What the Southwest Customer Service Credit Card is
The Southwest Customer Service Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It is designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. The card earns points toward Southwest flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel expenses, and it comes with benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding on Southwest flights.
This card is different from a general rewards card because the points are tied specifically to Southwest's loyalty program, called Rapid Rewards. If you do not fly Southwest or book through their partners, the card's main benefits will not explore to you.
Key Takeaways
- The Southwest Customer Service Credit Card earns points on every purchase, with bonus points for the first three months and on Southwest purchases.
- Cardholders receive two free checked bags on every Southwest flight, which saves money if you travel with luggage regularly.
- The card charges an annual fee, and you should compare this cost against the value of the benefits you will actually use.
- Points earned through the card go into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and can be used for flights, seat upgrades, and partner bookings.
- The card is issued by Chase and requires a credit check, so your credit score and history affect whether you are offered the card and what interest rate you receive.
How points and rewards work on this card
Every purchase you make on the Southwest Customer Service Credit Card earns points at a set rate. The exact earning structure changes periodically, but typically you earn a higher rate on Southwest purchases and a lower rate on everything else. When you first open the card, you usually receive a bonus of points if you spend a certain amount within the first three months.
Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. You can use them to book flights directly through Southwest's website, purchase seat upgrades, or book hotels and rental cars through Southwest's travel partners. Points do not expire as long as your account remains active, which means you can hold them until you are ready to use them.
The value of each point varies depending on what you book. A point might be worth more when you use it for a premium cabin seat than when you use it for a basic economy flight. This means the actual value of your rewards depends on how you choose to spend them.
Checked bags and other travel perks
Southwest is known for allowing two free checked bags on every flight, and this card extends that benefit to you as the cardholder. If you travel with luggage, this saves money compared to airlines that charge per bag. The benefit applies to flights you book with your card and flights you book with points earned on the card.
The card also typically includes priority boarding, which means you board earlier than passengers without the card. This gives you better seat selection on flights where seats are not assigned in advance. Some versions of the card include other perks like discounts on in-flight purchases or lounge access, though these vary by card tier.
These benefits only matter if you actually fly Southwest. If you rarely travel or prefer other airlines, you are paying an annual fee for benefits you will not use.
Annual fee and when it makes sense to keep the card
The Southwest Customer Service Credit Card charges an annual fee. This fee is charged every year you hold the card, whether or not you use it. Some versions of the card waive the fee for the first year, but you will owe it in year two and beyond unless you close the account.
To decide whether the card is worth the fee, calculate what you would save from the free checked bags alone. If you take two round-trip flights per year and would otherwise pay checked bag fees, that benefit alone might cover part of the annual cost. Add in the points you earn on everyday purchases and any sign-up bonus, and you can estimate whether the card pays for itself.
If you do not fly Southwest at least a few times per year, or if you do not check bags, the annual fee is unlikely to be worth it. In that case, a general rewards card with no annual fee might serve you better.
How to open the card and what to expect
You open the Southwest Customer Service Credit Card by explore through Chase's website or through Southwest's website. The process asks for personal information, income, and employment details. Chase then runs a credit check and makes a decision, usually within minutes.
If you are approved, the card arrives in the mail within one to two weeks. You set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Chase mobile app. Once activated, you can use it when ready for purchases and begin earning points.
If you are denied, you can contact Chase to ask why. Common reasons include a low credit score, recent negative marks on your credit report, or too many recent credit inquiries. You may be able to reapply after addressing these issues, though Chase typically waits at least 30 days between applications from the same person.
Interest rates and how to avoid paying interest
The Southwest Customer Service Credit Card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full by the due date. The interest rate (called the APR) depends on your credit score and credit history. People with excellent credit typically receive lower rates, while people with fair or poor credit receive higher rates.
The card also charges interest on cash advances and balance transfers, usually at a higher rate than regular purchases. If you use the card to withdraw cash or transfer a balance from another card, you will pay interest from the day the transaction posts, even if you pay the full balance by the due date.
To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly outweigh any rewards you earn. A rewards card only makes financial sense if you pay it off in full each month.
Comparing this card to other Southwest cards and alternatives
Chase offers multiple Southwest co-branded cards, each with different annual fees, earning rates, and benefits. The Southwest Rapid Rewards card (no airline name in the title) is a no-annual-fee version that earns points at a lower rate. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card is a premium version with a higher annual fee and more generous benefits.
If you do not fly Southwest, a general rewards card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Capital One Venture X might give you more flexibility. These cards earn points or cash back that you can use for any travel purchase, not just Southwest bookings. They may also have lower annual fees or higher earning rates on categories you spend more on.
The right choice depends on how often you fly Southwest, how much you spend on the card, and whether the specific benefits (free checked bags, priority boarding) matter to you. Comparing the annual fee against the value of benefits you will actually use is the most important step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use this card only for Southwest flights?
No. You can use the card for any purchase — groceries, gas, restaurants, anything. You earn points on all purchases, though the earning rate is usually higher on Southwest bookings. Points earned on non-Southwest purchases still go into your Rapid Rewards account and can be used for Southwest flights or partner bookings.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account even after you close the card. You can continue to use them to book flights or other travel. However, if your Rapid Rewards account becomes inactive (no activity for 24 months), Southwest may close the account and points may be forfeited. Keeping the account active by booking or earning points periodically prevents this.
Can I transfer points to another airline or use them for non-travel purchases?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points are locked into the Southwest ecosystem. You cannot transfer them to other airline programs or redeem them for cash or merchandise. You can only use them for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services through Southwest's partners.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but most people approved for the Southwest cards have a score of 670 or higher. People with scores below 650 are rarely approved. Your approval also depends on your income, employment history, and existing debts, not just your credit score.
Do the free checked bags explore to flights I book with points?
Yes. The free checked bag benefit applies to any Southwest flight you take as the cardholder, whether you paid with cash, points, or a combination of both. The benefit is tied to you as the cardholder, not to how you paid for the ticket.