What the Southwest Airlines Visa card is and who issues it
The Southwest Airlines Visa card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Southwest Airlines. You use it like any other Visa card to make purchases, but the rewards you earn are Southwest Airlines points instead of cash back. Those points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the Southwest website.
Chase offers two versions of this card: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card. Both cards earn the same rewards rate, but they differ in annual fee, sign-up bonus, and some benefits. The Priority card costs more per year but includes more perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag for the cardholder.
This card is designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or plan to. If you rarely fly or prefer other airlines, a different rewards card may make more sense for your spending.
Key Takeaways
- The Southwest Visa card earns points on every purchase that you can use to book Southwest flights, but you pay an annual fee to hold the card.
- Both versions offer a sign-up bonus of points if you spend a certain amount within the first few months, which can cover one or more free flights.
- The Priority card includes benefits like priority boarding and a free checked bag each year, while the Plus card has a lower annual fee.
- Points earned on this card never expire as long as your account remains open and you use the card at least once every 24 months.
- You can transfer points to other airline and hotel partners through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, though most people use them for Southwest flights directly.
How rewards and points work on this card
Every dollar you spend on the Southwest Visa card earns one point toward Southwest flights. This rate applies to all purchases — groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping, everything. There are no bonus categories that earn extra points, so the earning rate stays flat no matter what you buy.
Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, which is separate from your credit card account but linked to it. You can see your point balance anytime by logging into Southwest.com or the Southwest mobile app. Points never expire as long as you keep the card open and use it at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for two years, Southwest can close it and you lose the points.
To book a flight with points, you log into Southwest.com, search for your route, and select the "Points" option instead of paying with cash. The number of points needed varies by route, time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 6,000 to 8,000 points, while a longer route could cost 15,000 or more. Southwest publishes their points pricing publicly, so you can check before you book.
Annual fees and sign-up bonuses
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card charges an annual fee of $69. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card charges an annual fee of $35. Both fees are charged to your account once per year, usually on your card anniversary date.
To offset the annual fee, both cards offer a sign-up bonus. The bonus structure changes periodically, but typically requires you to spend a set amount on the card within the first three months — for example, $2,000 or $3,000. If you meet that spending requirement, Chase deposits a large number of bonus points into your account. The bonus points are usually enough to cover at least one round-trip domestic flight, which can offset the annual fee in your first year.
After your first year, whether the card makes financial sense depends on how much you fly and how much you spend on the card. If you fly Southwest multiple times per year and put regular spending on the card, the points you earn can exceed the annual fee value. If you rarely fly or only use the card occasionally, the annual fee may not be worth it.
Priority card benefits beyond points
The Priority card includes several benefits that the Plus card does not. The most valuable is priority boarding on every Southwest flight you take as the cardholder. Southwest boarding is open seating, so priority boarding means you board earlier and have a better choice of seats. This benefit applies only to you as the cardholder, not to companions traveling with you.
The Priority card also includes a free checked bag for you on every Southwest flight. Southwest allows two free checked bags for all passengers, but the cardholder gets a third free checked bag as a card benefit. This saves you money if you travel with more luggage than the standard allowance.
You also receive a statement credit of $75 every year after your first year of card membership. This credit is applied automatically to your card account and can be used to pay your card balance or offset the annual fee. The $75 credit does not appear as a separate payment — it straightforward reduces what you owe on your card.
How to open a Southwest Visa card account
You can open a Southwest Visa card account online through Chase.com or through the Southwest Airlines website. Both routes lead to the same Chase process. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address to start the process.
Chase will ask you to verify your identity during the process. This usually happens when ready — they check your credit report and make a decision within minutes. If they need more information, they may ask you to verify your identity by phone or upload a document like a driver's license or passport.
Once approved, your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number when ready after approval so you can start earning points right away, even before the physical card arrives. To do this, log into your Chase account after approval and look for the option to add the card to your digital wallet.
When your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through your Chase online account. Then link it to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account so that points from your spending are credited to your account automatically.
Comparing the Priority and Plus cards
| Feature | Priority Card | Plus Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $69 | $35 |
| Points Per Dollar Spent | 1 point | 1 point |
| Priority Boarding | Yes | No |
| Free Checked Bag | Yes (3rd bag) | No |
| Annual Statement Credit | $75 | None |
| Sign-Up Bonus | Varies (typically higher) | Varies (typically lower) |
The Priority card makes sense if you fly Southwest at least a few times per year and value priority boarding and extra baggage. The $75 annual credit brings your net annual fee down to negative $6, meaning you come out ahead before you even earn a single point. The Plus card is better if you fly Southwest less frequently or do not care about priority boarding and checked baggage benefits.
What happens if you close the card
If you close your Southwest Visa card account, your points do not disappear when ready. Your Southwest Rapid Rewards account remains open as long as you have activity on it — either by flying Southwest, holding another Southwest co-branded card, or using points. However, if your Rapid Rewards account sits inactive for 24 months with no flights, card use, or point redemptions, Southwest will close the account and you lose any remaining points.
Before closing the card, consider whether you have points you want to use. You can redeem them for flights, transfer them to hotel and airline partners, or even gift them to someone else through the Southwest website. Once your account closes, those points are gone and cannot be recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn points on this card if I am not a Southwest frequent flyer?
Yes. You earn one point per dollar on every purchase regardless of whether you fly Southwest. However, the card only makes financial sense if you plan to use those points eventually. If you never fly Southwest, a cash-back card from another issuer may be a better choice.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee is charged automatically each year on your card anniversary. You can cancel the card anytime to stop future fees, but you will lose access to the rewards and benefits. Some cardholders cancel after the first year if they do not fly enough to justify the fee.
What is the difference between the sign-up bonus and regular points?
Sign-up bonus points are awarded once when you meet the spending requirement, usually within a few weeks of approval. Regular points are earned continuously as you use the card. Both types of points work the same way when you redeem them for flights — there is no difference in value.
Can I use my points on airlines other than Southwest?
Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be transferred to partner airlines and hotels, but the transfer rate is usually not favorable. Most people find it better to use points for Southwest flights directly. Check the Southwest website for current transfer partners and rates before transferring.
What happens to my points if I do not use my card for a long time?
Your points are safe as long as you use your card or fly Southwest at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for two years with no card use and no flights, Southwest closes your account and you lose the points. Setting a reminder to use the card once every two years is an straightforward way to keep your account active.