7 Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards of November 2026
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.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best for casual Southwest flyers on a budget
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Best for frequent Southwest flyers
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Best all-around travel card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for frequent travelers
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: Best for small business owners
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: Best for businesses that need a lower annual fee
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: Best for business travel rewards
Comparing the best Southwest credit cards
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X | Earn 2X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points at Gas stations and Grocery stores on first $5,000 in combined purchases per year. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
With core travel perks like free checked bags, Group 5 boarding and a modest annual fee, the Rapid Rewards Plus Card is a budget-friendly entry point into Southwest’s rewards program. It offers solid value for occasional travelers who want to earn points and start building toward Companion Pass status. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.
Pros
- Earn 3,000 points each year after your cardmember anniversary
- Standard seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $3,000 in reimbursement for lost luggage
- Travel accident insurance via Visa Signature
- Extended warranty and purchase protection
Cons
- $99 annual fee
- Flight redemption limited to U.S., Caribbean and Central American destinations
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points at gas stations and restaurants. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
While other airlines’ top credit cards have annual fees toppling over $500 per year, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card comes with just a $229 annual per year. If Southwest is your airline of choice, you’ll receive a number of perks every year, like 7,500 points on your cardmember anniversary. Additionally, for every $5,000 spent on this card, you’ll earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points, fast-tracking your way to A-List Status. Read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card.
Pros
- Complimentary first checked bag for the cardmember and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation
- 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
- $229 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5x | Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x on dining, vacation homes at top brands, gas & EV charging, top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs). |
| 2x | Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | Earn 1x on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains one of the easiest travel rewards cards to recommend because it has elevated rewards across everyday spending categories, valuable travel protections, useful statement credits and an approachable annual fee. Whether you're new to points and miles or already maximizing transfer partners, it offers a rare combination of flexibility and long-term value for both beginners and experienced travelers alike.
Pros
- Earn elevated rewards in popular categories, including travel, dining, gas, EV charging and vacation home stays at top brands
- Premium travel protection benefits include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
- Versatile airline and hotel transfer partners
- Features up to $100 in annual hotel credits through Chase Travel℠
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- No airport lounge access
- Transfers to Hyatt at a lower rate than other Sapphire cards
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
- Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Member FDIC
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 8x | Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠. |
| 4x | Earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on dining worldwide. |
| 1x | Earn 1x points on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains one of the most rewarding travel credit cards thanks to its elevated earning rates on both Chase Travel℠ and direct hotel and airline purchases. Cardholders also gain access to more than $3,000 in potential annual value through premium perks like lounge access, hotel status, lifestyle credits and flexible travel credits.
With its strong earning structure and access to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, it’s a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and long-term value.
Pros
- Automatic $300 annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- Earn 8 points per dollar spent on Chase Travel purchases and 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct
- Over $3,000 in total annual cardmember value, including credits for StubHub, Apple Music, Apple TV+ and DoorDash
- $300 annual dining credit (split up as two semiannual $150 credits) for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables restaurants
- Access to Chase’s 14 hotel and airline travel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027)
Cons
- Steep $795 annual fee, plus a $195 fee per authorized user
- Some credits are split biannually, requiring careful tracking to maximize value
- Some credits require enrollment or specific platforms, which may make it more difficult to maximize value
- May not be a good fit for those who don’t spend heavily on travel or select lifestyle categories
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $324 annually.
- Member FDIC
Best for small business owners
at Chase's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X points on Southwest® purchases. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points on gas station and restaurant purchases. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points on hotel accommodations booked directly with hotel. |
| 2X | Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
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
Cons
- $299 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 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- Earn 2X points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- Member FDIC
Comparing the best Southwest credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at Chase's secure site | casual Southwest flyers on a budget | Earn 50,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 2X points Open Rewards rates
| $99 | ||||||||||
at Chase's secure site | frequent Southwest flyers | Earn 60,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 4X points Open Rewards rates
| $229 | ||||||||||
at Chase's secure site | Best all-around travel card | 75,000 bonus points. Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||||
at Chase's secure site | frequent travelers | 100,000 bonus points. Open Intro bonus Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 8X points Open Rewards rates
| $795 | ||||||||||
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 Open Rewards rates
| $299 |
How we rate
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Southwest credit card — and why?
How to choose the best Southwest credit card
- Southwest credit cards offer varying sign-up bonuses across their consumer and business cards. Choose the card that best aligns with your needs and features an attainable spending minimum in order to earn the sign-up bonus.1Sign-up bonus
- Southwest offers personal and business credit cards that range from a $99 annual fee up to $299 annual fee. This makes a Southwest card ideal for budgets at every price point.2Annual fee
- With a Southwest credit card, you can earn Rapid Rewards points on Southwest purchases and money spent via hotel and car rental partners in addition to other popular categories like transit, internet, cable and phone service expenses.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of Southwest Airlines credit cards
Pros
- Southwest credit cards can earn Rapid Rewards points (or flexible travel rewards) on every dollar you spend
- Many Southwest credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection
- Some Southwest credit cards offer shortcuts to earning elite status — or even the carrier’s venerated Companion Pass
Cons
- You may not travel with Southwest Airlines enough to make a Southwest credit card worthwhile
Is Southwest the best US airline in 2024?
TPG’s annual report on the best airlines in the U.S. says no, as Southwest took the fifth spot for the second straight year (it was second in 2022). The carrier crushed the competition in the ancillary fees category, as Southwest imposes no change and cancellation fees, and it also allows all customers to check two bags for free. Southwest also was near the top in award availability thanks to its policy of no blackout dates. However, the carrier’s no-frills approach (which may be changing in the near future) really hurt it across the travel experience categories, which dropped Southwest to the middle of the pack.
Here’s where Southwest stacked up against other airlines.
Frequently asked questions
To earn a Companion Pass, you must take 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year or earn 135,000 points in a calendar year. If you have a Southwest credit card, you get an automatic 10,000 points toward this requirement. Then, the points you earn through card spending count toward your Companion Pass, including welcome bonus points. This means the easiest way to earn a Companion Pass is by getting a Southwest credit card early in the calendar year and using that bonus toward your Companion Pass qualification.
For frequent Southwest flyers and anyone who can benefit significantly from earning a Companion Pass, a Southwest credit card is almost certainly a worthwhile card to carry.
However, if you want to maximize your earning potential and aren’t trying to earn a Companion Pass, you’ll be better off getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and transferring your points to your Rapid Rewards account, since it earns bonus points on dining and broader travel purchases than cobranded Southwest cards do.
Which Southwest credit card is best will depend on your annual fee budget and which Southwest perks you value. For the most perks, you’ll want to opt for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, since it comes with the most valuable benefits. However, if you just want to dip your toes into the world of Rapid Rewards and keep your annual fees low, you’ll want to go with the lowest-tier Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.
You can request a Southwest product change by calling the number on the back of your credit card. However, we don’t recommend any product change within the first year of having a card since you’ll forfeit earning a card’s welcome bonus if you opt for a product change instead of applying for a new card.
You can access a Southwest credit card application page by clicking one of our application links or going to Chase’s website. Then, simply fill out the prompts on the application and click “Submit” when you’re done. You should know quickly whether your application is approved.
For any Southwest credit card, it’s recommended that you have good to excellent credit, or a score of at least 670, to increase your chances of approval.
To close a Southwest credit card, simply call the number on the back of your card and request to close it. However, we recommend waiting until you’ve had the card for at least a year before closing it.