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Best Southwest Airlines credit cards of November 2024

Most of the cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you approve through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our  advertising policy and  product review methodology for more information.

Many travelers are fans of Southwest Airlines due to their affordable fares and the cobranded cards that allow cardholders to rack up miles for future travel. The airline has a unique value proposition, including no change fees and two free checked bags for all passengers. When you pair those perks with a strong route network — including international destinations and Hawaii — and an easy-to-use Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program, it’s easy to see why Southwest has created a loyal customer base.

Check out the lineup of the best credit cards from our partners for Southwest flyers, including the current bonus offers and our expert analysis to help you choose one that best fits your spending and flying habits.

At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. Our travel and credit cards experts share their own experiences and give honest analyses to help you make decisions that benefit you the most. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads, and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analysis are entirely our own.

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Best for small business owners

Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review
4XEarn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
3XEarn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
2XEarn 2X points on rideshare.
2XEarn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services.
1X1X points on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 80,000 points.
$199
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is ideal for business travelers and loyal Southwest flyers interested in hitting A-List status or earning a Companion Pass. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card.

Pros

  • 9,000 points on each cardmember anniversary
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (up to $120 starting Oct. 1, 2024)
  • 4 Upgraded Boardings a year

Cons

  • $199 annual fee means only those loyal to Southwest will truly benefit
  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
  • Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
  • Earn 2X points on rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
  • 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
  • Member FDIC

Best for businesses that need a lower annual fee

Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review
3XEarn 3X pts on Southwest® purchases.
2XEarn 2X pts on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
2XEarn 2X pts on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
1XEarn 1X pts on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 60,000 points.
$99
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Excellent Credit

The Southwest Premier Business card is ideal for Southwest loyalists who value airport and inflight perks and the ability to add employee cards at no additional cost. Read our full review of the Southwest Premier Business card here.

Pros

  • 6,000 bonus Southwest points every card anniversary
  • Primary rental car insurance
  • Lost luggage and trip protection benefits
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $99 annual fee isn't for everyone
  • Limited to redeeming for Southwest only
  • Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
  • Earn 3X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
  • Earn 2X points on rideshare.
  • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Member FDIC

Best for a lower annual-fee

Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review
2XEarn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
2XEarn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2XEarn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2XEarn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
1XEarn 1X points on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.
$69
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

The Southwest Plus credit card is a great starter card for those who are loyal to the carrier. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.

Pros

  • Earn 3,000 points each year after your cardmember anniversary
  • Secondary car rental insurance and collision damage waiver
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage
  • Roadside dispatch
  • Travel accident insurance via Visa Signature
  • Extended warranty and purchase protection

Cons

  • $69 annual fee
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Flight redemption limited to U.S., Caribbean and Central American destinations
  • Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Member FDIC

Best for frequent Southwest flyers

Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3.5 / 5
Go to review
3XEarn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
2XEarn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2XEarn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2XEarn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
1XEarn 1X points on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.
$149
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

While other airlines’ top credit cards have annual fees toppling over $500 per year, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card comes with just a $149 annual per year. If Southwest is your airline of choice, you’ll receive a number of perks every year: a $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 points on your cardmember anniversary. These benefits alone make up the annual fee for frequent Southwest flyers. For every $5,000 spent on this card, you’ll earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points, fast-tracking your way to A-List Status. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card.

Pros

  • $75 annual Southwest travel credit
  • 7,500 points on each cardmember anniversary
  • 25% inflight discount on food, drinks and WiFi
  • Ability to earn A-List status faster by spending on this card
  • Travel and purchase protections through Chase

Cons

  • $149 annual fee
  • Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
  • 7,500 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Member FDIC

Best for Best all-around travel card

Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4.5 / 5
Go to review
5x5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x2x on all other travel purchases.
1x1x on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
$95
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Pros

  • You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance

Cons

  • The card comes with a $95 annual fee
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • Member FDIC

Best for occasional Southwest flyers

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

*
*The information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3.5 / 5
Go to review
3XEarn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
2XEarn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2XEarn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2XEarn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
1XEarn 1X points on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.
$99
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

Pros

  • 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points every year
  • 6,000 anniversary points each cardmember anniversary
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $99 annual fee

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card* offers Southwest loyalists decent perks for a mid-level product. If you’re seeking a sub-$100 annual fee and bonus points to boost your Southwest status, the Rapid Rewards Premier card could be a good addition to your wallet.

Comparing the best Southwest credit cards

Credit card
Best forIntro offerEarning rateAnnual fee
3
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
small business owners
Earn 80,000 points.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
1 - 4X points
$199
3
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
businesses that need a lower annual fee
Earn 60,000 points.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
1 - 3X points
$99
3
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
a lower annual-fee
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.
Open Intro bonus
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
1 - 2X points
$69
3.5
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
frequent Southwest flyers
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.
Open Intro bonus
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
1 - 3X points
$149
4.5
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
Best all-around travel card
60,000 bonus points
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
1 - 5X points
$95
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
*
*The information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
3.5
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Information updated as of 11/12/2024
occasional Southwest flyers
$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.
Open Intro bonus
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
1 - 3X points
$99

More details on the best Southwest credit cards

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is the higher-tier option of the two Southwest business cards. It comes with 9,000 bonus anniversary points and a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years, in addition to a fast track to A-List status. It does feature a $199 annual fee, which is the highest of all the Southwest cobranded cards, but it’s well worth paying for frequent Southwest flyers who can maximize the card’s perks. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card.

Business owners who frequently fly Southwest will benefit the most from this card. It comes with up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits, making it perfect for those who need to work from the air. Additionally, the credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, unlimited bonus tier qualifying points on credit card spending and no foreign transaction fees will make flying go more smoothly for frequent business travelers.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card offers the most valuable perks of any Southwest card. It has upgraded boardings, a faster path to earn A-List status, inflight discounts and 9,000 bonus anniversary points. We value the 9,000 bonus anniversary points at $126, making your net annual fee just $73. Plus, if you use 10 of the Wi-Fi credits, you’ll more than justify the annual fee with these two perks alone.

If you can’t justify this card’s $199 annual fee, you can go with the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card, which has a lower $99 annual fee. It comes with 6,000 bonus anniversary points and two complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins each year, as well as 25% back on inflight purchases and a fast track to earning A-List status.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card is the lower-tier option of the two Southwest business cards. It comes with 6,000 bonus anniversary points, inflight discounts and a fast track to A-List status for a $99 annual fee. Learn more by checking out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business card.

The reasonable annual fee and Southwest-specific perks make this card a solid choice for business owners who regularly fly Southwest.

This is a good option if you want to earn Southwest points but don’t fly Southwest often enough to benefit from the added perks on a higher-tier Southwest card.

Business owners who frequently fly Southwest may prefer the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card since they’ll get more than enough value from the card to justify paying its higher annual fee.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card earns bonus rewards on Southwest purchases as well as local transit, internet, cable, phone and select streaming services. It also comes with some travel protections and sports a relatively low $69 annual fee, making it an easy choice for many regular Southwest flyers. For more information, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card.

If you fly Southwest regularly and want to keep your annual fee costs low, this card is a great option. It’s also good for Southwest loyalists who aren’t already earning bonus rewards on their internet, cable and phone services.

This card is an easy way to rack up Rapid Rewards points when paying for bills that don’t often earn bonus rewards. You’ll also get two free EarlyBird Check-Ins and earn an additional 3,000 points each year. These points are worth $39 according to our valuations, making your effective annual fee just $30.

If you want to be able to redeem your points with Southwest or any of Chase’s 13 additional hotel and airline programs, you’ll want to opt for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It has a slightly higher $95 annual fee but earns bonus rewards on travel and dining and gives you a wider range of redemption options.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most premium offering in the Southwest personal card lineup. It comes with valuable perks like a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 7,500 bonus points on each account anniversary and a fast track to A-List status for a reasonable $149 annual fee. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card.

Southwest devotees will get the most value from the card since cardholders enjoy a 25% inflight discount on food, drinks and Wi-Fi, as well as the ability to earn A-List status more quickly through credit card spending.

Like the other cards in the Southwest personal card family, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card earns bonus points on Southwest purchases as well as local transit, internet, cable, phone and select streaming services. However, if you fly Southwest frequently — and can take advantage of the $75 annual Southwest credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points — you’ll more than make up for your annual fee each year.

If you want Southwest perks for a lower annual fee, go with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. It has the same earning structure, inflight discount and faster path to A-List status as the Priority card for just a $99 annual fee.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 high-value airline and hotel partners. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

This card is an excellent fit for anyone new to the world of points and miles, who wants to keep their annual fee costs low or who regularly uses Chase’s travel partners.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it's hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you're new to points and miles or an expert.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor

If you want higher earning rates, airport lounge access and annual travel credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might be a better fit for you.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

This card helps you earn a Companion Pass thanks to the 10,000 qualifying points you receive as a cardholder each year. Cardholders also qualify for twice-yearly Early Bird check-ins.

*The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

This card is ideal for Southwest loyalists who will be able to maximize the perks of this card.

If you want a quicker way to earn Southwest status or build up a stash of Southwest points, the Rapid Rewards Premier* card can help you achieve both.

If you’re seeking a travel card but want more flexibility when redeeming your rewards, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card, which features a comparable $95 annual fee and earns valuable and transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

How we rate

We rated the best Southwest credit cards based on factors such as reward earning rates, the perks and benefits you get with each card and whether or not each card offers bonus categories for earning points or miles. To learn more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.
Welcome bonusOur picks include Southwest cards that offer solid welcome bonuses redeemable for future flights.
Annual feeThe best Southwest cards range from no annual fee and go up from there, ensuring there’s a good fit for every budget.
Earning ratesThese Southwest credit cards offer generous earning rates in various categories.
Redemption optionsSouthwest credit cards offer inflight discounts and redemptions for future flights thanks to Rapid Rewards points that don’t expire.
Added benefitsCardholders enjoy perks that include early check-ins, Companion Passes, free checked bags and more.

Ask our experts

What's your favorite Southwest credit card — and why?