Southwest Premier Credit Card review: Reasonable value for a mid-level card
Editor's Note
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.
When it comes to the Southwest Rapid Rewards card portfolio, you'll generally find better earning rates and more flexible redemption options with cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), for example, allows you to transfer Chase points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 rate, plus Chase's 12 other partners.
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.
Note that Southwest is in the middle of sweeping changes, including its boarding process, bag fees and seat selection process.
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
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Related: How to choose your best credit card strategy
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card welcome offer
New Southwest Premier cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This welcome offer is worth $675 based on TPG's December 2025 valuations.
Remember that you can't earn a welcome bonus on the Southwest Premier if you currently have a personal Southwest card or have earned a welcome bonus on a personal Southwest card in the past 24 months.
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.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
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.
Day of travel benefits include:
- Two EarlyBird Check-Ins, which can cost up to $99 each, per year (for flights operating in 2025; ends Dec. 31)
- 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
- A 25% discount on inflight purchases
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.
Related: Southwest Rapid Rewards is now offering Cash + Points redemption
Earning points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Most airline credit cards award bonus points or miles for purchases directly with the carrier, and that's certainly true here. You'll earn:
- 3 points per dollar spent with Southwest (4.2% return)
- 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
- 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting, including ride-hailing services (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
- 2 points per dollar spent on internet, cable and phone services and with select streaming providers (2.8% return; ends Dec. 31)
- 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per year (2.8% return)
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases (1.4% return)
(All rate of return estimates are based on TPG's valuations.)
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.
Related: How to earn over 300,000 points this year
Redeeming points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
When it's time to use your rewards, one of the best things about redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards points is the simplicity of the process.
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.
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.
Related: How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (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 Chase Sapphire Preferred 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.
For more options, check out our full list of the best travel credit cards.
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 Southwest Priority 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 Southwest Priority card instead.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees