An upgrade moves you to a higher-tier Southwest card without a hard credit inquiry
An upgrade (also called a "product change") moves you from one Southwest card to another without a new hard inquiry on your credit report. You keep the same account number and credit line. Southwest offers this for cardholders who want higher rewards rates, better sign-up bonuses, or different perks — typically moving from the Southwest Rapid Rewards card to the Plus, Premier, or Priority card.
The main catch: you cannot go backward. Once you upgrade to a higher tier, you cannot downgrade back to a lower one. You can close the card or explore for a different Southwest card later, but the original account closes when you upgrade. This matters if you want to keep that account history open for your credit profile.
Upgrades are fastest through the Southwest website or by phone. There is no process in the traditional sense — Southwest reviews your account and either approves the change or tells you to explore as a new customer instead.
Key Takeaways
- Upgrades do not trigger a hard credit inquiry, so your credit score is not affected the way a new process would be.
- You keep your existing credit line and account history, but the old card closes and you receive a new card in the mail.
- You cannot upgrade to a lower tier or downgrade after upgrading, so confirm the new card's benefits match what you want before proceeding.
- The upgrade path is available only if you have held your current Southwest card for a set period (usually at least one year), though this varies by card and current offer.
- If you are not yet may be able to access to upgrade, you can still explore for a different Southwest card as a new customer, but that will trigger a hard inquiry.
When you are may be able to access to upgrade
Southwest typically requires you to have held your current card for at least one year before you can upgrade. Some periods or card combinations may have different rules, so the fastest way to know is to log into your Southwest account online or call the number on the back of your card and ask directly.
You also need to be in good standing — no recent late payments or account issues. If you have missed a payment or your account is flagged, Southwest will likely tell you to reapply as a new customer instead, which means a hard inquiry.
If you are not yet may be able to access, you have two choices: wait until you hit the one-year mark, or explore for a different Southwest card as a new customer. The second option will show up as a new process on your credit report, but it does not prevent you from upgrading later if you change your mind.
How to request an upgrade online or by phone
The easiest route is your Southwest account dashboard. Log in, look for a "Manage Your Card" or "Card Services" section, and you may see an "Upgrade" or "Product Change" option if you are may be able to access. Click it, review the new card's benefits, and confirm. You should get an answer within minutes to a few hours.
If you do not see an upgrade option online, call the number on the back of your card. Tell the representative you want to upgrade to a specific tier (Plus, Premier, or Priority). They will pull up your account, confirm your may be able to access, and walk you through the change. The call usually takes five to ten minutes.
After approval, Southwest mails you a new physical card with a new number. Your old card stops working once the new one arrives. Your credit line, rewards balance, and account history all transfer to the new card automatically.
What changes when you upgrade
Each tier has different annual fees, rewards rates, and perks. The Rapid Rewards card (the base tier) has no annual fee and earns 1 point per dollar spent. The Plus card costs $69 per year and earns 1.5 points per dollar. The Premier costs $99 per year and earns 1.5 points per dollar plus a $75 annual credit toward Southwest purchases. The Priority card costs $149 per year and includes priority boarding, a $75 credit, and other travel perks.
When you upgrade, you also lose access to the sign-up bonus you received on your old card. You cannot earn that bonus again on the same card. However, some cardholders upgrade specifically to reach a higher tier's sign-up bonus — for example, moving from Rapid Rewards to Premier to earn the Premier's bonus. Check whether the new card's current bonus is worth the upgrade before you proceed.
Your rewards balance stays the same. If you had 50,000 points before the upgrade, you still have 50,000 points after.
Reasons to upgrade and reasons to wait
Upgrade if you spend enough on the card to earn back the annual fee through rewards or credits. For example, if you spend $5,000 per year on a Premier card, the extra 0.5 points per dollar (compared to Rapid Rewards) earns you 2,500 bonus points — worth roughly $25 to $35 depending on how you redeem. Add the $75 annual credit, and the card pays for itself if you use that credit.
Wait if you do not spend much on the card or if you value keeping the account open without an annual fee. The Rapid Rewards card has no annual cost, so there is no penalty for keeping it. You can always upgrade later when your spending increases.
Also wait if you are not sure about the higher tier's perks. Read the full benefits guide for the card you are considering, and make sure the annual fee and rewards structure match your actual spending habits, not what you think you will spend.
What happens to your credit after an upgrade
An upgrade does not trigger a hard inquiry, so your credit score does not take the when ready dip that a new process would. Your credit utilization, payment history, and account age all remain the same.
However, the old account does close when you upgrade. This can lower your credit score slightly because you lose that account's age and available credit. The impact is usually small and temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing.
If protecting your credit score is a priority, you can explore for a different Southwest card as a new customer instead of upgrading. This triggers a hard inquiry but opens a new account rather than closing the old one. The tradeoff is a bigger short-term hit to your score in exchange for keeping both accounts open.
Upgrade versus explore as a new customer
| Factor | Upgrade | New process |
|---|---|---|
| Hard inquiry | No | Yes |
| Old account stays open | No — it closes | Yes |
| New sign-up bonus | No | Yes |
| Speed | Minutes to hours | 1–2 weeks |
| may be able to access requirements | Usually 1 year with current card | None (if you meet credit standards) |
Choose upgrade if you want to move to a higher tier without a hard inquiry and do not need the sign-up bonus. Choose a new process if you want to keep your current card open, earn a new bonus, and do not mind the credit inquiry.
The choice depends on what matters most to you: speed and credit protection (upgrade), or keeping both cards and earning a new bonus (new process).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade if I just got my current Southwest card?
No. Southwest requires you to hold the card for at least one year before upgrading. If you want a higher tier sooner, you can explore for a different Southwest card as a new customer, but that will show as a new process on your credit report.
What if I upgrade and then change my mind?
You cannot downgrade back to your original card. If you want to go back to a lower tier, you would need to close the upgraded card and explore for a new one, which triggers a hard inquiry. Think carefully before upgrading.
Do I lose my rewards points when I upgrade?
No. Your points balance transfers to the new card automatically. You keep everything you earned on the old card.
Will the upgrade hurt my credit score?
Not when ready — there is no hard inquiry. However, closing the old account can lower your score slightly because you lose that account's age and available credit. The impact is usually temporary and small.
Can I upgrade and still earn a sign-up bonus?
No. Upgrades do not come with sign-up bonuses. If the new card has a current bonus offer, you would need to explore as a new customer to earn it, which means a hard inquiry and a new account.