What the Chase Southwest Visa card is and who it's for

The Chase Southwest Visa card 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 Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa, the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa, and the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa. Each tier offers different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and ongoing rewards rates. The main difference between them is how much you pay per year and what perks come with your membership.

This card is most useful if you already plan to fly Southwest or if you spend enough on everyday purchases to earn back the annual fee through rewards. It's less useful if you rarely fly or prefer other airlines.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chase Southwest Visa comes in three versions with different annual fees ranging from $0 to $99, each offering different sign-up bonuses and rewards rates.
  • You earn points on every purchase that can be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other travel expenses.
  • The card includes a Companion Pass benefit on higher tiers, which lets a designated person fly free when you buy a ticket at the full price.
  • You need to meet Chase's credit requirements to be approved, which typically means a good credit score and stable income history.
  • Points never expire as long as your account remains open and active, but closing the account forfeits any remaining points.

The three versions and their annual fees

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa (the basic version) has no annual fee. You earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases. This version has a smaller sign-up bonus than the paid tiers and no Companion Pass benefit, but it costs nothing to hold.

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa costs $69 per year. You earn two points per dollar on Southwest purchases and one point per dollar on everything else. This version includes a Companion Pass benefit that lets one person fly free with you once per year, and the sign-up bonus is larger than the basic card.

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa costs $99 per year. You earn three points per dollar on Southwest purchases and two points per dollar on everything else. It includes a Companion Pass benefit, a higher sign-up bonus, and additional perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding on every flight you take.

Which version makes sense depends on how often you fly and how much you spend. If you fly Southwest multiple times per year, the Priority card's perks often pay for the annual fee. If you fly occasionally, the Plus card might break even. If you rarely fly, the no-fee version lets you earn rewards without paying anything.

How rewards work and what you can do with points

Every purchase you make on the card earns Rapid Rewards points. The number of points depends on which version you hold and what category you're spending in. Points accumulate in your Southwest account and never expire as long as your card account stays open.

You can redeem points for Southwest flights, seat upgrades (including Early Bird Check-In, which boards you earlier), and other travel-related purchases through Southwest's website or mobile app. You can also transfer points to a companion for them to book their own flight. Points typically require between 5,000 and 50,000 per flight depending on the route and how far in advance you book.

The sign-up bonus gives you a large chunk of points upfront if you meet the spending requirement within the first few months. These bonuses can range from 25,000 to 75,000 points depending on which card version you choose and current promotions. That bonus alone can cover one or more round-trip flights.

What happens when you explore and what Chase will review

When you explore for the Chase Southwest Visa, Chase will pull your credit report to review your credit history and score. They look at how you've managed past credit accounts, whether you've paid bills on time, and how much debt you currently carry. They also verify your income and employment history.

Chase typically approves or denies applications within minutes to a few days. If approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason, which usually relates to credit score, recent negative marks on your credit report, or insufficient income.

You can check your own credit report for free once per year through annualcreditreport.com before you explore. This lets you spot errors or recent negative marks that might affect approval. If your score is below 670, approval becomes less likely, though Chase sometimes approves applicants with lower scores if they have other positive factors like stable employment or low debt.

The Companion Pass and how it actually works

The Companion Pass is a benefit on the Plus and Priority versions that lets one person fly free when you buy a ticket at full price. The pass is valid for one year from when you earn it, and you choose who your companion is through your Southwest account.

The companion still needs a valid ID and must be booked on the same flight as you. They don't pay for the ticket, but they do pay taxes and fees (usually $5 to $15 per flight). You can change your designated companion once per year if you want.

This benefit is most valuable if you travel with the same person regularly — a spouse, partner, or close friend. If you fly alone most of the time, the Companion Pass has less value, though you can still gift it to someone else or use it strategically on one trip per year.

Annual fees, when they're charged, and how to avoid them

The Plus card charges $69 per year, and the Priority card charges $99 per year. These fees post on your card's anniversary date each year. Chase does not prorate the fee if you open the card mid-year — you pay the full amount on your anniversary.

If you close the card before your anniversary, you will not be charged the annual fee. However, closing the card also closes your Rapid Rewards account with that card, and any points you've earned will be forfeited unless you have another active Southwest credit card or a Southwest account linked to your frequent flyer number.

Some people open the card, use the sign-up bonus, then close it before the annual fee posts. This strategy works if you don't plan to use the card long-term, but it means you lose the points and can't benefit from the ongoing rewards. If you keep the card open, the rewards you earn throughout the year usually offset the annual fee if you spend enough or fly often enough.

How to manage your account and track your points

Once your card arrives, you can set up it through Chase's website or mobile app. You'll link it to your Southwest Airlines frequent flyer account so that points automatically post to your account after each purchase.

You can check your points balance anytime through the Southwest website, the Southwest mobile app, or by logging into your Chase account. Points typically post within one to three business days after a purchase posts to your card.

If you want to redeem points for a flight, you book directly through Southwest's website or app and select "points" as your payment method instead of a credit card. You can also call Southwest's customer service line to book with points if you prefer to speak with someone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fly Southwest to use this card?

No. You earn points on every purchase regardless of whether you're buying a flight. You can use points for flights, but you can also hold them and redeem them later, or transfer them to someone else. The card is useful for everyday spending even if you don't fly Southwest regularly.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Points are forfeited when you close the card unless you have another active Southwest credit card or a Southwest frequent flyer account that's linked to your profile. If you have a separate frequent flyer account, points may transfer there, but you should confirm this with Southwest before closing the card.

Can I get the sign-up bonus more than once?

Chase typically allows you to earn a sign-up bonus once every 24 months per card version. If you've received a bonus on the Priority card, you usually have to wait two years before you can earn another bonus on that same card, though you may be able to earn a bonus on a different version sooner.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Chase doesn't publish a minimum credit score, but approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you can still explore, but denial is more common. Checking your own credit report before you explore helps you understand your chances.

Are there other ways to earn Southwest points besides the credit card?

Yes. You earn points when you fly Southwest, when you book hotels or rental cars through Southwest's partners, and through other co-branded shopping programs. The credit card is just one way to accumulate points, and many people combine multiple earning methods to reach their travel goals faster.