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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Southwest Premier Credit Card review: Reasonable value for a mid-level card
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
October 30, 2025 • 10 min read
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved 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. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A mid-tier airline card offers day-of-travel benefits and an annual anniversary points bonus that can help offset its modest annual fee.
Recent updates have enhanced travel perks, adjusted earning categories and introduced new features for cardholders.
The card provides value for semifrequent travelers with perks like EarlyBird Check-In, free checked bags and inflight discounts.
While it offers decent earning rates at select merchants, other cards may provide greater flexibility and broader earning potential.
What to consider
Eligibility for the welcome offer is restricted if you currently hold or recently received a bonus from a similar airline card within the past 24 months.
Many bonus earning categories will be removed at the end of the year, and there is a spending cap on certain categories.
The card lacks a gas bonus category, which may be a drawback for some consumers.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing airline and general travel cards, including which traveler profiles benefit most from each option.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card overview
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is in the middle of the pack for personal credit cards from Southwest Airlines. While mid-tier airline credit cards generally don’t have many premium perks, the Southwest Premier's day-of-travel benefits and 6,000 anniversary bonus points should help offset its $149 annual fee. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Savvy TPG readers know we generally don’t recommend building your points and miles strategy around a single cobranded airline credit card. That's because these tend to offer fewer perks and less flexibility than comparably priced transferable points and miles cards.
That said, Southwest credit cards are very popular among Southwest fans, and all of them were recently refreshed. The Southwest Premier card's refresh added many benefits that enhanced the day-of-travel experience, modified the bonus category earning structure and introduced a new annual fee of $149.
With a recommended credit score of 670 or higher, the Premier is the mid-tier option of the three personal Southwest cards. It offers a good balance of perks and an annual fee that could make it worthy of a spot in your card collection.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Southwest Premier card to help you decide whether it should be in your wallet.
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.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Bonus anniversary points
Travel and purchase protections
High annual fee
Spending cap on select categories
No gas category, unlike other Southwest consumer cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card welcome offer
New Southwest Premier cardholders can earn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The 55,000 points in this welcome offer are worth $715 based on TPG's February 2026 valuations.
THE POINTS GUY
Also, Southwest’s cobranded cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more new accounts over the past 24 months (across all issuers, not just Chase), your application will likely be denied.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card benefits
While we typically don’t expect an airline credit card with a $149 annual fee to come loaded with premium perks, the Southwest Premier card has several benefits, including many important day-of-travel benefits.
It's important to note that current cardholders will receive all existing benefits until Dec. 31 and have access to the new benefits immediately.
You’ll receive 6,000 bonus points on each account anniversary, which are worth $84 according to TPG’s valuations. That covers more than half of this card’s annual fee.
Free first checked bag for cardholders and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation
Group 5 priority boarding for cardholders and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (if you have A-list status, you will be able to board with an earlier group)
Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure for you and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation
Cardholders can also earn Southwest A-List elite status more quickly. You’ll earn 1,500 bonus tier qualifying points for every $5,000 you spend in a calendar year, with no cap. Additionally, cardholders also receive a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year.
Finally, you'll receive one promotional 15% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares) and won't be charged foreign transaction fees.
(All rate of return estimates are based on TPG's valuations.)
GAHSOON/GETTY IMAGES
Many of the double-point bonus categories will be removed at the end of the year. It's nice that the grocery store and restaurant bonus category has been added, but it seems quite limited with the low spending cap.
If you need to earn Southwest points, this card offers decent earning rates, but you can certainly do better on everyday spending with other cards.
It's also worth noting that this is the only consumer Southwest card without a gas bonus category. Since Chase lacks a portfolio of cards that earn bonus points on gas, this is an unfortunate aspect of the Southwest Premier.
Whether you select the cheapest Basic fare or the most expensive Business Select option, the cost of your award ticket is tied to the cash price of the flight. This means you don’t have to worry about getting the highest possible cent-per-point redemption value.
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If you have Rapid Rewards points, you can also redeem them for gift cards or merchandise. Still, the best value comes from using your points for Southwest flights — including options to Hawaii, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Emily Thompson, a newsletter and partnerships editor at TPG, loves using Southwest points, as the airline offers great deals and runs frequent award sales on transcontinental flights from smaller airports like Pensacola International Airport (PNS) in Florida to Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon.
Southwest also regularly offers flash sales that you can take advantage of to get a great deal when booking with points. Additionally, Southwest’s policy of no change or cancellation fees means you can save money on your award ticket if the price drops. This flexibility ensures you can get the cheapest redemption.
Which cards compete with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card?
The Southwest Premier card has two obvious competitors: Chase’s other consumer Southwest credit cards. However, it’s worth considering a general travel credit card with a similar annual fee to see whether that option is better for your wallet.
If you want a Southwest card with more perks: The (see rates and fees) has a higher $229 annual fee but offers an annual Southwest travel credit (through Dec. 31), a larger anniversary points bonus and unlimited upgrades to extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure. To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Priority card.
If you want a Southwest card with a lower annual fee: The (see rates and fees) has a lower $99 annual fee and a smaller anniversary bonus. You’ll still receive those two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year (ends Dec. 31). To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Plus card.
If you want transferable points to use with Southwest and other airlines: The earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can transfer to Southwest — as well as nine other airlines — to make flight redemptions. You’ll get valuable travel protections and an annual hotel credit, all for a slightly lower annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card worth it?
The anniversary bonus points help offset some of the Southwest Premier card’s $149 annual fee. You'll more than recoup the annual fee if you value its other perks, like EarlyBird Check-Ins (ends Dec. 31), free checked bags, seat selection and inflight discounts. Still, most Southwest loyalists will get more value from the card instead, as it offers more benefits.
Bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card can be a good option for semifrequent Southwest flyers. If you fly with Southwest occasionally, this card’s price point and perks could make it a good fit for your wallet without the higher price tag on other travel credit cards.
However, most Southwest fans will likely prefer the benefits of the higher-tier card instead.
