How to enroll in Southwest Rapid Rewards
You can enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card through Southwest Airlines' official website, by phone, or in person at a Southwest ticket counter. The card is issued by Chase, so the enrollment process runs through Chase's process system. You will need to provide your Social Security number, income information, and standard identity details. Once approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
The fastest route is online at southwest.com or chase.com. Both sites have the same process form. You will see your approval decision when ready or within a few minutes — most decisions are when ready. If you are approved, you can start using your card as soon as it arrives, and you can add it to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) before the physical card reaches you.
If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call Chase at the number on the back of any Chase card you already hold, or call Southwest directly at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792). A representative can walk you through the process over the phone and answer questions about rewards, annual fees, or card benefits before you commit.
Key Takeaways
- You can explore online at southwest.com or chase.com and receive an approval decision within minutes.
- The card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use it in your digital wallet when ready after approval.
- You will need your Social Security number, current income, and basic identity information to complete the process.
- Chase will check your credit report, so your credit score affects whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.
- If you are denied, you can reapply after addressing the reason — usually a low credit score or recent negative marks on your credit report.
What information you need before you start
Gather your Social Security number, a government-issued ID (driver's license or passport), and your most recent income information before you begin. If you are self-employed, have a recent tax return or profit-and-loss statement ready. If you receive income from multiple sources, have those figures available too — the process asks for total annual income, not just employment income.
You will also need your current address and phone number. Have a valid email address ready, because Chase will send your approval confirmation and card tracking information there. If you have moved recently, make sure the address you enter matches what appears on your credit report — mismatches can slow down approval or cause the process to be flagged for review.
The online process process, step by step
Go to southwest.com/credit-cards or chase.com and find the Southwest Rapid Rewards card. Click "explore Now" or the equivalent button. You will be taken to Chase's process page.
Enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email. The form will ask whether you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident — you must be one or the other to hold a U.S. credit card. Answer honestly; lying on a credit process is fraud.
Enter your employment and income information. You will be asked for your employer name, job title, and annual income. If you are self-employed, select that option and enter your self-employment income. If you receive Social Security, disability, or other non-employment income, you can include that in your total. The process does not ask you to prove income at this stage — verification happens later if Chase requests it.
Review the terms and conditions, then submit. Chase will check your credit report when ready. You will see one of three outcomes: approved, denied, or pending review. Most decisions are when ready. If your process is pending, Chase will call or email you within 1 to 2 business days with a decision.
What happens after you are approved
Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email with your process reference number and expected card arrival date. Your new card account opens when ready, even though the physical card is still in the mail. You can log into your Chase account online or through the Chase mobile app to see your new card details, set up autopay, and track your rewards.
You can add your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay as soon as you receive your card number — you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive. This means you can start earning Rapid Rewards points right away by using your digital wallet at merchants that accept contactless payment.
When your physical card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through your Chase account online. Set up a PIN if you plan to use it at ATMs. Review your credit limit and contact Chase if you want to request a higher limit after you have used the card responsibly for a few months.
If your process is denied
A denial usually means your credit score is below Chase's minimum threshold for this card, or your credit report shows recent negative marks like late payments, collections, or a recent bankruptcy. Chase will send you a letter explaining the reason within 30 days. Read it carefully — it tells you exactly what to address.
If your score is the issue, wait 6 to 12 months and reapply. In the meantime, pay all bills on time, pay down existing credit card balances, and check your credit report for errors at annualcreditreport.com (the only free, official source). If you find errors, dispute them with the credit bureau — correcting them can improve your score quickly.
If you were denied because of recent negative marks, those items will age off your report over time. Late payments stop affecting your score after 7 years; collections after 7 years; bankruptcy after 7 to 10 years depending on the type. You can reapply once enough time has passed or after you have rebuilt your credit with a secured card or credit-builder loan.
Comparing Southwest Rapid Rewards to other Southwest cards
Southwest offers three versions of the Rapid Rewards card: the standard card, the Plus card, and the Premier card. All three earn the same rewards rate (points per dollar spent), but they differ in annual fees and sign-up bonuses. The standard card has no annual fee. The Plus card charges an annual fee but includes two free checked bags per year and priority boarding. The Premier card charges a higher annual fee but adds more perks like a companion pass discount.
Choose based on how often you fly Southwest. If you fly fewer than four times per year, the no-fee standard card makes sense. If you fly regularly and check bags, the Plus or Premier card may pay for itself through the checked-bag benefit alone. You can always start with the standard card and upgrade later if your travel habits change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does approval take?
Most applications receive an when ready decision online. If your process goes to manual review, Chase will contact you within 1 to 2 business days. Once approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use it in your digital wallet when ready after approval.
What credit score do I need?
Chase does not publish a minimum credit score for the Southwest Rapid Rewards card, but most cardholders have scores of 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, approval is unlikely. Check your score for free at annualcreditreport.com or through your bank before you explore.
Can I explore if I have had a recent bankruptcy or late payment?
You can explore, but approval is unlikely if the negative mark is very recent (within the last 12 months). If you were denied, wait at least 6 to 12 months, then reapply. In the meantime, focus on paying all bills on time and paying down existing balances.
Do I have to set up my card before I use it?
You should set up your card when it arrives, either by calling the number on the back or through your Chase account online. Some merchants may decline an unactivated card. set up takes less than a minute and protects you against fraud.
Can I transfer my existing Southwest card to the Rapid Rewards card?
No. If you already have a Southwest card with a different issuer or a different rewards program, you will need to close that card separately. Opening the Rapid Rewards card does not automatically close your old card. Contact your current card issuer to close it if you no longer want it.