Bottom Line

Like most points people, we really like Southwest. Not just because everyone gets 2 free check-in bags, no blackout dates, no seat restrictions, and the ability to cancel or change flights with no penalties. Beyond those goodies -- this is a great credit card to get as one of your personal Southwest credit cards because the sign-up bonus is hearty, and the annual fee is only $69. That said, you should know that Southwest doesn't allow you to collect sign-up bonuses within 24 months of each other on two of the same type of cards. So if you've already collected a sign up bonus on a personal card, you might want to hold off for 2 years -- or go for a Southwest business card option (as long as you haven't maxed out your 5/24 limit with Chase).

Why You Might Want This Card

Half Way To A Companion Pass For $12,000 Annual Spend

This card, like the Southwest Priority, gives you a heap of points -- but not right away. You’ll get 40,000 after spending only $1,000. You can get another 20,000 points, but only after you spend $12,000 in a year. That's not too hard, considering that your rent or mortgage alone is probably close to that -- if not more. 60,000 points puts you almost to the half-way mark for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. All of that for the lowest annual fee of any Chase Southwest card, just $69.This particular card doesn't offer as many perks as the other Southwest cards. But the annual fee is also much lower. Even so, you still get some nice perks. Each anniversary you get 3,000 bonus points; 2x points on Southwest airlines; all points count toward companion pass and little extras like car insurance; plus concierge service and purchase protection.

Check out our Southwest Rapid Rewards page for more details on how to best use Southwest Points.

Exceptions To The Rule

About Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest is perhaps the most loved and hated points program.

It’s loved because of their Companion Pass and the sheer number of free flights you can earn with Southwest cards and Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers. We’ve booked 8 round trip flights with the bonus of just two cards.

It's hated by some because they don’t like the cattle boarding process and the lack of business or first class. Those shortcoming aside -- if your goal is to get as many free domestic flights from point A to point B as possible, Southwest is tough to beat.

If you have earned the Southwest Companion Pass, this is also one of the highest values of Chase Ultimate Rewards partner transfers.

Check out our full article on How to Earth the Southwest Companion Pass here.

Where Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Fits In This Point Ecosystem

Personal Experience