Rewards
Signup Bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within your first 3 months.
Redeeming Rewards
The most frequent use of Rapid Rewards Points is for free airfare on Southwest. Unlike some other airlines, there is no set number of points needed for travel. Instead, the number of points required for a free airline ticket depends on “destination, time, day of travel, demand, fare class, point redemption rate, and other factors and is subject to change,” according to Southwest Airlines.
To give you an idea of the value of the points, here are the redemption values on several flights (keep in mind that these can change daily):
| From | to | Estimated Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Los Angeles | 22,074 |
| New York City | Los Angeles | 29,250 |
| New York City | Chicago | 19,890 |
| New York City | Chicago | 19,890 |
You can also use points for rental cars, hotels, gift cards, and other rewards. Here the points are typically worth 1 cent (e.g., $100 Best Western travel card costs 10,000 points).
Pros & Cons
- Welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
- Up to 3x rewards
- Annual fee
- Requires good credit
Features & Benefits
| Security | Zero Liability, Alerts |
| Contactless Payments | Tap to Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Benefits | 24/7 customer service |
| Travel Perks | Free Checked Bags |
Interest Rates & Fees
| Annual Fee | $99 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Regular APR | 18.24% - 25.24% (V) APR |
Our Take
Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card best for?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is of course for those who love to fly Southwest Airlines. Those who earn all of the bonus points could get several flights for free, depending on the cost of the flight.
Who would do better with a different card?
Those who aren’t loyal to Southwest Airlines or don’t travel frequently may do better with a different travel rewards credit card. Specifically, you might be better with a travel card that is not specific to a particular airline. These cards allow you to earn points or miles that can be used for any airline, hotel or car rental company.
Credit Needed for Approval
Before getting to the credit needed, keep in mind that all of the Chase Southwest personal credit cards are subject to the 5/24 rule. If you’ve applied for five Chase credit cards in the past 2 years, you’ll be automatically rejected. In addition, you won’t be eligible for this offer if you already have a Southwest personal card or have received a signup bonus on a personal Southwest credit card in the past 24 months.
In terms of credit, LendingTree reports that the credit score range for approval is 750 to 850. The lowest score was 607. Keep in mind, however, that credit card issuers consider a lot more than just your credit score. They look at your income and existing debts, among other things.
What are the best alternatives?
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rating
Rewards Range
2x - 5x
Annual Fee
$95
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating
Rewards Range
1x - 5x Points
Annual Fee
$95
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rating
4.5
Rewards Range
1x-10x
Annual Fee
$695
FAQs
Which Southwest credit card is best?
The answer will depend on how frequently you fly Southwest. For most travelers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers the best mix of rewards with a reasonable annual fee.
How much are Southwest points worth?
The value will depend on how you use the points. Our analysis shows that generally 50k points are worth roughly two domestic round-trip flights in the continental U.S.
Is a Southwest Airlines credit card worth it?
Yes, if you make Southwest your airlines of choice. It’s the fastest way to earn free flights on Southwest. If you prefer to pick the cheapest flight, regardless of the airline, the Southwest card is probably not for you.
