Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
This is the ideal card for travelers who fly Southwest regularly. The $229 annual fee can be offset quickly through perks like free first checked bags, preferred seat selection at booking, and Extra Legroom Seat upgrades within 48 hours of departure. All of these perks are for the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers. The card also includes stronger anniversary perks and Companion Pass earning boosts than the lower-tier Southwest cards. If Southwest is your preferred airline and you fly it even a few times per year, the Priority card can provide consistent real-world value well beyond the signup bonus.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is the top-tier personal Southwest card. While it carries a higher $229 annual fee, it also offers the strongest mix of seating perks, travel benefits, and long-term value for frequent Southwest flyers. The card includes a solid 60,000 (current special 90,000) point signup bonus plus several premium benefits that help justify the higher cost.
- Preferred seat selection at booking: Southwest’s new seating model makes this one of the card’s most valuable perks. The benefit applies to the cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers on the same reservation.
- Extra Legroom seat upgrades: Unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure when available, also valid for up to 8 passengers on the reservation.
- Free first checked bag: The cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers receive a free first checked bag.
- Group 5 boarding: The cardmember and up to 8 passengers board with Group 5.
- Companion Pass boost: Receive 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually.
- Anniversary bonus: Receive 7,500 anniversary points each year.
Cardmembers also receive 25% back on inflight purchases and earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually. For Southwest loyalists who fly even just a few times per year, the ongoing benefits can easily outweigh the annual fee.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card may not be the right fit if:
- You rarely fly Southwest and the perks won’t offset the annual fee
- You’ve earned a Southwest personal card sign-up bonus within the last 24 months and are ineligible for another until that window resets
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 Priority Credit Card Fits In The Southwest Rapid Rewards Ecosystem
There are three personal Southwest cards and two business cards, giving travelers several ways to earn the Southwest Companion Pass if that is your ultimate goal when opening these cards. The Priority card sits at the top of the personal lineup, offering the airline’s strongest set of seating perks and travel benefits.
- Rapid Rewards Plus Card: Southwest’s entry-level personal card with a $99 annual fee, a 50,000 point welcome offer, 3,000 anniversary points, and standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available.
- Rapid Rewards Premier Card: Mid-tier option with a $149 annual fee, a 55,000 point bonus, 6,000 anniversary points, preferred seating within 48 hours of departure when available, and the ability to earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent.
- Rapid Rewards Priority Card: Southwest’s premium personal card with a $229 annual fee, a 60,000 (current special 90,000) point welcome offer, 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 cards offer a free first checked bag, Group 5 boarding, and a 10,000-point annual Companion Pass boost. The Priority card makes the most sense for frequent Southwest flyers who value better seating options and enhanced travel perks, while occasional travelers may find the Plus or Premier cards easier to justify at their lower annual fees.
If your main goal is earning the Companion Pass through signup bonuses, you’ll generally want to pair one personal Southwest card with one of Southwest’s business cards as Chase’s bonus eligibility rules prevent earning bonuses on multiple personal Southwest cards within 24 months. The Premier Business card is the lower tier card while the Performance Business is the higher tier card. Neither will count against your 5/24 status.
My Experience, No Filter
I’ll admit it. Southwest isn’t my favorite airline when it comes to the in-flight experience. The boarding process can be stressful, and the lack of seat assignments isn’t ideal. But the points? Incredibly easy to earn and redeem. And with no change fees or blackout dates, Southwest makes it easy to book, cancel, or adjust plans as needed. That flexibility has made a big difference for me. I’ve used points to fly family in for Holiday visits, sent my kids to visit friends across the country, and booked spontaneous weekend getaways, all without spending cash. I may not love the flight itself, but I love what the points allow me to do.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
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Historical Card Offers
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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:
