What Southwest credit cards do
Southwest credit cards are issued by Chase and tied to Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards loyalty program. When you use the card for purchases, you earn points toward free flights, seat upgrades, and other Southwest benefits. The card also gives you perks specific to Southwest travel — like two free checked bags on every flight and priority boarding — whether you use the card to pay or not.
Southwest offers several versions of its card, each with different annual fees and earning rates. The basic structure is the same across all of them: you spend money, you earn points, and those points convert to flights or other rewards. The main difference between cards is how many points you earn per dollar spent and what sign-up bonus the card offers when you first open it.
These cards are not travel insurance or trip protection plans. They are spending tools that funnel rewards into an airline loyalty account. You still pay for flights out of pocket unless you redeem points instead of cash.
Key Takeaways
- Southwest credit cards earn points on every purchase, and those points can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, or other rewards through the Rapid Rewards program.
- All Southwest cardholders get two free checked bags and priority boarding on every Southwest flight, regardless of which card version you hold.
- Chase offers multiple Southwest card versions with different annual fees, earning rates, and sign-up bonuses — the right card depends on how much you fly and spend.
- Points do not expire as long as your account stays active, but the card itself has an annual fee that renews each year unless you close the account.
- You must have a Southwest Rapid Rewards account to use the card; opening the card creates one automatically if you do not already have it.
The three main Southwest card versions from Chase
Chase currently offers three Southwest credit cards: the Southwest Rapid Rewards Classic, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier. Each card earns the same points per dollar on most purchases, but they differ in annual fee, sign-up bonus, and some secondary perks.
The Classic card has the lowest annual fee and is the entry point if you want to test whether the rewards are worth it to you. The Plus card costs more per year but includes additional perks like a points bonus on your card anniversary each year. The Premier card is the highest tier, with the highest annual fee and the most generous anniversary bonus. None of these cards is objectively "best" — the right choice depends on how much you spend and how often you fly Southwest.
All three cards earn the same base rate: 1 point per dollar on most purchases, and 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and at restaurants. The sign-up bonus varies by card and changes periodically, so the amount you see when you explore may differ from what another person sees or what was offered last month.
How to open a Southwest credit card
You can open a Southwest card directly through Chase's website or by calling Chase customer service. You will need your Social Security number, current address, employment information, and annual income. Chase will pull your credit report to make a lending decision, which typically takes a few minutes.
If you are approved, the card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through the Chase website or mobile app, then link it to your Southwest Rapid Rewards account. If you do not already have a Rapid Rewards account, opening the card creates one automatically and assigns you a confirmation number.
If you are denied, Chase will mail you a letter explaining why. You can contact Chase to ask about reapplying, but there is no formal appeal process for credit decisions.
Understanding the annual fee and when it renews
Each Southwest card charges an annual fee that renews on the same date every year. The Classic card's fee is lower than the Plus or Premier cards. This fee is charged whether you use the card or not, so you need to decide whether the rewards and perks justify the cost.
The annual fee posts to your account on your card anniversary — the date you opened the card. You will see it as a charge on your statement. If you close the card before that date, you will not be charged the fee for the next year. If you close it after the fee posts, you cannot get it refunded.
Some cardholders keep the card open specifically to retain the free checked bags and priority boarding benefits on Southwest flights, even if they do not use the card for everyday spending. Others close the card after the annual fee posts if they have not flown Southwest in that year. Both approaches are common.
How points work and what they are worth
Points are the currency of the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. You earn them by using your card, and you redeem them by booking flights through Southwest's website or calling Southwest reservations. One point does not equal one dollar — the value depends on the flight you book. A short domestic flight might cost 6,000 points, while a longer route might cost 10,000 or more.
Points do not expire as long as your Rapid Rewards account remains active. Activity means you have earned or redeemed points within the last 24 months. If your account goes dormant for more than 24 months, Southwest may close it and you lose the points. Keeping the credit card open counts as account activity, so most cardholders do not face this risk.
You can also use points for seat upgrades, gift cards, hotel stays, or car rentals through the Rapid Rewards program, though flights are the most common redemption. The point value varies depending on what you redeem for.
The free checked bags and priority boarding benefit
Every Southwest cardholder gets two free checked bags on every Southwest flight, and this benefit applies even if someone else is flying on your ticket. You do not need to use the card to pay for the ticket — the benefit is tied to your Rapid Rewards account, not the payment method. This alone saves most frequent Southwest flyers $50 to $100 per year.
Priority boarding means you board in an earlier group than passengers without the card. Southwest does not assign seats, so boarding order determines where you sit. Earlier boarding usually means better seat options and a higher chance of sitting with travel companions.
These benefits start as soon as your card is approved and your Rapid Rewards account is linked. You do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive to use them — you can add your Rapid Rewards number to your Southwest booking when ready.
What happens if you close the card
If you close a Southwest credit card, your Rapid Rewards account and all your points remain active. You keep any points you have earned, and you can still redeem them for flights. You straightforward lose the ability to earn new points with that card and you lose the free checked bags and priority boarding benefits.
Closing the card does not hurt your credit score directly, though it does reduce your total available credit, which can affect your credit utilization ratio. If you are thinking about closing the card to avoid the annual fee, you can also call Chase and ask if they will waive the fee or offer you a different card with a lower fee instead.
If you have multiple Southwest cards open, closing one does not affect the others. Your points remain in the same Rapid Rewards account across all cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Southwest card to book flights for other people?
Yes. You can book flights for anyone using your card to pay. The free checked bags and priority boarding benefits explore to whoever is flying on that ticket, not just the cardholder. The points you earn go into your Rapid Rewards account.
What if I want to switch from one Southwest card to another?
You can open a second Southwest card while keeping your first one open, or you can close the first card and open a new one. If you close first, wait at least 30 days before opening a new Southwest card to avoid triggering Chase's rules about multiple applications. Your points stay in your Rapid Rewards account no matter which card you hold.
Do I have to use the card for everyday purchases to make it worth it?
No. Many cardholders keep the card open just for the free checked bags and priority boarding, and only use it occasionally for Southwest purchases or restaurant spending. Whether the annual fee is worth it depends on how often you fly Southwest and whether those two perks save you money compared to the fee.
What is the difference between earning points with the card and earning points through flights?
You earn points two ways: by charging purchases to the card, and by flying Southwest and earning points based on the fare you paid. Both types of points go into the same Rapid Rewards account and can be combined to book flights. The card is just one way to accumulate points faster.
Can I transfer my points to another airline or person?
Southwest does not allow point transfers to other people or other airlines. Points are locked to your Rapid Rewards account. You can redeem them for flights for other people, but you cannot move the points themselves to someone else's account.