What the Southwest Airlines Chase Visa card does

The Southwest Airlines Chase Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It earns points on every purchase you make, and those points convert directly into Southwest airline tickets and other travel rewards. Unlike some airline cards that require you to reach a spending threshold before points become useful, Southwest points have a fixed value: you redeem them for flights at published rates that don't change based on demand or season.

The card comes in two versions — the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier — with different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and ongoing earning rates. Both cards give you the same point-earning structure on purchases, but the Premier version includes additional perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag on every flight you take as the cardholder.

Key Takeaways

  • The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus costs $69 per year and the Premier costs $99 per year, and both come with a sign-up bonus of points after you spend a set amount in the first few months.
  • You earn points on every dollar spent with the card, and those points redeem directly for Southwest flights without blackout dates or seat restrictions.
  • The Premier version includes a free checked bag and priority boarding for the cardholder on every Southwest flight, which can offset the higher annual fee if you fly more than once or twice a year.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.
  • The card charges interest on unpaid balances like any other credit card, so carrying a balance erases the value of the rewards you earn.

Annual fees and sign-up bonuses

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus charges $69 per year. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier charges $99 per year. Both cards waive the annual fee for the first year, so you pay nothing in year one. After that, the fee posts automatically each year on your card anniversary.

Both versions offer a sign-up bonus when you open the account. The bonus is paid in points, not dollars, and you receive it after you spend a certain amount on the card within the first three months. The specific bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically, so check the current offer before you explore. A typical bonus might be 40,000 to 60,000 points, which translates to one or two free flights depending on the route.

To decide which card makes sense for you, compare the $30 annual fee difference against the value of the Premier's perks. The free checked bag alone saves you $15 per round trip on Southwest, so if you take two or more round trips per year, the Premier pays for itself. The priority boarding benefit is less tangible but matters if you prefer to board early and choose your seat.

How you earn and redeem points

Both cards earn the same points on purchases: typically one point per dollar spent on all purchases, with bonus points on Southwest purchases and at partner merchants. You can also earn points by flying Southwest, staying at partner hotels, renting cars, and shopping through the Southwest shopping portal, though the card itself is your primary earning tool if you use it for everyday spending.

Points redeem for Southwest flights at a fixed rate. Southwest publishes the point cost for each route, and that cost does not change based on how far in advance you book or how full the flight is. A short regional flight might cost 6,000 points; a cross-country flight might cost 25,000 points. You redeem points directly through your Southwest account or through the Chase rewards portal, and the points post to your Southwest account when ready.

Points do not expire as long as you keep your account open and use the card at least once every 24 months. If your account sits inactive for two years, Southwest may close it and forfeit your points. Using the card for even a small purchase every two years keeps the account alive.

Interest rates and how carrying a balance affects rewards

The Southwest Airlines Chase Visa charges a variable interest rate on balances you don't pay in full each month. The rate depends on your credit score and current market conditions, but it typically ranges from 18% to 27% annually. If you carry a balance, you pay interest on that balance every month until you pay it off.

This matters directly to your rewards value. If you spend $1,000 on the card and earn 1,000 points worth roughly $12 to $15 in flight value, but then carry that $1,000 balance for three months at 22% interest, you pay about $55 in interest charges. The rewards you earned do not cover the interest you owe. For the card to make financial sense, you must pay your full statement balance every month, not just the minimum payment.

Comparing the Plus and Premier versions

The Plus card ($69 annual fee) is the right choice if you fly Southwest rarely — once a year or less — or if you want to test whether the rewards justify the annual fee before committing to the more expensive version. The sign-up bonus alone often covers the first year's fee, so your real cost is zero in year one.

The Premier card ($99 annual fee) makes sense if you fly Southwest at least twice a year. The free checked bag saves you $15 per round trip, which covers the $30 fee difference in two trips. Priority boarding is a secondary benefit; it matters most if you value early boarding or have strong preferences about seat location. The Premier also includes a $75 statement credit toward Southwest purchases once per year, which further offsets the higher fee.

Both cards offer the same earning rate and point redemption structure. The only differences are the annual fee, the free checked bag on the Premier, priority boarding, and the annual statement credit. If you don't fly Southwest regularly, the Plus card is the lower-cost option. If you do, the Premier's perks usually pay for themselves.

What happens if you close the account

If you close the card, your points remain in your Southwest account and never expire, as long as you maintain some activity in your Southwest account. You don't have to keep the card open to use the points you've earned. However, closing the card means you stop earning new points on purchases, and you lose access to any ongoing benefits like the free checked bag or priority boarding.

Some people open the card for the sign-up bonus, use it for a few months to meet the spending requirement, then close it before the annual fee hits. This strategy works if you're willing to lose the ongoing earning rate and perks. Others keep the card open year-round because the points they earn on everyday spending outweigh the annual fee. The math depends on how much you spend on the card and how often you fly.

How this card fits into a broader rewards strategy

The Southwest card works best if you fly Southwest regularly and want to concentrate your rewards in one airline program. If you fly multiple airlines or prefer hotel rewards, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred might give you more flexibility, because those points transfer to multiple airlines and hotels instead of locking you into Southwest.

If you already have a Southwest card and are considering a second one, Chase limits you to one Southwest card at a time. You can upgrade from the Plus to the Premier (or vice versa) without losing your points, but you cannot hold both simultaneously. Some people cycle between the two versions depending on their travel plans for the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Southwest points expire?

Points do not expire as long as your Southwest account stays active. Activity means any transaction in your account — a flight, a credit card purchase, or even a points transfer — within any 24-month period. If your account sits dormant for two years, Southwest may close it and forfeit your points. Using the card once every two years keeps the account alive.

Can I use points on flights I book for other people?

Yes. You redeem points for a ticket, and that ticket can be issued to anyone. The person flying does not need to be the cardholder. You can book a flight for a family member or friend using your points, and they board and fly under their own name.

What's the difference between the sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards?

The sign-up bonus is a one-time grant of points you receive after meeting a spending requirement in your first few months. Ongoing rewards are the points you earn on every purchase you make with the card after that. Both are real points that redeem for flights, but the bonus is front-loaded and the ongoing rewards accumulate slowly over time.

Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly once a year?

For the Plus card at $69 per year, it depends on how much you spend on the card outside of flights. If you use it for groceries, gas, and everyday purchases, you earn enough points to cover the fee. If you only use it to book flights, the fee is harder to justify. For the Premier at $99, the free checked bag ($15 per round trip) covers the fee difference in two trips, so it makes sense if you check a bag.

What happens to my points if I miss a payment?

Missing a payment does not automatically forfeit your points. However, it damages your credit score and may trigger higher interest rates or account closure. Your points stay in your Southwest account as long as that account remains active. The bigger risk is that Chase may close your credit card account for non-payment, which stops you from earning new points, but does not erase the points you've already earned.