Bottom line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card stands out as the top choice among Southwest Airlines’ personal credit card lineup, offering generous points earning potential and a plethora of benefits. If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, this card is an excellent fit for you.

4.0 Star FUNDSamentally Rating

At a glance

	Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card
Annual Fee	– $149
Sign up bonus	– Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Ongoing rewards	– 1x-3x Miles
Foreign transaction fee	– None
APR	– 21.49% – 28.49% based on your creditworthiness and other factors. These APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate
Value of points redeemed	– estimated to be around 1.5 cents per point
Balance transfer fee	– Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits	– Anniversary bonus: Every year on your card-opening anniversary, you’ll get 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, valued at $105, based on TPG’s estimations. – Annual Southwest travel credit: Throughout each cardmember year, you’ll get a $75 travel credit applicable to most Southwest purchases, reducing the card’s effective cost to $74. – 25% inflight savings: Enjoy a 25% statement credit for inflight purchases like drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging, and movies when using your card. – Tier qualifying points boost: Earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List and A-List Preferred status for each $5,000 spent in a calendar year.

Detailed overview

Card type: Airline.

Annual fee: $149.

Welcome offer: Special offer: Receive a Companion Pass® valid through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.

• 2 points per dollar spent on local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.

• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Elite status booster: Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points for every $10,000 in purchases, with no cap on earnings.

Interest rate: The ongoing APR ranges from 21.49% to 28.49% Variable APR.

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Perks and benefits: Receive a 7,500-point annual anniversary bonus; $75 annual Southwest travel credit; up to four upgraded boardings annually (based on availability); 25% back on in-flight purchases.

Travel protections: Enjoy auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch, and travel accident insurance.

Shopping protections: Benefit from extended warranty protection and purchase protection.

Benefits and perks

Solid sign-up bonus

For a limited time, you can earn a Companion Pass® valid until 2/28/25, along with 30,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Despite offering a sign-up bonus similar to other, more affordable Southwest consumer cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card provides additional benefits that justify its higher fee.

Extras

• Anniversary bonus: Every year on your card-opening anniversary, you’ll get 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, valued at $105, based on TPG’s estimations.
• Annual Southwest travel credit: Throughout each cardmember year, you’ll get a $75 travel credit applicable to most Southwest purchases, reducing the card’s effective cost to $74.
• 25% inflight savings: Enjoy a 25% statement credit for inflight purchases like drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging, and movies when using your card.
• Tier qualifying points boost: Earn 1,500 TQPs toward A-List and A-List Preferred status for each $5,000 spent in a calendar year.

Drawbacks and consideration

No luxury benefits

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers a robust set of features among Southwest Airlines credit cards. However, it maintains the airline’s no-frills approach. If you seek airport lounge access or credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, you’ll need to explore other options.

Is this card right for you?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is tailored for travelers who appreciate perks like the travel credit, upgraded boarding, and elite status enhancements. If you frequently fly with Southwest and aspire to attain A-List status or reside close to a Southwest hub, this card can offer significant value.