What the Southwest Chase Credit Card is and who it's built for

The Southwest Chase credit card is a co-branded card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It's designed for people who fly Southwest regularly or want to earn rewards that work specifically with Southwest bookings. Unlike a general rewards card that gives you points for any purchase, this card earns you Rapid Rewards points — Southwest's loyalty currency — on every dollar you spend, whether you're buying groceries or paying a utility bill.

The card makes sense if you fly Southwest at least a few times a year and would use the points for actual flights rather than letting them sit unused. It's less useful if you rarely fly, prefer other airlines, or want maximum flexibility in how you redeem rewards.

Chase currently offers multiple versions of this card — typically a no-annual-fee version and a premium version with an annual fee but higher rewards and perks. The specific features and earning rates change periodically, so the details you see when you look at the card offer may differ from what's described here.

Key Takeaways

  • The Southwest Chase card earns Rapid Rewards points on all purchases, and those points can only be redeemed for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and a few other Southwest-specific benefits.
  • The no-annual-fee version exists but typically earns fewer points per dollar than the premium version, which charges an annual fee (usually $69 to $99) and includes perks like a free flight voucher.
  • You'll earn a large bonus of points after you meet a spending requirement in the first few months — this bonus is often worth more than a year of regular spending rewards.
  • Rapid Rewards points never expire as long as your account stays open and active, but closing the card means you lose access to your points.
  • The card's value depends entirely on whether you actually use Southwest flights; if you don't fly Southwest, the points are worthless to you.

How Rapid Rewards points work and what you can do with them

Every time you use the Southwest Chase card, you earn Rapid Rewards points. The earning rate varies by card version — the premium card typically earns more points per dollar than the no-annual-fee version. You can also earn points by flying Southwest, booking through their website, or using partner merchants like hotels and rental car companies.

Points are redeemed directly for Southwest flights. You log into your Southwest account, search for a flight, and pay the full price in points instead of dollars. The number of points required for a flight varies based on the route, time of year, and how far in advance you book — a short flight might cost 5,000 points while a cross-country flight could cost 15,000 or more.

Beyond flights, you can use points to purchase seat upgrades (like Early Bird Check-In or upgraded boarding), gift cards, or hotel stays through Southwest's partners. However, most cardholders use points for flights because that's where the value is clearest.

The sign-up bonus and how to think about it

When you open a Southwest Chase card, you're offered a sign-up bonus — typically 40,000 to 75,000 Rapid Rewards points if you spend a certain amount (usually $1,000 to $2,000) within the first three months. This bonus is the main reason people open these cards. A 50,000-point bonus, for example, could cover most or all of a domestic round-trip flight.

To get the bonus, you must meet the spending requirement within the timeframe stated in the offer. This means you need to actually plan to spend that amount anyway — don't open the card just to chase the bonus if you'll have to make purchases you wouldn't otherwise make. The interest you'd pay on those extra purchases would wipe out the bonus value.

The bonus is a one-time offer. You can't earn it again if you close the card and reopen it later, though Chase's rules about how long you must wait before opening another Southwest card do change.

Annual fees, perks, and whether the premium card pays for itself

The no-annual-fee Southwest Chase card has no yearly cost but earns fewer points per dollar spent. The premium version charges an annual fee (typically $69 to $99, depending on the specific card) but includes benefits designed to offset that cost.

The most valuable perk is usually a free flight voucher or anniversary bonus points that arrive each year on your card anniversary. If the voucher covers a flight you'd otherwise pay for, it can cover most or all of the annual fee. Other perks might include priority boarding, free checked bags (though Southwest already allows two free checked bags for all passengers), or bonus points on certain purchases.

Whether the premium card makes financial sense depends on how much you fly and whether you'd use the anniversary bonus. If you take at least one Southwest flight per year, the premium card often pays for itself. If you rarely fly, the no-annual-fee version is the better choice.

How the card affects your credit and what happens if you close it

Opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. This effect usually fades within a few months. The card also becomes part of your credit mix and payment history, which can help your score over time if you pay the bill on time.

Your Rapid Rewards points are tied to your Southwest account, not to the card itself. If you close the card, you keep the points as long as your Southwest account remains active. However, if your Southwest account goes inactive (typically after 24 months with no activity), your points expire. So closing the card is fine, but you need to use your points or keep your account active somehow.

If you carry a balance on the card, you'll pay interest on that balance just like any other credit card. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Carrying a balance defeats the purpose of the rewards — you'll pay far more in interest than the points are worth.

Comparing this card to other airline cards and general rewards cards

If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or a flat-rate cash-back card) might be better because you can use the rewards on any airline. If you're loyal to a different airline, that airline's co-branded card might offer better rewards for your situation.

The Southwest card's advantage is that Rapid Rewards points are relatively straightforward to earn and don't expire. Its disadvantage is that you're locked into Southwest — if your travel plans change or you want to fly a different airline, the points become useless. A general rewards card gives you more flexibility but might earn fewer points per dollar on airline purchases.

The best choice depends on your actual travel patterns. If you genuinely fly Southwest multiple times a year, the Southwest card usually wins. If you fly different airlines or rarely fly, a general rewards card is safer.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is opening the card for the sign-up bonus and then not using it for actual Southwest flights. Points sitting in your account are worthless — they only have value when you redeem them. If you're not sure you'll fly Southwest in the next year or two, don't open the card.

Another common mistake is carrying a balance on the card to earn more rewards. The interest you pay will always exceed the value of the points you earn. Use the card only for purchases you can pay off in full each month.

A third mistake is closing the card when ready after using the sign-up bonus. While you keep your points, closing the card can hurt your credit score slightly (it reduces your available credit and shortens your average account age). If you don't want to pay the annual fee, wait at least a year before closing, and make sure your Southwest account stays active so your points don't expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Rapid Rewards points on airlines other than Southwest?

No. Rapid Rewards points can only be used for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, and a limited set of Southwest partner products. If you want to fly another airline, the points are worthless. This is the main trade-off of airline-specific cards — you get better earning rates, but you lose flexibility.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest account and remain yours to use. However, if your Southwest account has no activity for 24 months, the points expire. To keep them, you need to either redeem them for a flight or maintain some activity on your Southwest account (like earning points through flying or partner purchases).

Do I need to be a frequent Southwest flyer to make this card worth it?

Not necessarily. Even one or two flights per year can make the card worthwhile if you use the sign-up bonus strategically. The sign-up bonus alone often covers a domestic round-trip flight, so you break even on the card's value when ready. After that, the ongoing rewards are a bonus.

Is the premium version worth the annual fee?

It depends on whether you use the perks. If you fly Southwest at least once a year and can use the anniversary bonus or free flight voucher, the premium card usually pays for itself. If you rarely fly or don't value the perks, the no-annual-fee version is the better choice.

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

No. Once you've earned the bonus on a Southwest Chase card, you can't earn it again on the same card. Chase has rules about how long you must wait before opening another Southwest card to earn another bonus, and these rules change periodically. Check Chase's current terms before explore a second time.