What happens when you request a Southwest Airlines credit card

When you request a Southwest Airlines credit card, you submit financial information to Chase Bank, which issues the card on behalf of Southwest Airlines. Chase reviews your credit history, income, and existing debts to decide whether to approve you. The process takes a few minutes to a few hours if you request online, or up to two weeks if you request by mail. If approved, the card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

The Southwest Airlines credit card comes in two versions: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. Both earn points on purchases that you can use for flights, seat upgrades, and other Southwest services. The main difference is the annual fee — the Premier Card costs $69 per year, and the Plus Card costs $99 per year. Both cards waive the first-year fee if you request during a promotional period, which Chase runs several times per year.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request a Southwest Airlines credit card online at Chase.com, by phone at 1-800-432-3117, or by mail using a paper process.
  • Chase will review your credit score, income, and debt before deciding whether to approve you; most decisions happen within hours if you request online.
  • The card arrives in 7 to 10 business days after approval, and you can use it when ready for purchases that earn Rapid Rewards points.
  • Both versions of the card waive the annual fee for the first year during promotional periods, which typically run several times per year.
  • You earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases, plus bonus points on Southwest flights and other categories depending on which card you hold.

Requesting online through Chase

The fastest way to request a Southwest Airlines credit card is through Chase's website. Go to Chase.com, search for "Southwest Airlines credit card," and select either the Premier or Plus version. Click the "Request Now" button and enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and employment status.

Next, enter your annual income and select whether you rent or own your home. Chase will ask about your existing Chase accounts and other credit cards you hold. Answer honestly — Chase cross-checks this information against credit bureaus. After you submit, Chase displays a decision on screen within minutes in most cases. If approved, you receive a confirmation number and can set up online access to your account when ready.

Requesting by phone or mail

You can also request a Southwest Airlines credit card by calling Chase at 1-800-432-3117. A representative will ask the same questions as the online form and can answer questions about the card's benefits and earning rates. Phone requests take longer — usually 5 to 10 minutes — but some people prefer speaking to a person before committing.

Paper applications arrive by mail if you request one from Chase or receive one in a promotional mailing. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it back to the address printed on the process. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks for Chase to receive, review, and mail you a decision. This method is slower and less common now that online and phone options exist.

What Chase looks at before approving you

Chase uses your credit score as the primary factor in deciding whether to approve you. Most people with a credit score of 670 or higher are approved, though Chase does not publish a minimum score. If your score is below 650, approval is less likely but still possible depending on your income and credit history.

Chase also reviews how much debt you already carry and how often you pay on time. If you have missed payments in the past two years, Chase may deny you or offer you a lower credit limit. Your income matters too — Chase wants to see that you earn enough to handle the card's credit limit, which typically ranges from $500 to $5,000 for first-time cardholders.

Recent hard inquiries on your credit report can also affect approval. If you have requested multiple credit cards or loans in the past 30 days, Chase may see you as a higher risk. Space out credit requests by at least 30 days if you are planning to request several cards.

What to do if Chase denies your request

If Chase denies you, you receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason — usually "credit score too low," "too many recent inquiries," or "insufficient income." The letter includes a phone number to call if you want to discuss the decision with a representative.

You can request reconsideration by calling that number within 30 days. Have your most recent pay stub and tax return ready. A representative may approve you if your income is higher than what Chase initially reviewed, or if you can explain a recent hard inquiry. If reconsideration fails, wait at least 6 months before requesting again — this gives your credit score time to improve and removes older inquiries from your report.

Using the card after approval

Once your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your Chase account online. You can use it for purchases when ready. Every dollar you spend earns one Rapid Rewards point, regardless of category. Some purchases earn bonus points: 3 points per dollar on Southwest flights booked directly with Southwest, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and gas stations (Premier Card only), and 2 points per dollar at hotels and rental cars (Plus Card only).

Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, which you can view online. You redeem points for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and other services through your Southwest account. Points do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once per year — this includes earning or redeeming points, or flying on Southwest.

Annual fees and when they explore

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card charges $69 per year, and the Plus Card charges $99 per year. Both cards waive this fee for the first year during promotional periods. After the first year, the fee posts to your account on your card anniversary date — the same date each year that you requested the card.

You can cancel the card before your anniversary date to avoid paying the annual fee. However, canceling closes your account and removes the card from your credit mix, which can lower your credit score slightly. Many cardholders keep the card because the points they earn exceed the annual fee value, especially if they fly Southwest regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Chase does not publish a minimum credit score, but most approvals happen with a score of 670 or higher. If your score is between 650 and 670, approval is possible but less certain. Below 650, approval becomes unlikely unless your income is very high or you have an existing relationship with Chase.

Can I request the card if I have been denied before?

Yes. If Chase denied you in the past, you can request again after 6 months have passed. Use that time to pay down debt, fix errors on your credit report, or increase your income. When you request again, your credit score may be higher and older negative marks will have less impact.

How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?

This depends on how much you spend and how often you fly. Southwest flight prices vary widely — a short flight might cost 6,000 points, while a longer flight might cost 25,000 points or more. If you spend $1,500 per month on the card, you earn 1,500 points monthly, or 18,000 points per year. Most people earn a free flight within 6 to 12 months of regular spending.

What happens to my points if I cancel the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account even after you cancel the card. You can still redeem them for flights and upgrades. However, if your account has no activity for 24 consecutive months, Southwest may close your account and points expire. Keep your account active by flying Southwest or earning points through other methods.

Can I request multiple Southwest credit cards at once?

Chase typically limits you to one Southwest credit card at a time. If you already hold the Premier Card, you cannot request the Plus Card until you cancel the Premier Card. Some cardholders switch between the two versions to take advantage of promotional offers, but you must wait for the first card to be canceled before requesting the second.