What the Chase Southwest Credit Card is and who it's designed for
The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It's designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or want to earn rewards specifically toward Southwest tickets and upgrades. Unlike general travel cards that let you redeem points anywhere, this card locks your rewards into the Southwest ecosystem — which means the value depends on how often you actually fly that airline.
Chase offers several versions of this card: the personal card, the business card, and a premium tier called the Priority card. Each has different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and earning rates. The basic personal card has no annual fee, while the Priority version charges an annual fee but includes perks like priority boarding and free checked bags.
You should consider this card if you fly Southwest at least a few times per year, or if you live in a city where Southwest is your primary carrier. If you rarely fly Southwest or prefer flexibility to use points on any airline, a general travel rewards card may serve you better.
Key Takeaways
- The no-annual-fee version earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases, while the Priority version earns higher rates but charges an annual fee you need to offset with flights.
- Sign-up bonuses typically offer a large point grant after you spend a set amount in the first few months, which can cover one or more Southwest flights.
- Points earned on this card can only be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and a few other Southwest-specific purchases — not for cash back or other airlines.
- The card includes benefits like free checked bags for the cardholder and companion on Southwest flights, which can save money if you check luggage regularly.
- You need a Southwest account to redeem points, and Southwest's award availability changes daily based on seat inventory.
How earning and redeeming points works on this card
Every dollar you spend on the card earns you Rapid Rewards points. On the no-annual-fee personal card, you earn 1 point per dollar on all purchases. The Priority card earns higher rates — typically 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on other travel and dining — but the annual fee means you need to fly enough to make that extra earning worthwhile.
Points are held in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, which is separate from your credit card account. You log into Southwest's website or app to see your point balance and search for award flights. When you find a flight you want, you can book it using points instead of paying cash. The number of points required varies by route, season, and how far in advance you book — a short flight might cost 6,000 points, while a cross-country flight could cost 25,000 or more.
You can also use points to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin, or to purchase gift cards that you or someone else can use to buy Southwest tickets. Points do not expire as long as you have some account activity at least once per year, such as earning or redeeming points.
Sign-up bonuses and how they work
Chase regularly offers sign-up bonuses on Southwest cards, typically in the form of a large point grant after you meet a spending requirement. For example, a current offer might be 60,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months. The exact bonus changes throughout the year, so the amount you see depends on when you explore.
To earn the bonus, you must complete the spending requirement within the stated timeframe — usually three months from account opening. The bonus posts to your account automatically once you meet the threshold; you do not need to request it. This bonus alone can cover multiple Southwest flights, depending on the routes you fly.
You can only earn one sign-up bonus per card product every 24 months, even if you close and reopen the card. Chase tracks this rule across all their cards, so opening multiple cards in a short time can affect your may be able to access for future bonuses.
Annual fees and benefits that offset them
The no-annual-fee personal card has no yearly cost, making it a low-risk option if you want to test whether the card fits your spending habits. You can use it for everyday purchases and earn points without worrying about a fee eating into your rewards.
The Priority card charges an annual fee, typically $99 or $69 depending on the current offer. This fee is worth considering only if you fly Southwest frequently enough to use the included benefits. The Priority card includes a free checked bag for you and one companion on all Southwest flights, which alone saves $30 to $35 per round trip if you check luggage. It also includes priority boarding, which lets you board earlier and choose better seats. If you take even two or three round trips per year and check bags, the fee can pay for itself.
Both versions include other perks like purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, which are standard on most Chase credit cards. Read the full benefits guide on Chase's website to see what protections explore to your specific card version.
how the process works and what happens after approval
You can explore for the Chase Southwest card on Chase's website or through a comparison site that links to Chase's process. The process asks for your name, address, income, employment status, and Social Security number. Chase runs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
You'll receive a decision within minutes to a few days. If approved, Chase mails your physical card within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a rush delivery in some cases, but standard delivery is the default. Once you receive the card, set up it through Chase's website or app before using it.
When you set up the card, you'll be prompted to link it to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, or to create one if you don't have one yet. This link is essential — without it, your spending won't earn points. If you skip this step during set up, you can link the card later through your Southwest account settings.
What to know about redeeming points for flights
Southwest uses a revenue-based pricing model for award flights, which means the number of points required changes based on the cash price of the ticket. A flight that costs $150 might require 8,000 points, while the same route on a busy day might cost $250 and require 12,000 points. This is different from some airlines that charge a fixed point amount regardless of demand.
Award availability is limited. Southwest releases award seats alongside paid seats, but not every flight has award inventory available. You search for flights on Southwest's website and filter by "Points" to see which dates have award availability. Popular routes and peak travel times fill up faster, so booking in advance improves your chances.
You can book an award flight up to 8 days before departure. If you want to fly further out, you'll need to check back closer to your travel date. You can also change or cancel an award booking without a fee, which gives you flexibility if your plans shift.
Comparing this card to other airline and travel cards
The Chase Southwest card makes sense if Southwest is your primary airline, but it's worth comparing to other options. A general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns points that work on any airline, hotel, or travel purchase, giving you more flexibility. However, those cards typically charge an annual fee and may not earn as many points per dollar on airline purchases.
If you fly multiple airlines, a card that earns points in a transferable program — like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards — lets you move points between airline partners. This spreads your earning across your actual travel patterns rather than locking you into one carrier.
The decision comes down to your travel reality: if you genuinely fly Southwest most of the time, the card's rewards align with your spending. If you split your flying across carriers or rarely fly at all, a flexible rewards card is probably a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points if I fly Southwest as a passenger on someone else's ticket?
No. Points are tied to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and can only be used to book tickets in your name or to purchase gift cards. If someone else buys you a ticket, you cannot redeem your points toward it. You can, however, use points to book a ticket for another person if you want to give them a flight.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and do not disappear when you close the credit card. The card and the rewards account are separate. You can continue to use your points to book flights even after the card is closed, as long as you have account activity at least once per year.
Do I earn points on balance transfers or cash advances?
No. Points are earned only on regular purchases made with the card. Balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not earn points. Stick to everyday spending — groceries, gas, dining — to build your point balance.
Can I transfer my points to someone else or to another airline?
Southwest points cannot be transferred to another person or airline. They stay in your account and can only be used for Southwest flights, upgrades, or gift cards. This is one reason to think carefully about whether Southwest is truly your primary airline before explore.
How do I know if an award flight is a good deal in points?
Compare the points cost to the cash price shown on the same search. If a flight costs $200 and requires 10,000 points, you're getting roughly 2 cents per point in value. If the same route costs $100 and requires 10,000 points, you're getting 1 cent per point. Higher-value redemptions are generally better, but the best deal is the one that gets you where you need to go.