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 (current special 85,000) point signup bonus after spending $1,500 (currently $2,000) in the first 3 months with meaningful 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 but without the added benefits of 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
- Receive a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost annually
Additional perks include 25% back on inflight purchases and the ability to earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent. 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 as the Plus card has a $99 fee.
- If you’ve opened another personal Southwest card within the past 24 months, you would be ineligible for this bonus due to Chase’s rules.
What to Know About Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest airlines carries the most passengers in North America.
- Their points are among the easiest to earn, plus they have solid value.
- They’re partnered with Chase Ultimate Rewards, our favorite point partner ecosystem.
- Southwest moved to reserved seating and now charges for bags, two features that once made them unique.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards aren’t the most glamorous, but they’re the utility points that just work.
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 (if any) to keep long-term after earning the sign-up 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-mile signup bonus, 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 (current special 85,000)-mile welcome offer, a $149 annual fee, 6,000 anniversary points, preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure (when available), and the ability to earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent.
- Rapid Rewards Priority Card: Southwest’s premium personal card with a 60,000-mile bonus, a $229 annual fee, 7,500 anniversary points, preferred seating at booking, Extra Legroom seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure (when available), and 2,500 TQPs earned for every $5,000 spent.
All three personal cards include a free first checked bag, Group 5 boarding, and a 10,000-point annual Companion Pass boost. 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.
If your goal is earning the Southwest Companion Pass through signup bonuses, you’ll usually want to pair a personal card with one of Southwest’s business cards. Chase’s bonus eligibility rules prevent earning bonuses on multiple personal Southwest cards within 24 months. The Performance Business card offers an 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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Estimated Next Offer
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:
