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
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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