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 American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.