How my Southwest Priority card pays for itself in just 4 flights a year
Editor's Note
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.
I have to come clean before we get into this: Flying Southwest Airlines isn't exactly my favorite travel experience. From setting a check-in alarm to avoid that dreaded C group to the awkward open seating interactions, it's not exactly my cup of tea (though Southwest will move to a new assigned seating model in 2026).
That said, sometimes the fares or nonstop routes from my home in Pittsburgh are too good to pass up. And for me, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) makes those trips infinitely more enjoyable.
The Southwest Priority card was named the Best Airline Cobranded Credit Card at the 2024 TPG Awards for its valuable perks for Southwest flyers. These include four upgraded boardings per year, an annual Southwest travel credit, anniversary bonus points and an annual points boost toward qualifying for the airline's coveted Companion Pass.
Related: Here are current Southwest card offers
Four upgraded boardings
You know those coveted A1 to A15 boarding positions? Sure, you could pay for a pricier Business Select fare, but the Southwest Priority card will reimburse you for up to four upgraded boardings per year when available, which bump you up into those prime positions when paying the more affordable Anytime and Wanna Get Away fares (through Dec. 31, 2025).
Four upgrades are perfect for someone like me who only flies Southwest a few times a year. Southwest says pricing starts at $30 each, but in my experience, I've almost always seen them at the $40 mark — meaning this benefit alone adds up to $160 in value per year for me.
These upgrades are also easier than ever to redeem. Back in the day, you could only redeem them at the airport, but now, you can buy upgraded boarding on the Southwest app or website right after you check in at the 24-hour mark. Yes, you'll still want to set that alarm because upgraded boarding isn't always available, and with the easier redemption, they tend to go a bit faster than before.
Related: How to snag the best seats on Southwest Airlines
Annual travel credit and anniversary points
You'll also get an annual $75 Southwest travel credit each year through Dec. 31, 2025 as well as 7,500 bonus Southwest Rapid Rewards points on your card anniversary. Based on TPG's December 2024 valuations, those anniversary points are worth $105.
So, when you add up the $75 credit, the 7,500 bonus points, and the four upgraded boardings, you end up with roughly $340 in value each year — more than offsetting the cards annual fee.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card also has a few incentives if you're chasing Southwest A-List status or a Companion Pass. You'll earn 2,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 you spend on the card without a limit to the amount of TQPs you can earn with card spending. The card also gives you an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points.
Related: How to earn and use the Southwest Companion Pass
Bonus categories
The Southwest Priority card has a few spending categories where you'll earn bonus Rapid Rewards points:
- 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
- 2 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
While these might help if you're shooting for A-List status, I generally rely on other cards I have to maximize earnings in these categories. I also like to book hotels and rental cars directly to avoid cancellation or change issues.
Related: Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
Save money inflight and through Chase
Two other smaller perks serve as the icing on the cake.
First, you'll get 25% back on inflight purchases. I've seen this statement credit post on Southwest inflight Wi-Fi purchases, lowering the effective cost from $8 to $6.
Additionally, I've frequently found solid Chase Offers targeted to my Southwest Priority card, including cash-back offers on Southwest purchases. The offer I'm currently targeted for gives 5% cash back on Southwest purchases of $50 or more (up to $20), and a previous offer provided up to 10% cash back. I've also cashed in on Chase Offers for restaurants like First Watch, plus Instacart and gas purchases.
Related: The ultimate guide to Southwest credit card eligibility
Bottom line
You may think airline-cobranded cards only make sense if you're super loyal to that airline. However, with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, you don't have to be. Even flying Southwest only a few times a year can more than cover the annual fee. By having the card, I'm able to make those trips a little more enjoyable along the way.
To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card.
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.