Southwest credit card referrals let you earn bonus points when someone you know opens a card using your unique link

When you hold a Southwest credit card, the card issuer gives you a referral link you can share with friends and family. If someone opens a Southwest card through your link, you both receive a bonus — typically 10,000 to 20,000 points, though the exact amount changes by card and by promotion period. The person you refer gets their standard new cardholder bonus, and you get an additional bonus on top of what you already earned when you opened your card.

The referral happens entirely through the card issuer's system. You share your link, they click it, they complete the process, and the points post to both accounts once the new cardholder meets the card's spending requirement. You do not need to do anything after sending the link.

Key Takeaways

  • Your referral link is unique to you and available in your online account or by calling the card issuer's customer service line.
  • Both you and the person you refer earn bonus points when they open a card through your link and meet the spending requirement.
  • There is no limit to how many people you can refer, but some card issuers cap the total referral bonuses you can earn per year.
  • The referral bonus is separate from the new cardholder bonus, so your friend gets both if they meet the spending requirement.
  • Referral bonuses typically post within one to three billing cycles after the new cardholder meets their spending requirement.

Where to find your Southwest referral link

Your referral link lives in your online account with the card issuer. Log in to your account, look for a section labeled "Refer a Friend," "Share and Earn," or similar language, and you will see your unique link. You can copy it and send it by email, text, or social media.

If you cannot find it online, call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative can provide your referral link over the phone or email it to you. Some card issuers also print the link on your statement or send it in periodic emails.

How much you earn per referral

The referral bonus varies by which Southwest card you hold and by the current promotion. The most common amounts are 10,000 points for a basic Southwest card and 20,000 points for a premium card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Southwest Rapid Rewards Business card. These amounts change periodically, so the bonus available when you refer someone may differ from what you earned when you opened your card.

There is no cost to you for making a referral, and the bonus does not reduce what the new cardholder receives. Both of you earn your full bonuses independently.

Annual caps on referral earnings

Most card issuers limit the total referral bonuses you can earn in a calendar year. Chase, which issues Southwest cards, typically caps referral earnings at a certain number of bonuses per year — this amount has varied, so check your account or call customer service for the current limit. Once you hit the cap, your referral link may stop earning bonuses until the next calendar year begins.

This cap applies to you as the referrer, not to the people you refer. Each person you refer can still earn their full new cardholder bonus and referral bonus.

When referral bonuses post to your account

The referral bonus does not post when ready. The new cardholder must first open the card and meet the spending requirement — usually a certain amount spent within the first few months. Once they do, both bonuses typically post within one to three billing cycles. You can check your account online or call customer service to see whether the spending requirement has been met and when you can expect the points.

If the new cardholder does not meet the spending requirement, neither of you receives the referral bonus. The new cardholder still receives their standard new cardholder bonus if they meet that requirement separately, but the referral bonus is tied to the spending threshold.

Who can you refer and what they need to do

You can refer anyone who does not already hold a Southwest credit card from the same issuer. Most card issuers require that the person you refer has not opened that specific card in the past 24 months. They cannot be an existing cardholder, and they cannot be you.

The person you refer straightforward needs to click your link and complete the process. They will see the new cardholder bonus offer as part of the process. Once approved and after they meet the spending requirement, both bonuses post automatically.

Referral bonuses versus sign-up bonuses

The referral bonus is separate from the new cardholder sign-up bonus. When someone opens a Southwest card through your link, they receive both: the standard new cardholder bonus (which they would get by opening the card any other way) plus the referral bonus (which they only get because they used your link). You also receive a referral bonus on top of the bonus you earned when you opened your card.

This means referrals are genuinely additive. If the current new cardholder bonus is 60,000 points and the referral bonus is 10,000 points, your friend gets 70,000 total points, and you get 10,000 additional points beyond what you already earned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refer someone who already has a different Southwest card?

No. The person you refer must not hold any Southwest credit card from the same issuer. If they have a different Southwest card (such as a business card when you hold a personal card), check with customer service about whether they are may be able to access, as the rules vary by card type and issuer.

What happens if the person I refer does not meet the spending requirement?

Neither of you receives the referral bonus. The new cardholder may still receive their standard new cardholder bonus if they meet that separate requirement, but the referral bonus is forfeited. You can share your link again with someone else.

Can I share my referral link on social media or a public website?

Yes. Your referral link is designed to be shared. Many people post it on social media, blogs, or community forums. There is no restriction on where you share it, though the person clicking it must still meet all other requirements to earn the bonus.

Do I lose my referral bonus if I close my card?

Referral bonuses that have already posted to your account are yours to keep. If you close your card before the referral bonus posts, contact customer service to confirm whether the bonus will still be credited. Policies vary, so it is worth asking before closing an account.

How many people can I refer in a year?

You can refer as many people as you want, but the card issuer caps the total referral bonuses you can earn per calendar year. Once you hit that cap, your link stops earning bonuses until January 1st. The exact cap varies by issuer and changes periodically, so check your account for the current limit.