The Southwest Airlines Card gives you points on every purchase, a free checked bag benefit, and a companion pass once you hit a spending threshold
The Southwest Airlines Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. When you use it, you earn points toward Southwest flights instead of cash back. The card also includes a checked bag benefit — you and one companion get a free checked bag on every Southwest flight — and after you spend enough in the first year, you receive a companion pass that lets someone fly free on most Southwest routes for a year.
The card comes with an annual fee. You pay this fee whether you use the card or not. The specific benefits and point values change periodically, so it's worth checking Southwest's website or calling Chase directly for the current offer before you open an account.
Key Takeaways
- You earn points on every dollar spent with the card, and these points convert directly into Southwest flight bookings with no blackout dates.
- The free checked bag benefit applies to you and one companion on every Southwest flight, which saves money if you travel with luggage regularly.
- After meeting the card's spending requirement in the first year, you receive a companion pass — a certificate that lets one person fly free on most Southwest routes for 12 months.
- The card charges an annual fee that you owe each year; the fee is not waived in the first year on most versions of the card.
- Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.
How points work and what they're worth
Every time you swipe the Southwest Airlines Card, you earn points. The earning rate varies by card version and purchase type — for example, you might earn more points per dollar on Southwest purchases than on groceries. You can check the current earning structure on Chase's website or your card agreement.
Points have no fixed dollar value. Instead, their worth depends on the flight you book. A short domestic flight might cost 6,000 points, while a longer route could cost 15,000 or more. This means the same number of points can get you different things depending on when and where you fly. Southwest does not charge blackout dates, so you can use points on any available seat, though popular times may have limited availability.
Points stay in your account indefinitely if you keep the card open and use it at least once every 24 months. If your account closes or goes unused for two years, Southwest may cancel your points. You can transfer points to a companion or family member, though the process requires contacting Southwest directly.
The free checked bag and companion pass explained
One of the main reasons people open this card is the free checked bag benefit. When you fly Southwest, you and one designated companion each get to check one bag for free on every flight. This benefit applies whether you paid for the ticket with points or cash, and it continues as long as your card account is open.
The companion pass is separate and more valuable. After you spend a set amount with the card in your first year — the threshold changes with different card offers — Southwest sends you a companion pass certificate. This pass lets you name one person who can fly free on most Southwest flights for 12 months from the date you receive it. The companion still pays taxes and fees (usually $5 to $15 per flight), but the base fare is free. You can change who your companion is during the year, though you can only have one active companion at a time.
The companion pass is not automatic. You have to meet the spending requirement to earn it. If you don't spend enough in the first year, you won't receive one. Some card versions offer the pass after a lower spending threshold than others, so compare the current offers before you decide.
Annual fee and whether the card pays for itself
The Southwest Airlines Card charges an annual fee that you owe each year. This fee is not waived in the first year on most versions of the card, though Chase occasionally runs promotions that waive it temporarily. You need to decide whether the benefits — the points you earn, the free checked bags, and the companion pass — are worth more than what you pay annually.
The math depends on how much you fly and how much you spend on the card. If you fly Southwest multiple times a year and check bags, the free checked bag benefit alone can save you $30 to $70 per year. The companion pass, if you use it, can be worth hundreds of dollars. But if you rarely fly or don't spend enough to earn the companion pass, the annual fee may not be worth it. Calculate your own situation: add up what you'd spend on checked bags and what a companion ticket would cost, then compare that total to the annual fee.
Earning the companion pass and using it strategically
To earn the companion pass, you need to reach the card's spending requirement within the first year of opening the account. The requirement varies by card offer — it might be $2,000, $3,000, or higher. Once you hit that number, Southwest mails you the pass certificate, which typically arrives within four to six weeks.
The companion pass is valid for 12 months from the date you receive it, not from the date you open the card. This timing matters. If you open the card in January but don't hit the spending requirement until September, your pass won't arrive until October or November, and it will expire the following October or November. Plan your spending accordingly if you want to use the pass during a specific season.
You can use the companion pass on any Southwest flight where seats are available, including flights you book with points. The companion still needs a boarding pass and goes through security like any other passenger. The pass covers the base fare only, so the companion pays taxes and fees just like a regular ticket holder.
Other card benefits and protections
Beyond points and the checked bag benefit, the Southwest Airlines Card includes standard credit card protections. These typically include purchase protection (coverage if something you buy is damaged or stolen), trip cancellation insurance (reimbursement if you have to cancel a prepaid trip for a covered reason), and extended warranty coverage on may be able to access purchases. The specific protections and their limits depend on your card version and your cardholder agreement.
The card also offers priority boarding on Southwest flights. When you check in, you board earlier than passengers without the card, which gives you a better chance of getting a seat in your preferred location. This is a convenience benefit rather than a financial one, but it matters if you fly frequently or travel with family.
When the Southwest Airlines Card might not be the right choice
The Southwest Airlines Card works best if you fly Southwest regularly or spend enough to earn the companion pass. If you fly other airlines most of the time, or if you rarely fly at all, the annual fee and the points you earn won't be as valuable. Points earned on the Southwest card can only be used for Southwest flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages booked through Southwest — not for flights on other carriers.
If you don't check bags or travel with a companion, some of the card's main benefits disappear. You'd be paying the annual fee mainly for the points you earn on everyday spending, which might not be competitive with a cash-back card that has no annual fee. Compare the earning rates and benefits of other cards before you decide.
Also consider whether you'll actually meet the spending requirement to earn the companion pass. If you spend very little on credit cards, or if you'd have to make purchases you wouldn't normally make just to hit the threshold, the card probably isn't worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card to get the free checked bag benefit?
No. The free checked bag benefit applies to you and one companion on every Southwest flight as long as your card account is open, regardless of how you paid for the ticket. You could book with cash, points, or a gift card and still get the free bag.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest account and don't disappear when you close the card. However, if you don't use your Southwest account (including the card or any other Southwest activity) for 24 months, Southwest may cancel your points. Keeping the card open is the easiest way to keep your points active.
Can I use the companion pass on a flight I book with points?
Yes. The companion pass works on any Southwest flight where seats are available, whether you paid with cash, points, or a combination. The companion still pays taxes and fees but no base fare.
How long does it take to receive the companion pass after I meet the spending requirement?
Southwest typically mails the pass certificate within four to six weeks of the date you meet the spending requirement. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date you receive it, not from the date you opened the card, so plan accordingly if you want to use it during a specific time of year.
Can I transfer my points to someone else?
You can transfer points to a family member or friend, but you have to contact Southwest directly to do it. There may be limits on how many points you can transfer or how often you can transfer them. Check Southwest's website or call their customer service line for current transfer rules.