What the Southwest Visa card does and who it's for
The Southwest Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It's designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to Southwest travel credits. The card comes in three versions — the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Business — each with different annual fees and earning rates.
The main benefit is that purchases earn points (called Rapid Rewards) that you can redeem for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. You also get a sign-up bonus of points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Unlike some airline cards, there's no blackout date restriction — you can use your points on any Southwest flight that has available reward seats.
This card makes sense if you fly Southwest at least a few times per year and want those flights to cost less. It's less useful if you rarely fly Southwest, prefer other airlines, or don't spend enough to offset the annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- The Southwest Visa comes in three versions with different annual fees: the Plus card ($69), the Premier card ($99), and the Business card ($99), each earning points at different rates.
- You earn one point per dollar spent on most purchases, and bonus points on Southwest purchases and at partner merchants like restaurants and hotels.
- A sign-up bonus typically offers 40,000 to 75,000 points after you meet a spending requirement in the first few months, though the exact offer changes.
- Points never expire as long as your account stays open and you earn or redeem at least once every 24 months.
- You can use points to book any available Southwest flight with no blackout dates, or redeem them for seat upgrades and other travel benefits.
How earning points works on this card
Every dollar you spend on the Southwest Visa earns one Rapid Rewards point, with some categories earning more. Southwest airline purchases earn double points. Purchases at partner merchants — including restaurants, hotels, car rentals, and gas stations — also earn bonus points, though the exact rate depends on which partner and which card version you hold.
The sign-up bonus is where most of the value sits. When you open the card and spend a set amount (usually $500 to $2,000) within the first three months, Chase deposits a large chunk of points into your account — typically 40,000 to 75,000 points. That bonus alone can cover a domestic round-trip flight or several shorter flights. The exact offer changes, so check Chase's website for the current promotion.
Points accumulate in your Rapid Rewards account, which you access through Southwest's website or mobile app. You can see your balance anytime and check how many points you need for the flights you want to book.
Annual fees and when they're worth paying
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card costs $69 per year. The Premier card costs $99 per year. The Business card also costs $99 per year. All three versions waive the first annual fee for the first year, so you don't pay anything in year one.
Whether the fee is worth it depends on how much you fly and spend. If you fly Southwest four or more times per year, the fee usually pays for itself through points you earn on flights and everyday purchases. If you fly less than twice a year, the fee may outweigh the benefit. Chase also offers a $75 statement credit toward a Southwest purchase once per year on the Premier and Business cards, which can offset part of the annual fee if you use it.
You can cancel the card anytime before the annual fee posts if you decide it's not worth keeping. Chase typically sends a notice before charging the fee, giving you a window to cancel without paying.
How to redeem points for flights and other rewards
To book a flight with points, log into your Southwest account on Southwest.com or the mobile app, search for your flight, and select the option to pay with Rapid Rewards points instead of cash. The number of points needed varies by flight distance and demand — a short flight might cost 5,000 points, while a longer route could cost 15,000 or more. Southwest publishes a points chart showing the range for different distances.
You can also use points for seat upgrades (called "Upgraded Boarding"), which typically cost 1,500 to 5,000 points depending on the flight. Upgraded Boarding lets you board earlier and choose your seat before general boarding. Some people use points this way instead of booking entire flights.
Points can also be transferred to Southwest's partner airlines or redeemed for gift cards, though the value is usually lower than booking flights directly. Once you redeem points, they're gone from your account, so use them for flights where the point-to-dollar value makes sense to you.
How points expiration works
Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as you keep your account active. "Active" means you earn or redeem at least one point within any 24-month period. This is a much friendlier policy than many airline programs, which expire points after 12 months of inactivity.
In practice, this means if you fly Southwest or use your card at least once every two years, your points stay in your account indefinitely. If you stop flying and stop using the card for 24 months, Southwest will close your account and points will be lost. You can reactivate an inactive account by earning or redeeming points again.
Keep track of your last activity date if you're not a frequent flyer. You can check this in your Southwest account online. If you're approaching the 24-month mark and haven't flown, make a small purchase with your card or book a flight to reset the clock.
Comparing the three card versions
| Feature | Plus ($69/year) | Premier ($99/year) | Business ($99/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $69 | $99 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | 40,000 points | 50,000–75,000 points | 60,000–75,000 points |
| Points per $1 spent | 1 point | 1 point | 1 point |
| $75 Southwest credit | No | Yes, once per year | Yes, once per year |
| Companion pass benefit | No | Yes, after $25,000 spend | Yes, after $25,000 spend |
| Best for | Occasional Southwest flyers | Regular Southwest flyers | Business owners who fly Southwest |
The Plus card is the entry point if you want to test whether the card works for you. The Premier card adds a $75 annual Southwest credit and a companion pass benefit (which lets someone fly free with you after you spend $25,000 in a year), making it better for people who fly Southwest regularly. The Business card is structured the same as the Premier but designed for business spending and comes with additional business perks like employee cards.
The sign-up bonus is often higher on the Premier and Business cards, which can offset the higher annual fee in year one. Check Chase's current offers before opening an account, as the bonus amount changes throughout the year.
Things to know before you open the card
Your credit score matters. Chase typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a lower credit limit. You can check your credit for free through AnnualCreditReport.com before you explore.
Opening the card will create a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points. If you've opened multiple credit cards in the past few months, Chase may deny your process to manage risk.
The card has no foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you fly Southwest internationally. However, Southwest itself has limited international routes, so this benefit matters less than it would on a general travel card.
You can hold more than one Southwest Visa card at a time, and some people do to earn multiple sign-up bonuses. However, Chase has rules about how many cards you can open in a certain timeframe, so space out applications if you're planning to do this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card to keep my points from expiring?
No. You only need to earn or redeem at least one point within 24 months to keep your account active. This can be a flight booked with points, a purchase with the card, or even a free flight promotion from Southwest. You don't have to carry a balance or use the card regularly.
What happens to my points if I cancel the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and don't disappear when you cancel the card. You can still redeem them for flights or other rewards. The only risk is if your account becomes inactive for 24 months after you cancel, in which case Southwest will close the account and points will be lost.
Can I transfer points to someone else?
Southwest allows you to transfer points to another person's Rapid Rewards account, but there are restrictions. You can transfer to a family member or friend, and Southwest charges a small fee per transfer. The recipient's account must be active, and there are limits on how many points you can transfer per year.
Is the companion pass worth it?
The companion pass on the Premier and Business cards lets someone fly free with you after you spend $25,000 in a calendar year. If you spend that much and fly with a travel partner regularly, it can save you thousands. If you fly alone or don't spend that much, it won't benefit you.
What if I don't get approved?
If Chase denies your process, you can call the reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter to ask why and potentially reapply. Common reasons for denial are a low credit score, too many recent applications, or insufficient credit history. You can also wait a few months and reapply after your credit profile improves.