What this card does and who it's built for

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. It's designed for people who fly Southwest regularly and want to earn points toward free flights, plus get perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. The card charges an annual fee — currently $69 — which you pay once a year whether you use the card or not.

This card makes the most sense if you take at least one or two Southwest flights per year and would otherwise pay for checked bags or seat upgrades. If you rarely fly or never choose Southwest, the annual fee and rewards structure won't save you money. If you fly Southwest constantly, Southwest offers a higher-tier card (the Rapid Rewards Premier) with more benefits, though it costs more annually.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else, which you redeem for Southwest flights, seat upgrades, or gift cards.
  • The card includes a $69 annual fee, two free checked bags per flight, priority boarding, and a points bonus after you spend a set amount in the first few months.
  • The points never expire as long as your account stays open, but the card's value depends on whether you actually fly Southwest and use the included perks.
  • You need decent credit (typically a score of 670 or higher) to be approved, and approval decisions usually come within a few minutes of explore online.
  • The card's rewards are only useful if you book directly through Southwest; points don't work with other airlines or travel sites.

How you earn and use points

Every dollar you spend on Southwest purchases earns 2 Rapid Rewards points. Everything else — groceries, gas, restaurants, utilities — earns 1 point per dollar. You accumulate these points in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, which is separate from your credit card account but linked to it.

One point is worth roughly 1 cent when you redeem it for a flight, though the actual value varies by route and demand. A flight that costs $200 might require 20,000 points; a flight that costs $400 might require 40,000 points. You can also use points to upgrade your seat, buy gift cards, or donate to charity, but flights are where most cardholders use them. Points never expire as long as you keep your account open and earn or redeem at least once every 24 months.

You book and redeem points directly through Southwest's website or app — not through a travel site, not through Chase, and not through a phone agent (though agents can help). This matters because points booked through third-party sites don't count toward your rewards.

The annual fee and what comes with it

You pay $69 once per year, usually on your card anniversary (the date you were approved). This fee is not waived in the first year — you pay it when ready. The card's value depends on whether you use the benefits that come with it.

The two most valuable perks are the two free checked bags per flight and priority boarding. If you normally pay $30 to $35 per checked bag on Southwest, and you take two round trips per year, that's $120 to $140 in bag fees alone — which already covers the annual fee. Priority boarding (called "A-List Preferred" status) lets you board earlier, which matters if you care about overhead bin space or seat choice. You also get a 10% discount on in-flight purchases like drinks and snacks.

The card also includes trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency medical coverage when you charge your ticket to the card. These are backup protections, not primary reasons to get the card, but they exist.

The sign-up bonus and spending requirement

When you're approved, you'll see a bonus offer — typically something like 40,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first three months. The exact bonus and spending requirement change throughout the year depending on what Southwest and Chase are promoting. You can check the current offer on Chase's website or by calling the number on the back of a Southwest boarding pass.

The bonus points are real points that you can use to book flights, but you have to meet the spending requirement to get them. The clock starts the day your account opens. Spending includes regular purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances, though cash advances usually come with a fee and higher interest rate, so they're not worth it just to hit the threshold.

If you don't spend enough to hit the bonus, you straightforward don't receive those points — there's no penalty beyond missing out. If you do hit it, the points usually post to your account within a few days of the spending requirement being met.

Credit score and approval process

Chase typically approves people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though some people with lower scores have been approved and some with higher scores have been denied. Your score is just one factor — Chase also looks at your income, existing debts, and how long you've had credit accounts open.

You explore online through Chase's website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment, and Social Security number. Most decisions come back when ready or within a few minutes. If you're approved, you can start using the card within days — Chase will mail it to you, or you can request expedited delivery in some cases.

If you're denied, Chase will mail you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or too much existing debt relative to your income. You can reapply after addressing those issues, though waiting 3 to 6 months between applications usually gives you a better chance.

Interest rates, fees, and what happens if you carry a balance

The card's interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness. It's typically between 18% and 28%, though you'll see your exact rate in the approval letter or by logging into your account after approval. This rate applies only if you carry a balance — if you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.

Beyond the annual fee, there are no other regular fees. You won't pay a foreign transaction fee if you use the card abroad, which is useful if you're traveling internationally. Late payments trigger a late fee (usually $25 to $39 depending on how late you are) and can damage your credit score, so set up automatic payments if you tend to forget.

If you do carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly outweigh any rewards you're earning. A $2,000 balance at 24% APR costs about $40 per month in interest alone. This is why the card only makes financial sense if you pay it off in full each month.

Comparing this card to other Southwest options

Southwest offers two other co-branded cards through Chase: the Rapid Rewards Plus (no annual fee but fewer perks) and the Rapid Rewards Premier ($99 annual fee with more perks). The Priority card sits in the middle.

The Rapid Rewards Plus has no annual fee and earns the same points (2 per dollar on Southwest, 1 on everything else), but it doesn't include free checked bags or priority boarding. It's worth considering if you fly Southwest occasionally but don't want to pay an annual fee. The Premier card costs $99 per year but includes more benefits like a higher points bonus after spending, a free flight certificate each year, and higher tier status with Southwest's frequent flyer program.

If you're comparing to non-Southwest airline cards, remember that Southwest points only work for Southwest flights. A card from another airline might offer better rewards if you fly multiple carriers or prefer a different airline's routes and prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account as long as you keep that account active. Closing the credit card doesn't close your Rapid Rewards account. However, if your Rapid Rewards account goes inactive (no earning or redeeming for 24 months), Southwest will close it and your points will be lost. You can keep the account active by taking even one Southwest flight per year or by using a different Southwest credit card.

Can I use points to book flights for other people?

Yes. You can book flights for family members, friends, or anyone else using your points. You'll need their name and confirmation details, but the points come from your account. Some people use this to give flights as gifts, though you can't transfer points directly to another person's account.

Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?

No. The annual fee doesn't earn points. Only purchases you make with the card earn points. This is standard across most credit cards.

What if I'm denied for the card?

Chase will mail you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent applications, or high existing debt. You can reapply after 3 to 6 months, especially if you've improved your credit score or paid down debt in the meantime. You can also call Chase to ask if there's anything you can do to strengthen your process before reapplying.

Is the sign-up bonus worth the annual fee?

Usually yes, if you meet the spending requirement. A 40,000-point bonus is worth roughly $400 to $500 in flight value, which covers the $69 annual fee and gives you extra value. However, you have to actually use those points on Southwest flights for them to be worth anything. If you don't fly Southwest, the bonus doesn't help.