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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Apply Now

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card offers strong middle-ground value for frequent or aspiring Southwest travelers. With a generous sign-up bonus, Companion Pass boost, and useful annual perks, it’s a smart pick for travelers who want rewards without a top-tier fee.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Apply Now

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

This card offers a 50,000-point sign-up bonus after spending just $1,000 in the first three months—one of the lowest spending thresholds among airline cards. While all three personal Southwest cards offer the same bonus, the Premier card adds solid long-term perks: 6,000-anniversary points, two EarlyBird Check-Ins, and a 10,000-point Companion Pass boost every calendar year. With the right timing, you could earn the Companion Pass as early as February and keep it for nearly two full years. For travelers who fly Southwest a few times a year and want meaningful perks without a premium price tag, the Premier card delivers excellent value.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card is the middle-tier option among Southwest’s personal cards. It shares the same 50,000-point sign-up bonus as its siblings, but stands out by offering more anniversary points and valuable ongoing benefits for its $99 annual fee.

  • Earn 6,000-anniversary points each year: Worth roughly $78 based on our 1.3¢ per point valuation.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins annually: A $70 value that helps with boarding position.
  • 10,000-point Companion Pass boost: Posted by January 31 each year to help you get closer to earning the Companion Pass.

Other perks include 25% back on in-flight purchases, complimentary DashPass membership, and the ability to earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent—useful if you're chasing A-List status.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

This card might not be for you if you want the lowest annual fee possible—look to the Plus card with its $69 fee. Or you’ve opened another personal Southwest card within the past 24 months, making you ineligible for this bonus due to Chase’s rules.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

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’s boarding is polarizing (though it is updating to reserved seating in early 2026)
  • 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 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:

- Annual fees: $69 for Plus, $99 for Premier, $149 for Priority.
- Anniversary points: 3,000 (Plus), 6,000 (Premier), 7,500 (Priority).
- Other perks: Only the Priority card offers a $75 travel credit and 4 upgraded boardings (A1–A15). The Plus and Premier offer 2 EarlyBird Check-Ins per year.

All three personal cards include the 10,000-point Companion Pass boost and similar spending multipliers. The Premier card offers a good balance of cost and value for moderate Southwest flyers.

If you’re aiming for the Companion Pass, you’ll also need to explore Southwest’s business cards. Chase won’t allow you to earn two personal Southwest card bonuses within 24 months, so pairing a personal card with a business card is the fastest path. The Performance Business card offers an 80,000-point bonus (with a $199 annual fee), while the Premier Business card offers 60,000 points (with a $99 annual fee).

Card Information

Bonus Points Minimum Spend Point Value Annual Value Annual Fee
1st Year Value
50,000 $1,000 1.3 ¢ $0 $99
$564
Best Value Differentiating Perks Rules
US & Caribbean Flights Companion Pass, 6000 bonus points annually SW Pers 1/24 , 5/24 , Chase 2/30 , Chase 4/6

AWARD SYSTEM

Southwest Rapid Rewards

BANK

JP Morgan Chase

Reconsideration Phone 800.935.9935

CURRENT OFFER

50,000 points for
$1,000 spend.

Spend Categories

Airfare - »

3X points
3.9¢ Per Dollar Spent

All Other = »

1X points
1.3¢ Per Dollar Spent

Entertainment and Streaming = »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Hotels - »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Travel - »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Rideshare and Transit = »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Internet and Cable = »

2X points
2.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Card Benefits

Anniversary Date Bonus Points »
Receive 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
Airline Incidentals »
25% savings on Southwest Airlines inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi
Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance on collision and theft, up to the cost of the vehicle.
Travel Insurance »
Travel accident insurance up to $500,000; lost luggage insurance up to $3,000 per person; baggage delay insurance up to $100 per day for 3 days
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Free Checked Bag »
Travelers get two free checked bags, which they provide to everyone.
Purchase Protection »
Your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per claim, and $50,000 per account.
Extended Warranty »
This card extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.

Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$

Transfer To Friends Yes

Travel Partner Transfers

Outside Point System Southwest Rapid Rewards

Transfers In From
Point Transfer Options
Chase Ultimate Rewards

1:1 81% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Marriott Bonvoy

3:1 62% value retained

Point Transfer Options
World of Hyatt

5:2 33% value retained

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

Your application will be declined if 5 new cards are reported on 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:

Rank 2nd Honorable Mention

Breaking Points

September 16, 2024
JP Morgan Chase
Mini Points - October 2024

- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $69/annual fee.

- Southwest Premier Credit Card - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $99/annual fee.

- Southwest Priority Credit Card - Earn 85,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $149/annual fee.

- British Airways - Signature Card - Earn 100,000 Avios after spending $7500 in 6 months, $95/annual fee.

June 14, 2024
JP Morgan Chase
Mini Points - July 2024

LIMITED TIME DEALS:

- IHG Traveler Chase card - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months - $0/annual fee.

- Southwest Plus Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $69/annual fee.

- Southwest Premier Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $99/annual fee.

- Southwest Priority Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $149/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Business Amex card - 65,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.

- Delta Reserve Business Amex card - 75,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 6 months - $650/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Business Amex card - 55,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Amex card - 50,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Amex card - 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.

- AA Executive Citi card - 70,000 miles after spending $7000 in 3 months - $595/annual fee.

October 30, 2023
JP Morgan Chase
Southwest Chase Cards - Bringing In the New Year

- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card - 75,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $69/annual fee.

- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card - 75,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $99/annual fee.

- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card - 75,000 Points after spending $3000 in 3 months, $149/annual fee.

November 4, 2022
JP Morgan Chase
Southwest offering 75,000 points bonus on 3 cards

Southwest is offering a nice sign up bonus of 75,000 bonus points on 3 of their personal cards right now after spending $3000 in 3 months:

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus - $99 annual fee.

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier - $99 annual fee.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority - $149 annual fee.