What the Southwest Rapid Rewards card is and who it's built for
The Southwest Rapid Rewards 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 toward Southwest tickets and cabin upgrades. The card comes in several versions — the standard card, a business version, and a higher-tier "Priority" version — each with different annual fees and earning rates.
The card's main draw is that rewards points go directly toward Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and checked baggage fees rather than converting to cash or other airlines. If you're already a Southwest customer, the card can reduce what you pay out of pocket for travel. If you rarely fly Southwest, the card's rewards structure won't save you money compared to a general cash-back card.
Key Takeaways
- The Southwest card earns points on every purchase, with bonus points in the first months after opening, and points transfer directly to Southwest bookings with no blackout dates.
- The standard card has an annual fee of around $69, while the Priority version costs roughly $99 more per year but includes priority boarding and other perks.
- You need roughly 25,000 to 50,000 points for a one-way Southwest flight, depending on the route and how far in advance you book.
- The card's real value depends on how often you fly Southwest and whether the annual fee is offset by the points you earn and the perks included.
How points work and what they're worth
Every dollar you spend on the card earns one point, with higher earning rates on Southwest purchases and certain categories like gas and restaurants. When you first open the card, you get a sign-up bonus — typically 40,000 to 75,000 points depending on which version you choose and current promotions. That bonus alone can cover one or two domestic flights on Southwest.
Points don't expire as long as your account stays open and active. You redeem them directly through Southwest's website by logging into your Rapid Rewards account, selecting a flight, and choosing to pay with points instead of cash. Southwest doesn't charge a separate fee to redeem points, and there are no blackout dates — you can book any available seat, though premium cabin seats and flights during peak times may cost more points.
The actual value of a point varies. A point might be worth roughly 1.5 to 2 cents if you're booking a cheap flight, but only 0.8 cents on an expensive route. This means a 40,000-point sign-up bonus could cover a $600 flight or a $320 flight depending on what you book.
Annual fees and what you get for them
The standard Southwest Rapid Rewards card charges an annual fee of approximately $69. The Priority version costs around $169 per year. Both fees renew each year on your account anniversary, and Chase typically doesn't waive them even if you call to ask.
The standard card includes two free checked bags per flight (a $70 value on most airlines), early boarding, and the ability to earn points on all purchases. The Priority version adds priority boarding, a $75 annual statement credit toward Southwest purchases, and a few other perks. Whether the Priority version makes sense depends on whether you fly Southwest enough to use the priority boarding and whether the $75 credit covers most of your annual fee.
Some cardholders break even on the annual fee through the free checked bags alone if they fly Southwest at least twice a year. Others find the fee worth it because the points they earn on everyday spending offset the cost.
Earning bonus points in the first year
When you open a Southwest card, you typically get a large sign-up bonus if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. Current offers range from 40,000 to 75,000 points, usually requiring you to spend $1,000 to $3,000 in the first three months. Some offers also give you bonus points for making your first purchase or reaching smaller spending thresholds.
The sign-up bonus is where most of the card's value sits for new cardholders. If you're planning to open the card, time it so you can meet the spending requirement through purchases you were already planning to make — groceries, gas, utilities — rather than spending extra money just to hit the threshold.
After the first year, you earn points at the regular rate: one point per dollar on most purchases, with higher rates (sometimes 2 or 3 points per dollar) on Southwest flights, gas stations, restaurants, and hotels. The earning rates change occasionally, so check your cardholder agreement or Chase's website for the current breakdown.
When the Southwest card makes financial sense
The card pays for itself if you fly Southwest at least once or twice a year and would otherwise pay cash for those flights. A single round-trip domestic flight typically costs between $200 and $400, which is more than the annual fee. If you fly Southwest more than twice a year, the card almost certainly saves you money.
The card also makes sense if you use it for everyday purchases and can redeem the points you earn. Someone who puts $10,000 a year on the card earns 10,000 points, which might cover a quarter of a domestic flight. Over several years, those points add up.
The card doesn't make sense if you rarely fly Southwest, prefer other airlines, or don't want to pay an annual fee. A general cash-back card with no annual fee will give you more flexibility and lower costs if you're not committed to Southwest travel.
How to decide between the standard and Priority versions
The standard card costs $69 per year and gives you free checked bags and early boarding. The Priority card costs $169 per year and adds priority boarding (boarding in the first group instead of the second), a $75 annual statement credit, and a few other small perks.
The Priority card makes sense if you fly Southwest frequently enough to value priority boarding — which means you board earlier and get better seat selection — and if you spend at least $75 per year on Southwest purchases (flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees). If you fly Southwest only a few times a year or don't care about boarding order, the standard card is the better choice.
You can also start with the standard card and upgrade to Priority later if you find yourself flying more often. Some cardholders do the opposite: they open the Priority card for a year to use the sign-up bonus and perks, then downgrade to the standard card the following year to lower their annual cost.
What happens if you close the card or stop using it
If you close the card, your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account as long as you have some account activity — a flight, a purchase with another Southwest co-branded card, or even a free flight award — at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for two years, Southwest may close it and you'll lose your points.
You don't have to close the card to keep it open. Many cardholders keep it active by putting one small purchase on it every year or two, which costs nothing and preserves their points balance. If you're not using the card but want to keep your points, a small annual purchase is cheaper than paying the annual fee.
If you do close the card, make sure you've redeemed or transferred any points you want to keep. Points don't transfer to other airlines or programs, so once your Southwest account closes, those points are gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Southwest points to book flights on other airlines?
No. Southwest points work only for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and baggage fees. They don't transfer to other airlines or convert to cash. If you want to fly another airline, you'll need to pay cash or use a different rewards card.
What's the difference between the sign-up bonus and points I earn later?
The sign-up bonus is a one-time offer you get when you open the card, usually 40,000 to 75,000 points. After that, you earn points at the regular rate — typically one point per dollar — on every purchase. The sign-up bonus is much larger than what you'd earn in a few months of regular spending, which is why timing the card opening around a planned trip can be valuable.
Do I have to fly Southwest to make this card worth it?
You don't have to fly when ready, but you do need to plan to fly Southwest eventually. The annual fee only makes sense if you'll redeem points for Southwest flights at some point. If you don't fly Southwest at all, a cash-back card with no annual fee will save you money.
What happens to my points if I don't use them right away?
Points don't expire as long as your account stays active. You can hold onto them for months or years and book a flight whenever you want. There's no pressure to use them quickly, though keeping your account active (with at least one transaction every 24 months) is important to prevent Southwest from closing it.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
Chase typically doesn't waive the annual fee, even if you call customer service. Some cardholders have had success downgrading to a different card or closing the account before the fee posts, but there's no standard waiver process. The fee renews automatically each year, so plan for it in your budget.