Southwest offers three main credit cards, each with different rewards and annual fees
Southwest has three co-branded cards through Chase: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business. The main differences are the annual fee, the sign-up bonus structure, and the perks included with each card. All three earn the same base rewards rate — 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else — but they differ in what you get for paying the annual fee.
The choice between them depends on how often you fly Southwest, whether you travel for business, and whether the included perks offset the cost. None of these cards is objectively "best" — the right one depends on your actual travel patterns and spending.
Key Takeaways
- The Rapid Rewards Plus has the lowest annual fee and is best if you fly Southwest a few times a year and want to keep costs down.
- The Rapid Rewards Premier costs more annually but includes two free checked bags and priority boarding, which add real value if you check luggage regularly.
- The Business card works the same way as the Premier but is designed for business spending and requires a business tax ID to open.
- All three cards earn the same rewards rate, so the decision hinges on whether the annual fee and perks match how you actually fly.
- You can hold multiple Southwest cards at once, though opening several in a short time may affect your credit score.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: lowest annual fee, basic perks
The Rapid Rewards Plus has an annual fee of $69. You get a one-time sign-up bonus (the amount changes, so check Chase's current offer), a $75 Southwest travel credit each year on your cardmember anniversary, and 25% back on points redemptions when you book through the Southwest website.
This card makes sense if you fly Southwest occasionally — maybe once or twice a year — and don't check bags often. The $75 anniversary credit roughly offsets the annual fee if you use it, and the 25% points bonus can add up over time. You don't get free checked bags or priority boarding, so you'll pay for those separately when you need them.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: annual fee with checked bags and boarding
The Rapid Rewards Premier costs $99 per year. In return, you get two free checked bags on every Southwest flight, priority boarding (which means you board earlier and get better seat selection), a one-time sign-up bonus, and a $75 Southwest travel credit each year on your cardmember anniversary.
The free checked bags are the real value here. If you check even one bag per round trip, you're saving $35 to $70 per flight depending on whether it's your first or second bag. On just two round trips a year, that pays for the annual fee. Priority boarding means you're not stuck in the middle seat at the back of the plane. This card is worth the extra $30 annually if you check luggage or care about seat selection.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Business: same as Premier, for business spending
The Business card has the same $99 annual fee and the same perks as the Premier — two free checked bags, priority boarding, $75 anniversary credit, and the same rewards rate. The difference is that it's designed for business spending and requires you to have a business tax ID or EIN to open it.
If you have a business and fly Southwest for work, this card lets you separate business and personal spending. You can also earn rewards on business purchases. Otherwise, there's no reason to choose this over the Premier unless your business legitimately uses Southwest travel.
How the rewards actually work across all three cards
All three cards earn 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases (flights, hotels booked through Southwest, car rentals through Southwest) and 1 point per dollar on everything else. You redeem points for flights, and Southwest doesn't charge blackout dates — you can use points on any flight that has award availability.
The 25% bonus on the Plus card applies only when you redeem points through Southwest.com. The Premier and Business cards don't have this bonus, but the free checked bags and priority boarding often deliver more value than 25% off points. Points don't expire as long as your account stays active, and you can transfer points to a travel companion or use them to buy gift cards.
Comparing the three cards side by side
| Feature | Rapid Rewards Plus | Rapid Rewards Premier | Rapid Rewards Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $69 | $99 | $99 |
| Free Checked Bags | No | 2 per flight | 2 per flight |
| Priority Boarding | No | Yes | Yes |
| Anniversary Travel Credit | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Points Redemption Bonus | 25% back | None | None |
| Rewards Rate | 2x Southwest, 1x other | 2x Southwest, 1x other | 2x Southwest, 1x other |
Which card to choose based on your travel habits
If you fly Southwest fewer than two times per year and rarely check bags, the Plus card keeps your costs lowest. The $75 anniversary credit and 25% points bonus help offset the $69 fee, and you avoid paying for checked bags when you don't need them.
If you fly Southwest two or more times per year and check at least one bag per trip, the Premier card pays for itself. Two round trips with one checked bag each saves you $70 in bag fees alone, which covers the $30 difference between the Plus and Premier annual fees. Add in priority boarding and the same $75 anniversary credit, and the Premier becomes the better deal.
If you have a business and use Southwest for business travel, the Business card works the same way as the Premier but lets you track business expenses separately. Otherwise, there's no advantage to it over the Premier.
Things to know before you open a Southwest card
You can hold more than one Southwest card at the same time. Some people hold both the Plus and Premier to maximize sign-up bonuses, though opening multiple cards in a short period can lower your credit score temporarily. Chase has rules about how often you can open new cards, so check their current policy before explore.
The sign-up bonus changes frequently and varies by card. The current offer might be 50,000 points, 60,000 points, or something else entirely — check Chase's website for what's available right now. You usually have to spend a certain amount within the first few months to get the bonus.
The $75 anniversary credit posts on your cardmember anniversary each year, not on your birthday. If you close the card before your anniversary, you won't get that credit. The free checked bags and priority boarding only work on Southwest flights, not on other airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the free checked bags on flights I book with points?
Yes. The free checked bags benefit applies to any Southwest flight you're on, whether you paid with cash or redeemed points. The same goes for priority boarding — it works on all your Southwest flights as long as the card is active.
What happens to my rewards if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and don't disappear when you close the card. You can still use them to book flights. However, you lose the perks tied to the card itself — no more free checked bags or priority boarding once the card is closed.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee posts each year on your cardmember anniversary. You can close the card anytime to stop paying it. Some people close the card after the first year, collect the sign-up bonus and anniversary credit, then reopen it later to get another bonus — though Chase limits how often you can do this.
Which card should I get if I'm not sure how much I'll fly?
Start with the Plus card. It has the lowest annual fee and the 25% points bonus helps offset the cost. If you find yourself flying Southwest more often and checking bags, you can upgrade to the Premier later. You can also hold both cards if the sign-up bonuses make sense for your spending.
Do these cards work internationally?
Southwest only flies within the United States, so these cards are designed for domestic travel. You can use them anywhere Visa is accepted, but you won't earn the 2x rewards rate on international flights since Southwest doesn't operate them. The free checked bags only explore to Southwest flights.