The post has been updated with the most recent credit card information.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Overview

The Southwest RapidRewards Priority Credit Card has a $75 annual Southwest credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points. The card rating is 12.

*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Southwest is known for its customer-friendly travel policies and reputation of going above and beyond for passengers. It doesn't offer lounges, any type of premium cabin or seating with extra legroom. Frequent flyers can use a full suite of co branded credit cards to fulfill their travel goals.

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The most premium credit card in the Southwest lineup is the Southwest Rapid rewards priority credit card. It offers hundreds of dollars in value with Southwest each year, and a new sign-up bonus of 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.

Is its benefits worth the yearly fee? Let us know what you think.

Who is this card for?

(Photo by Owen CL/Unsplash)

The highest earning Southwest card is the Southwest Priority Card. Those who are loyal to Southwest will benefit from this.

Chase has a rule regarding Southwest cards. If you have opened more than five credit cards in the last year, you may not be approved. If you earned a sign-up bonus in the past 24 months on any personal Southwest card, you can't open a new card.

Current Sign-up bonus

If you spend $1,000 in the first three months of your account opening, you'll get 50,000 points. 50,000 RapidRewards points are worth $750.

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Southwest Airlines is adding more routes.

Main benefits and perks

Southwest flyers should be able to use the card perks to offset the yearly fee.

  • 7,500-point anniversary bonus: Each year on your card-opening anniversary, you’ll receive 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, worth about $112, based on TPG’s valuations.
  • $75 annual Southwest travel credit: During each cardmember year, you’ll receive a $75 travel credit that can be used on most Southwest purchases, including tickets (but excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases), dropping the card’s actual cost to $74.
  • Four upgraded boardings per year: Use your card to pay for A1-A15 boarding spots and you’ll be reimbursed the cost up to four times per year. Ordinarily, upgraded boarding costs between $30 and $50 per round-trip upgrade, depending on the itinerary, so this perk can be worth up to $200 per year. As of August 2022, you can now purchase upgraded boardings online, through the app or at the airport.
  • 25% inflight savings: Receive 25% back in the form of a statement credit after you use your card to purchase inflight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging and movies.
  • Tier qualifying points boost: Earn 1,500 TQPs that count toward A-List and A-List Preferred status for each $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.

Lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty coverage, and purchase protection are included in the Southwest specific benefits. The card has no foreign transaction fees so you don't have to pay any.

All Southwest flyers don't pay change or cancellation fees, they get two free checked bags, and they have access to the Rapid rewards program. Many are persuaded to invest their rewards earnings with Southwest because of these policies.

Earning and redeeming

The Southwest Priority Card will give you a certain amount of money.

  • 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
  • 2 points per dollar spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
  • 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

(Photo by Max Prosperi)

The Southwest Rapid rewards priority credit card is very easy to use. The cash value of the ticket is what determines Southwest award prices. You should never have a hard time getting back your points. You can redeposit your award if your plans change.

Many points and miles enthusiasts stay away from these types of rewards, but they can often provide more value than airline miles. Depending on the time of year, you can fly from Los Angeles to Chicago for just 5,743 points. You can find saver-award availability on American Airlines and United.

The picture was taken by Southwest Airlines.

Southwest has flash sales where you can score awards for less than 1,500 points. Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Mexico are fun destinations to visit.

How does the Southwest Priority compare with other Southwest personal cards?

Personal cards are offered by Southwest Airlines. It can be hard to choose the best card for your wallet because both the Priority and the premier cards have the same sign up bonus.

Southwest credit cards have earning rates, perks, and annual fees.

Card featureSouthwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Annual fee$69.$99.$149.
Sign-up bonus50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Anniversary points bonus 3,000 Rapid Rewards points.6,000 Rapid Rewards points.7,500 Rapid Rewards points.
Earning rates
  • 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
  • 2 points per dollar spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
  • 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
  • 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
  • 2 points per dollar spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
  • 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
  • 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
  • 2 points per dollar spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
  • 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Other perks25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi.$75 annual Southwest travel credit.

There are four upgraded boardings per annum.

Back on in flight drinks and internet.

Tier qualifying pointsN/A.Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $10,000 spent in a calendar year (with no limits).Earn 1,500 TQPs for each $10,000 spent in a calendar year (with no limits).
Upgraded boardings (when available)N/A.N/A.4 per year.
Early Bird Check-In2 per year.2 per year.N/A.
Foreign transaction fee3%.None.None.

If you fly Southwest two or more times a year, you should use the Southwest Priority Card. The card has an annual fee of 74. You will come out $38.50 ahead just by having the card if you factor in the anniversary bonus. The card's other perks are not considered before.

The Southwest Priority card also competes with other Southwest cards. It's possible to go head to head with more general travel cards, which may give you a chance to earn Rapid Rewards points.

Southwest points can be earned by using two cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. You can easily transfer your points from Southwest to the airline with either of these cards. An annual fee of 95 dollars is paid by the Sapphire Preferred.

  • 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal.
  • 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025).
  • 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
  • 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase Travel Portal.
  • 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Primary car rental coverage and trip delay protection are included in the benefits.

The Chase preferred card review is related.

The Reserve offers 3 points per dollar on all travel and dining purchases, as well as many of the same travel protections. You will get a $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access. It comes with a higher annual fee.

One of these cards may be your best bet if you want to convert your earnings to Southwest points, but still want the flexibility of a points program.

If you want Southwest-specific perks when you travel, the Southwest Priority card is a good choice.

Bottom line

You can get the Southwest Priority Credit Card if you fly Southwest at least a few times annually. The card's everyday earning rates leave something to be desired, but impressive built in perks like a $75 annual travel credit and 7,500 point anniversary bonus easily make up for it.

You can apply for a credit card here.

Additional reporting was done by Ryan Wilcox and others.