What the Southwest Rapid Rewards Signature Card offers

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Signature is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It earns points on every purchase, with bonus points on Southwest tickets and other categories. The card comes with an annual fee, a sign-up bonus, and benefits tied to Southwest travel — including checked bag credits and priority boarding.

This card sits in the middle tier of Southwest's credit card lineup. It offers more perks than the no-annual-fee Southwest Rapid Rewards card, but fewer than the Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Signature or the premium Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card. Your choice depends on how often you fly Southwest and how much you value the included benefits against the annual cost.

Key Takeaways

  • The Signature card charges an annual fee (currently $69) but includes two free checked bags per year on Southwest flights, which can offset the cost if you check bags regularly.
  • You earn points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on Southwest tickets, dining, and gas — points transfer to your Southwest account and never expire.
  • The sign-up bonus requires you to spend a set amount within the first few months; the exact bonus and spending threshold change periodically.
  • The card includes benefits like priority boarding, a birthday bonus, and a companion pass opportunity that may appeal to frequent Southwest travelers.
  • Annual fees renew each year, so you should track the renewal date and decide whether the benefits justify keeping the card.

How points and earning rates work

Every purchase on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Signature card earns points at a base rate. Southwest tickets purchased directly from Southwest earn at a higher rate. Dining, gas, and some other categories also earn bonus points per dollar spent. The exact rates vary and can change, so check the current card terms before opening an account.

Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, not on the card itself. You transfer points to your account when you pay your credit card bill, or they may transfer automatically depending on how you set up the card. Points do not expire as long as your account remains active — meaning you can hold them indefinitely if you keep using your Southwest account or credit card.

Points convert to Southwest dollars at a set rate, and you use those dollars to book flights. You can also use points for upgrades, seat selections, and other Southwest services. The value you get per point depends on how you book and when you travel.

Annual fee and sign-up bonus

The card charges an annual fee each year. This fee posts to your account on the anniversary of when you opened the card. You are responsible for paying it as part of your credit card bill — it does not come out of your points balance.

New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe (usually three months). The bonus amount and spending threshold change periodically, so the offer you see today may differ from what was available last month or what will be available next month. Check the current offer before you explore.

To decide whether the card makes financial sense, compare the annual fee against the value of the included benefits — particularly the two free checked bags. If you fly Southwest twice a year and check a bag each time, the checked bag benefit alone may cover the annual fee, since Southwest charges per checked bag on most fares.

Checked bag credits and priority boarding

The Signature card includes two free checked bags per year on Southwest flights. This benefit applies when you are the passenger traveling, not when you are paying for someone else's ticket. You must present your physical card or use the card number to purchase the ticket for the benefit to explore.

The card also includes priority boarding, which means you board in an earlier group than passengers without the card. This matters on Southwest because seating is open — you choose your seat when you board, so earlier boarding gives you access to better seat locations. The exact boarding position depends on your frequent flyer status and whether you purchased early boarding separately.

A birthday bonus (usually points) posts to your account during your birthday month. The amount varies and is set by Southwest, not by Chase. You must have an active Southwest Rapid Rewards account linked to the card to receive this bonus.

Comparing the Signature card to other Southwest cards

Southwest offers three main credit cards: the no-annual-fee Rapid Rewards card, the Signature card (with annual fee), and the Priority card (higher annual fee, more benefits). The no-fee card earns points at lower rates and includes no checked bag credits. The Signature card sits in the middle. The Priority card charges a higher annual fee but includes four free checked bags per year, higher earning rates, and additional perks.

If you fly Southwest infrequently or do not check bags, the no-fee card may be a better fit. If you fly Southwest multiple times per year and value priority boarding and checked bag credits, the Signature card is designed for you. If you fly Southwest very frequently or want maximum perks, the Priority card offers more — but at a significantly higher annual cost.

You can hold multiple Southwest credit cards at once, though each card carries its own annual fee. Some people hold both the Signature and Priority cards to maximize benefits, but this only makes sense if the combined benefits exceed the combined annual fees.

How to use points and when they expire

Points sit in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and remain there until you use them. You can book flights, purchase upgrades, or buy gift cards with points. You can also transfer points to someone else's account, though this typically costs points and is not a common use.

Points do not expire as long as your Southwest Rapid Rewards account is active. Your account stays active if you have any account activity within a 24-month period — this includes earning points, using points, or even just logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for 24 months with no activity, Southwest may close it and you would lose your points.

The credit card itself does not need to stay open for your points to remain valid. If you close the card but keep your Southwest account active through other means (like flying or using a different Southwest card), your points stay in your account. However, if you close both the card and your Southwest account, you lose the points.

Annual fee renewal and when to close the card

The annual fee renews automatically each year on your card anniversary. Chase sends a notice before the fee posts, but you are responsible for tracking the date. If you decide the card no longer makes sense for you, you can close it before the anniversary date to avoid paying the fee again.

If you close the card after the fee has already posted, you can contact Chase and request a refund of the annual fee if you close the card within a certain window (usually 30 to 60 days after the fee posts). This policy varies, so ask Chase about their specific refund window when you call.

Before closing the card, make sure you have transferred any remaining points to your Southwest account or used them, since closing the card does not automatically move points anywhere. Your Southwest account itself can remain open indefinitely as long as you keep it active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the checked bag benefit or does it automatically explore?

The benefit only applies when you purchase a Southwest ticket using the card. You must present the physical card or use the card number at checkout for Southwest to recognize the benefit. If you buy a ticket with a different payment method, the checked bag benefit does not explore, even if you own the card.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account as long as the account remains active. Closing the credit card does not close your Southwest account or delete your points. However, if your Southwest account goes inactive for 24 months with no activity, Southwest may close it and you would lose the points.

Can I get the annual fee refunded if I change my mind?

Chase typically refunds the annual fee if you close the card within 30 to 60 days of the fee posting. Contact Chase directly to ask about their current refund policy and whether you fall within the window. After that window closes, the fee is usually non-refundable.

Do the two free checked bags explore to everyone traveling with me?

No. The benefit covers two checked bags for you as the cardholder. If you are traveling with family or friends, they would need to pay Southwest's checked bag fees unless they also have a Southwest credit card with checked bag benefits.

How do I know if the sign-up bonus is worth it?

Compare the bonus points against the annual fee and the minimum spending required. If the bonus points convert to a dollar value that exceeds the annual fee, and you can meet the spending requirement without changing your normal spending habits, the bonus may be worth it. Use Southwest's points calculator to estimate the value of the bonus in terms of flights or dollars.