%–27.74 Min. of (6.75+20.99) and 29.99% variable APR. |
About this card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is a decent option for Southwest loyalists but falls short of being a top-tier travel card. The APR is high (1.2/5.0), making it costly for those who carry a balance. The rewards program (3.3/5.0) is solid, especially the 3x points on Southwest purchases and the annual anniversary bonus, but redemption is limited to Southwest flights, reducing flexibility. The $149 annual fee (2.6/5.0) can be justified by frequent Southwest flyers who utilize the free checked bags, discounts and bonus points, however, it is not compelling for others. Considering the reputation analysis, the card occupies an awkward middle ground between the Plus and Priority cards, and the reputation is good due to Chase's backing. Strengths include a decent sign-up bonus, high rewards rate on Southwest purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. Weaknesses include the annual fee, the high APR, limited rewards categories, and the need to spend to qualify for A-List status. Overall, the card is best suited for dedicated Southwest flyers who can maximize its benefits.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate on Southwest purchases
- Anniversary bonus points
- No foreign transaction fees
- First checked bag free
- Discounts on Southwest flights and inflight purchases
Things to consider
- Annual fee
- High regular APR
- Limited rewards categories
- Spending required to qualify for A-List status
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn 55,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards
- 3X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
- Earn 2 points for each dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year.
- Earn 1 point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
- 1 point on balance transfers: You'll earn 1 point for each $1 of the first $15,000 of balance transfers made during the first 90 days from your original account open date.
Other features
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- 6,000 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary.
- Complimentary Preferred seat - Select a Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure valued, on average, at $70 round trip, when available.
- 15% Flight Discount - Receive a 15% promo code each year on your Cardmember anniversary (Excludes Basic fare).
- Spend your way to A-List - Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually accelerating your way to A-List status.
- 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year.
- Boarding benefit - Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No change fees.
- Unlimited reward seats with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
- Your points don't expire, a benefit of the Rapid Rewards program.
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement - Provides reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during a covered trip.
- Baggage Delay Insurance - Reimburses you up to $100 a day for up to 3 days for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
- Extended Warranty Protection - Extends the time period of the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from the date of purchase.
- Purchase Protection - Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
- Contactless - Just Tap To Pay
- Apply for a card, use it the same day - Receive instant access to your card by adding it to a digital wallet, like Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
- Doordash - Get one-year complimentary DashPass, membership for both DoorDash and Caviar, that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. Activate by Dec 31, 2027.
- DashPass members get up to $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant DoorDash orders through Dec 31, 2027.
- Chase Pay Over Time - After purchase: Pay off an eligible purchase you've already made of $100 or more in smaller, equal monthly payments. No Interest- just a fixed monthly fee with plan durations that range from 3-24 months.
- Chase Pay Over Time - At checkout: Orders totaling $50 or more using your eligible Chase credit card at Amazon.com could be eligible for Chase Pay Over Time. You will be able to view Chase Pay Over Time plan options at checkout.
Additional Notes
This product is available to you if you do not have a current Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card and have not received a new Cardmember bonus within the last 24 months. This does not apply to Business Card and Employee Credit Card products.

