What a Southwest credit card offers

A Southwest credit card gives you rewards on purchases you make anyway, plus perks tied to Southwest flights. The main benefit is earning points toward free flights — you accumulate points on every dollar spent, and those points convert directly into Southwest flight bookings. You also get a sign-up bonus of points after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months, which typically covers one or more round-trip flights depending on the card.

Beyond points, the card includes benefits like free checked bags on Southwest flights (usually two bags per trip), priority boarding so you board earlier and get better seat selection, and discounts on things like in-flight purchases and seat upgrades. Some versions waive the annual fee in the first year. The specifics vary by which Southwest card you choose — the airline offers several versions through different banks.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn points on every purchase that you can redeem for Southwest flights with no blackout dates, meaning you can book any flight the airline operates.
  • The sign-up bonus typically gives you enough points for one or more free round-trip flights if you spend the required amount within the first few months.
  • Free checked bags save you money on every Southwest trip, since the airline charges for bags that most competitors include.
  • Priority boarding lets you choose your seat before most other passengers, which matters on Southwest since seating is not assigned in advance.
  • Annual fees range from $69 to $99 depending on the card version, though some waive the fee for the first year.

How points work and what they're worth

Southwest points are straightforward: one point equals one cent toward a flight. If a round-trip flight costs $300, you need 30,000 points to book it. You earn points at different rates depending on what you're buying — typically 1 point per dollar on most purchases, and 2 or 3 points per dollar on Southwest flights and partner purchases like hotels or rental cars.

Points never expire as long as your account stays active, and there are no blackout dates. You can book any Southwest flight whenever seats are available, which is different from some airline cards that restrict when you can use rewards. You can also transfer points to a travel companion's account or use them for things beyond flights, like hotel stays through Southwest's partners, though the point value is usually better when redeemed for flights.

Sign-up bonuses and how to reach them

When you open a Southwest card, you get a bonus of points after spending a set amount in the first three months — typically between 40,000 and 75,000 points depending on which card and current promotions. That spending requirement is usually $1,000 to $2,000. At the standard earning rate, that bonus alone covers a domestic round-trip flight for most routes.

To hit the spending threshold, you can use the card for regular expenses: groceries, gas, utilities, subscriptions. Some people time a large purchase like travel or home repairs to coincide with opening the card. The bonus posts to your account once the spending requirement is met, usually within one or two billing cycles.

Free checked bags and what that saves you

Southwest charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on each leg of a trip. With a Southwest credit card, you and anyone traveling on your ticket get two free checked bags per flight. On a family of four taking a round-trip, that's $560 in bag fees you avoid — often more than the card's annual fee in a single trip.

The free bag benefit applies as long as the cardholder is on the reservation, even if someone else paid for the ticket. This is one of the card's most concrete benefits because the savings are when ready and don't depend on how much you fly or spend.

Priority boarding and seat selection

Southwest doesn't assign seats in advance. Instead, you board in groups — A, B, or C — and pick your seat when you walk onto the plane. Priority boarding moves you into an earlier group, so you board before most other passengers and have more seat choices. This matters if you want to sit together as a family, prefer a window or aisle seat, or want to avoid the middle rows.

The priority boarding benefit applies to the cardholder on every Southwest flight, regardless of whether you paid with the card. Some card versions also extend priority boarding to a companion on the same reservation.

Annual fees and when they're worth it

Southwest cards charge $69 to $99 per year, though many waive the fee for the first year. To determine if the fee pays for itself, add up what you'd spend on checked bags alone. If you take even one round-trip flight per year with checked luggage, the free bag benefit typically covers the annual fee. Add in the sign-up bonus points and ongoing earning on everyday purchases, and the card usually makes financial sense for people who fly Southwest at least once or twice yearly.

If you don't fly Southwest or rarely check bags, the annual fee is harder to justify. Some people keep the card active just for the free bag benefit on occasional trips and don't use it for everyday spending.

Earning points on everyday purchases

You earn points on everything you buy with the card — groceries, gas, restaurants, subscriptions. The standard rate is 1 point per dollar. Some categories earn more: you typically get 2 or 3 points per dollar on Southwest flights booked directly with the airline, and bonus rates on partner purchases like hotels, car rentals, or dining programs depending on the card version.

If you spend $20,000 per year on the card at the standard 1 point per dollar rate, you earn 20,000 points — enough for a domestic round-trip flight. Higher spenders accumulate points faster. The card works best for people who use it for most of their regular spending and then concentrate that spending to earn bonus points in specific categories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fly Southwest to make the card worth it?

You need to fly Southwest at least occasionally for the free checked bag benefit to justify the annual fee. If you never fly Southwest or only fly other airlines, the card's rewards and perks won't offset the cost. The card is built around Southwest's specific benefits, not general travel rewards.

Can I use points for flights other than Southwest?

No. Southwest points work only for Southwest flights and partner redemptions like hotels or car rentals through Southwest's website. You cannot transfer points to other airlines or use them outside the Southwest ecosystem. This is a trade-off: you get no blackout dates and consistent point value, but less flexibility than cards that let you move points between programs.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest account and don't disappear when you close the card. However, if your entire Southwest account goes inactive for 24 months with no points activity, the points may expire. As long as you use your Southwest account for anything — even just checking your balance online — the points remain active.

Does the annual fee go up over time?

The annual fee is set when you open the card and stays the same each year you hold it. Southwest can change the fee for new cardholders, but your existing card keeps the same fee unless you close it and reopen it later. Check your card agreement for the exact fee you're being charged.

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

Most credit card issuers have rules about how often you can earn a bonus on the same card — typically once every 24 months. If you close the card and reopen it later, you may be able to earn another bonus, but the rules vary by bank. Check the current terms before explore if you've had a Southwest card before.