What the Southwest Airlines credit card does
Southwest Airlines offers a co-branded credit card through Chase that earns points on every purchase you make. Those points convert directly into Southwest flight credits you can use to book tickets on Southwest routes. The card also gives you a one-time bonus of points after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months of holding the card.
The card charges an annual fee, which Southwest offsets by giving you a companion pass benefit — a feature that lets a second person fly free (you pay taxes and fees only) when you book a paid Southwest ticket. This benefit resets each calendar year, so the value depends on how often you fly and whether you travel with someone regularly.
Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, Southwest points never expire as long as your account stays active. You can also transfer points to someone else's Southwest account or use them for hotel bookings and car rentals through Southwest's partners, though the point value is usually better when you redeem for flights.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns a fixed rate of points per dollar spent, with bonus categories for specific purchases like gas and restaurants depending on which version you hold.
- You receive a companion pass each calendar year that lets one person fly free (minus taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight when you pay for a ticket yourself.
- The annual fee is charged once per year; whether it makes sense depends on how much you fly and whether you use the companion pass benefit.
- Points earned through the card never expire and can be redeemed for Southwest flights, hotel stays, or car rentals through partner programs.
- Southwest offers two versions of the card with different earning rates and benefits, so comparing the two versions helps you pick the one that matches your spending.
The two versions and how they differ
Southwest offers the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card. Both earn points on all purchases and come with the annual companion pass, but they differ in earning rates and bonus categories.
The Premier Card earns a lower base rate but includes bonus categories for specific spending: you earn extra points on Southwest purchases, gas, restaurants, and hotel bookings. This version works better if you spend heavily in those categories. The Plus Card earns a higher base rate on all purchases but has no bonus categories, making it simpler if your spending is spread across many different merchants.
Both cards charge an annual fee. The fee is the same regardless of which version you choose. You can compare the earning rates and bonus categories on Chase's website to see which one aligns with where you actually spend money each month.
How the companion pass works
The companion pass is the main benefit that justifies the annual fee for most cardholders. When you book a paid Southwest flight for yourself, you can add a second passenger on the same flight for free — they pay only taxes and fees, which typically run $5 to $15 per flight segment.
The companion pass is valid for the calendar year in which you receive it. If you get the card in March, your first companion pass runs through December 31 of that year. When January 1 arrives, you receive a new companion pass for the new year. You do not need to do anything to set up it; it appears automatically in your Southwest account.
You can use the companion pass on any Southwest flight, including basic economy fares. The person flying free must be named when you book; you cannot add them later. If your companion does not use the pass before the year ends, it expires and does not roll over.
Earning rates and bonus categories
The Premier Card earns 1 point per dollar on most purchases, plus 2 points per dollar on Southwest flights, gas, restaurants, and hotels. If you spend $500 per month on gas and restaurants combined, that bonus category alone generates an extra $120 in annual point value compared to the base rate.
The Plus Card earns 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases with no bonus categories. This means you earn the same rate whether you are buying groceries, booking a hotel, or paying a utility bill. The higher base rate makes up for the lack of bonus categories if your spending is not concentrated in the Premier Card's bonus areas.
Both cards earn points on every purchase, including everyday expenses like groceries and gas. Points accumulate in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account and remain there indefinitely as long as you keep the account active. You can check your points balance anytime through the Southwest website or mobile app.
The sign-up bonus and how to use it
When you open either card, you receive a one-time bonus of points after you spend a certain amount within the first few months. The bonus amount and spending threshold change periodically, so check Chase's current offer before you explore. The bonus is typically worth between $100 and $200 in flight value, depending on the current promotion.
The bonus points post to your account automatically once you meet the spending requirement. You do not need to do anything special to claim them — just use the card for regular purchases and the points accumulate. Many people use the bonus to book a flight or to combine it with points earned from regular spending to cover a longer trip.
The bonus is a one-time offer per person, and you cannot receive it again if you have held the card in the past. Chase tracks this through your Social Security number, so opening and closing the card does not reset your may be able to access.
Annual fee and whether it pays for itself
The Southwest credit card charges an annual fee that appears on your statement once per year. This fee is not waived for the first year, so you pay it when ready after opening the card.
The companion pass benefit is designed to offset this fee. If you fly once per year with a companion, the free ticket (minus taxes and fees) typically covers the annual cost. If you fly more than once per year or travel with a companion regularly, the pass usually generates more value than the fee costs. If you never use the companion pass and do not fly Southwest, the card becomes expensive relative to the points you earn.
You can cancel the card anytime and stop paying the annual fee. There is no penalty for closing the account. If you decide the card is not worth it after the first year, you can cancel before the second annual fee posts.
Redeeming points for flights and other rewards
Points in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account convert into flight credits at a rate that varies by route and demand. A short flight might cost 6,000 points; a longer flight might cost 15,000 or more. Southwest publishes a points chart that shows the typical cost for different route lengths, though prices fluctuate based on how full the flight is.
To book a flight with points, log into your Southwest account, search for the flight you want, and select the option to pay with points instead of cash. The system shows you the points cost before you confirm. You can also call Southwest's phone line to book with points if you prefer not to use the website.
Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays and car rentals through Southwest's partner programs, though the point value is usually lower than when you use them for flights. You can transfer points to someone else's Southwest account if you want to help them book a trip, but the transfer cannot be reversed once it completes.
How to compare this card to other airline cards
The Southwest card works best if you fly Southwest regularly or live in a city where Southwest has frequent service. If you fly other airlines most of the time, a different airline card or a general travel rewards card might earn you more value.
Other airline cards offer similar companion pass benefits or higher earning rates on airline purchases. Some general travel cards earn points that work with multiple airlines, giving you more flexibility if you do not commit to one carrier. The right choice depends on which airline you fly most often and how much you value the companion pass versus a higher earning rate.
You can hold multiple airline cards at the same time, so some people carry the Southwest card for Southwest trips and a different card for other airlines. This approach lets you maximize rewards across all your travel, though it requires tracking multiple accounts and annual fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Southwest points to book flights for someone else?
You can transfer your points to another person's Southwest account, and they can then book their own flights. Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed, so make sure you intend to give the points away. You can also book a flight for someone else using your points if you have their name and contact information, though the ticket will be in their name.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Southwest Rapid Rewards account even after you close the credit card. The card and the rewards account are separate, so closing the card does not erase your points. You can continue to redeem points for flights as long as your rewards account remains active.
Does the companion pass work on all Southwest flights?
The companion pass works on any Southwest flight, including basic economy and sale fares. The only restriction is that the companion must be named when you book; you cannot add them to an existing reservation. The pass does not work on flights booked through third-party websites or travel agencies.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?
The time depends on how much you spend and which card you hold. If you spend $2,000 per month on the Plus Card at 1.5 points per dollar, you earn 3,000 points monthly, or 36,000 points per year. A short Southwest flight typically costs 6,000 to 8,000 points, so you could book a free flight every two to three months with that spending level.
Can I get the sign-up bonus again if I reopen the card after closing it?
No. Chase's rules prevent you from earning the sign-up bonus more than once per person in a given timeframe, even if you close and reopen the card. The restriction is based on your Social Security number, not the card itself, so opening a new card does not reset your may be able to access.