Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Premier card sits in the middle of Southwest’s three personal cards, combining a 55,000-point signup bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months with useful ongoing perks for regular Southwest travelers. Cardmembers receive preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure and a free first checked bag for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers. With a moderate $149 annual fee, the Premier card is a strong fit for travelers who fly Southwest a few times per year and want more perks than the Plus card without paying for the Priority card’s premium benefits.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card is the middle-tier personal Southwest card, offering stronger ongoing perks than the Plus card without the higher annual fee of the Priority card. The seating, boarding, and checked bag benefits apply to the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation.
- Select a preferred seat within 48 hours of departure when available
- Group 5 boarding
- First checked bag free
- Earn 6,000 anniversary points each year
- Receive a 15% promo code each year on your cardmember anniversary
Additional perks include 25% back on inflight purchases. Beginning January 1, 2027, card spending will earn 1 Tier Qualifying Point per $1 spent toward Southwest status and Companion Pass benefits. For travelers who fly Southwest a few times per year, the Premier card strikes a strong balance between annual fee and ongoing value.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be for you if:
- You want the lowest annual fee possible, since the Plus card has a $99 annual fee.
- You currently hold another personal Southwest card or earned a welcome bonus on one within the past 24 months, making you ineligible for another personal Southwest card.
What to Know About Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards is undergoing a major transformation, with even more changes coming in 2027
- Rapid Rewards points remain straightforward to earn and redeem, with relatively consistent value on Southwest flights.
- Southwest partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards, offering additional ways to earn points.
- Reserved seating, checked bag fees, and new fare bundles have eliminated many of the features that once made Southwest unique.
- A major loyalty program overhaul in 2027 will change elite status and Companion Pass qualification, while introducing international partner awards and additional premium benefits.
How The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card Fits In The Southwest Rapid Rewards Ecosystem
The Premier card sits squarely between the Plus and Priority cards in terms of cost and benefits. If you're deciding which one to keep long term after earning the signup bonus, consider how often you fly and which perks you’ll actually use.
Here’s how they stack up:
- Rapid Rewards Plus Card: Southwest’s entry-level personal card with a 50,000-point signup bonus and a $99 annual fee, 3,000 anniversary points, and standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available.
- Rapid Rewards Premier Card: Mid-tier option with a 55,000-point welcome offer and a $149 annual fee, 6,000 anniversary points, and preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available.
- Rapid Rewards Priority Card: Southwest’s premium personal card with a 60,000-point bonus and a $229 annual fee, 7,500 anniversary points, preferred seating at booking, and Extra Legroom Seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure when available.
All three personal cards include a free first checked bag and Group 5 boarding. Beginning January 1, 2027, spending on all Southwest credit cards will earn 1 Tier Qualifying Point per $1 spent toward Southwest status and Companion Pass benefits, so status earning will no longer be a differentiator between the three cards. The Premier card makes the most sense for travelers who fly Southwest a few times per year and want better seating perks and anniversary value without paying for the Priority card’s premium benefits.
For now, signup bonuses can still help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass under the old rules if you are approved for the cards by December 2, 2026. If you want to pursue that strategy, you’ll generally need to pair a personal card with one of Southwest’s business cards because Chase’s bonus eligibility rules prevent you from earning bonuses on multiple personal Southwest cards within 24 months. The Performance Business Card offers a 80,000-point bonus with a $299 annual fee, while the Premier Business Card offers 60,000 points with a $149 annual fee.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Rules
Card Extras
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Historical Card Offers
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Application Rules
You're not eligible for a new card bonus if you have received a bonus from a personal Southwest card within the last 24 months
Chase applications will be declined if 5 new cards have been added to your personal credit report in the past 24 months.
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Chase card of any kind within 30 days
Chase will decline your application you apply for a 5th Chase card (personal or BUSINESS) in 6 months
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
