Frequent Southwest fliers may want to open one of the Chase and Southwest co-branded credit cards to maximize the airline miles they can earn. But with three consumer credit cards — Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – it can be hard to narrow down the best option.
The cards have the same welcome bonuses, but the rewards programs, additional perks and annual fee vary. To help you decide which Southwest credit card is best for your needs, Select breaks down the new offers.
Current welcome bonus offer for Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards
New Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card applicants can take advantage of the same welcome bonus, regardless of whether they sign up for the Plus, Premier or Priority card: earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Compare Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card rewards and perks
Here is a break down of the different cards, their annual fees and other perks:
Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card comparion
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | |
| Annual fee | $69 | $99 | $149 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | None | None |
| Rewards | 2X points on every $1 spent on Southwest® purchases; 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming; 1X points on all other purchases. | 3X points on every $1 spent on Southwest® purchases; 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming; and 1X points on all other purchases. | 3X points on every $1 spent on Southwest® purchases; 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming; and 1X points on all other purchases. |
| Welcome bonus | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Anniversary bonus | 3,000 | 6,000 | 7,500 |
| Free checked bags | First and second | First and second | First and second |
| Annual Southwest travel credit | None | None | $75 |
| Southwest in-flight savings | None | None | 25% on inflight drinks and WiFi |
Bottom line
The best Southwest card depends on where you're traveling and the perks that matter the most you. All Southwest cards offer free first and second checked bags and all points you earn can be applied toward a Southwest Companion pass.
If the welcome bonus is all that matters to you, stick with Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, which has the lowest annual fee at $69 per year.
But if you plan on traveling outside the U.S., then you might want to go with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card since they charge no foreign transaction fees.
When it comes to added card benefits, the Priority card has the most perks, such as the annual $75 Southwest® travel credit and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases when you fly Southwest. It does come with the highest annual fee ($149), so you need to make sure you're spending enough on the card to make up for that cost.
If you're a frequent flier with another airline, check out our list of the best airline credit cards, or consider a general travel rewards card if you don't favor one airline.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable and phone services; select streaming. 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$69
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
3%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$99
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$149
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
