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Southwest Airlines offers some amazing co-branded credit cards that are available with Chase. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is my favorite of the three personal cards. This post will focus on the card's new benefits and the amazing welcome bonus.
The Southwest Priority Card is the most expensive personal Chase Southwest Card with an annual fee, but I believe it's worth it for the vast majority of customers. Why? The card provides amazing perks to anyone who travels Southwest at any frequency.
People love Southwest because they can earn the Southwest Companion Pass and have no change fees. They also get two free checked bags. Because of its extensive route network, Southwest is only a practical airline that can be flown on occasion. There are many benefits to having Southwest points and benefits.
Southwest Priority Card Bonus: Get Up to 100,000 Points
Southwest Priority Card offers the best two-part bonus ever, up to 100,000 Rapid Rewards Points
Spend $2,000 in the first three months to earn 50,000 Rapid Rewards points
Spend $12,000 in the first 12 months to earn an additional 50,000 Rapid Reward points
Rapid Rewards is a revenue-based frequent traveler program. Each point you earn will generally get you approximately 1.2 cents towards airfare. The bonus should give you approximately $1,200 towards airfare. Companion Pass can also be earned easily with this bonus.
You can get lots of travel with 100K Rapid Rewards points
Restrictions on the Welcome Bonus
The card is not available to anyone who has a Southwest Rapid Rewards personal card or Chase. Anyone who is currently a Southwest Rapid Rewards personal or has received a Southwest Rapid Rewards welcome bonus in the last 24 months cannot apply for the card.
You are still eligible if your Southwest business credit card is active.
Rule 5/24
Chase cards, in addition to restrictions on the Southwest cards you hold, are subject to the 5/24 rule. This means that Chase cards won't usually be approved if you have opened more than five new cards accounts within the last 24 months.
Southwest Priority Card $149 Annual Charge
Annual fees for the Southwest Priority Card are $149. The annual fees for other personal cards are $69 and $99 respectively, so this card's annual fee is slightly higher. As I will explain, the premium annual fee is justified by the benefits.
Earn points with the Southwest Priority card
The Southwest Priority Card has recently updated its rewards structure and now offers these points for credit card purchases:
Purchases from Southwest earn 3X points
2X points for local transit and commute, including rideshare
2X points for internet, cable, and phone services.
All other purchases earn 1X points
Personally, I would not put spending on the card unless you are going for Companion Pass or A-List status. There are better cards for everyday expenses. These are solid bonus categories.
Get 3x points for Southwest purchases when you use the Priority Card
Southwest Companion Pass
The Southwest Airlines Companion Pass is one of the best travel deals. You can easily get it with the Southwest Priority Card bonus.
You can travel with someone for the whole year on Southwest Companion Pass, regardless of whether they are traveling on an award or cash ticket. All taxes and fees will be paid by them. This amazing deal doubles the value of Southwest flights.
Companion Pass normally requires 125,000 Rapid Rewards points per year. However, only certain types or points accrual are eligible, including Southwest credit card purchases. In 2021, Southwest will give all Rapid Rewards members 25,000 Companion Pass points. This means that you don't need to have 100,000 points to be eligible. This includes the welcome bonus.
Southwest A-List Status
The Southwest Priority Card allows you to earn unlimited Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) in addition to Companion Pass. For every $10,000 you spend on the card, you will earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) towards A-List status.
Southwest Airlines' version of status is A-List. It offers perks such as priority boarding and a 25% bonus on points. Same-day standby is also available.
A-List status normally requires 35,000 TQPs per calendar year. So spending on a Southwest Priority Card might help you achieve that. It is the only personal Southwest card to offer this feature. It all depends on how much Southwest would charge you for your flights.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Southwest Priority Card does not charge foreign transaction fees so it could be useful for international spending. It is also a Visa, which is widely accepted around the world.
Perks of the Incredible Southwest Priority Card
You should get the Southwest Priority Card because of the perks. These include anniversary bonus points and upgraded boardings. A $75 Southwest travel credit is available each year. 25% off eligible inflight purchases.
Let's take a closer look at each one.
Southwest Priority Card 7,500 Anniversary Points
Each year, you will receive 7,500 bonus point on your cardmember anniversary. You will need to redeem 83 points for every dollar of airfare. Southwest Rapid Rewards is a revenue-based frequent traveler program. Each Rapid Rewards point will earn you approximately 1.2 cents toward the cost of an airline flight.
With those 7,500 points you can book Southwest airfare worth $90. This recoups nearly two-thirds the annual fee.
Every year, earn anniversary bonus points by using the card
Southwest Priority Card $75 Year Credit
Each anniversary year, the Southwest Priority Card gives you a $75 credit. The 7,500 point anniversary bonus is only available for 12 months. However, the credit can be accessed immediately.
This works like this: The first $75 of Southwest flight purchases per cardmember year will be refunded. Once the eligible charge has been posted to your account, the statement credit will be issued.
If you spend $75 per year on Southwest Airlines tickets, or taxes and fees if redeeming points, then this should be more or less worth its face value.
This benefit, along with the 7,500-point annual bonus, equates to $165 in value. That's more than the annual fees.
Southwest Priority Card Upgraded Boardings
You get four upgraded boarders per anniversary year for owning the Southwest Priority Card (beginning with the first year).
This works like this: You will be reimbursed for up to four upgraded boards in positions A1-15 on the day you depart.
Although the eight-week reimbursement period for upgraded boarding fees is expected to be completed, it usually takes much longer. It is difficult to assign a dollar value to the upgraded boardings benefit because the cost of each flight varies.
Southwest Priority Card Drink & Wireless Savings
You can get 25% off your Southwest Priority Card purchase and inflight Wi Fi. Statement credits will be issued for 25% within two billing cycles after your purchase, though it is often much quicker.
Priority Card: Save on Inflight Purchases
Southwest Priority Card Travel & Purchase Insurance
The Southwest Priority Card provides a range of travel and purchase protection benefits including:
Car rental collision damage waiver coverage. It is secondary in the USA and primary internationally
Baggage delay insurance can cover you up to $100 perday for three days if your bag is delayed more than six hours
You can get lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 for damaged or lost bags
The maximum amount of coverage for travel accident insurance is $250,000 to500,000 depending on the circumstances
Extended warranty protection is a way to extend your US manufacturer warranty for three years or less.
Purchase protection covers you for up 120 days in case of damage or theft. It can cover up to $500 per claim, and up to $50,000 per account.
You should read the cardmember agreement to learn all terms and conditions.
Yes, the Southwest Priority Card is worth it
This card is worth every penny if you are eligible to receive the Southwest Priority Card. This is the best time to apply for the card due to the generous bonus. This card is better than the other personal Southwest cards.
You get a 7,500 point bonus anniversary bonus each year, a $75 Southwest credit and more for the $149 annual card fee. We will also be discussing other benefits of this card and Southwest cards generally.
Southwest Performance Business Card Complement
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Credit Card is a great way to add a Southwest Priority Card to your existing card. The card offers outstanding perks such as:
After spending $5,000 in the first three months, you will receive a welcome bonus of 80,000 Rapid Reward points
An anniversary bonus of 9,000 points
Four upgrades per year for boardings
Southwest offers up to 365 $8 Wi Fi credits per year, which could allow you to access a lot more Wi-Fi.
500 points per year transfer fees
A global entry or TSA Pre-Check credit
You have the opportunity to earn A-List status and Companion Passes by spending
The Wi-Fi credit makes this card the best Southwest card.
Compare This Card to Other Southwest Personal Cards
The Priority Card is not available from Southwest. Southwest and Chase also offer the $69 annual fees Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card (review), and the $99 annual fee Southwest Rapid rewards Premier Credit Card. The welcome bonuses for all cards are the same, but the perks can be significantly different.
Why is the Priority Card's $149 annual fee almost universally superior?
The Premier and Plus do not offer a $75 annual Southwest credit. This should be more or less worth the face value. To make a direct comparison, it's almost like lowering your out of pocket for the Priority Card, from $149 to $74
Priority Card gives you 7,500 anniversary bonus point, the Plus has 3,000 bonus points, and the Premier has 6,000 bonus points.
These two perks alone are enough to show that Priority Card is worth the annual cost. This does not include upgraded boardings, better rewards structures, the ability earn A-List status by spending and many other perks.
Are You a Chase Ultimate Rewards Member?
Chase Ultimate Rewards is a partner of Southwest Rapid Rewards and points transfer at a 1:1 ratio. You will earn more points through Ultimate Rewards than Rapid Rewards. Your points are also much more flexible.
Are you able to earn Rapid Rewards points with either a Southwest or Chase Ultimate Rewards card?
Companion Pass and A-List status can only be earned by spending on a Southwest card. Ultimate Rewards points do not count towards Companion Pass.
You don't care about Companion Pass and A-List, but you want as many Rapid Rewards points possible. Earn points with Ultimate Rewards and then transfer them to other accounts.
These are some of the top cards to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It offers 3x points for dining, online grocery shopping, and select streaming services. The card also has 2x points for travel. There is a $95 annual cost.
Review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It offers 3x points for dining and travel. There is also a $300 annual travel credit. The card comes with a $550 annual fee.
Review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. It offers 3x points for the first $150,000 in combined purchases each year on travel, shipping, and internet services. The card also allows you to make advertising purchases with search engines and social media sites.
The following cards have no annual fees and earn points which can be converted to Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio when used in conjunction with the cards above:
Chase Ultimate Rewards - Earn Southwest Points
Summary of Southwest Priority Cards
Southwest Airlines personal cards co-branded under Southwest Airlines are currently offering the best bonuses ever. This is a great opportunity to get one of these cards. It can be difficult to decide which of the three Southwest credit card makes sense. I am happy to report that this is the case.
My answer when I give credit card advice is that it all depends on whether it makes sense to apply for a card. If you do not fly Southwest frequently, this card is for you.
The Priority card is superior to the Premier and Plus Cards
The Priority Card is well-worth the cost for its long-term benefits.
Follow this link to find out more information about the Southwest Priority Card and how you can apply.
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