Southwest Premier Credit Card review: Reasonable value for a mid-level card

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card overview The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the middle of the pack for Southwest personal credit cards. While airline credit cards generally don’t have many perks, no foreign transaction fees and the 6,000-anniversary …

Feb 14, 2025 - 18:02

Southwest Premier Credit Card review: Reasonable value for a mid-level card

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card overview

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the middle of the pack for Southwest personal credit cards. While airline credit cards generally don’t have many perks, no foreign transaction fees and the 6,000-anniversary bonus points should help offset this card’s reasonable $99 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 strategy around a single cobranded airline credit card. That’s because these tend to offer fewer perks and less flexibility than a comparably-priced transferable points card.

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, for example, allows you to transfer Chase points to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 rate.

That said, Southwest credit cards are very popular among Southwest fans.

With a recommended credit score of 670 or higher, the Premier is the mid-tier version of the three personal Southwest cards. It offers a good balance of perks and an annual fee of $99 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

Pros	Cons
Bonus anniversary points Travel and purchase protections Two EarlyBird Check-ins per year	Has an annual fee

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card welcome offer

New Southwest Premier cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus points and a Southwest Companion Pass (valid through Feb. 28, 2026) after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Offer ends March 31.

Unlike some airlines whose companion ticket is only good for one use, the Southwest Companion Pass allows you to bring a travel partner for free on as many flights as you want — you just have to pay the taxes and fees for those flights.

According to TPG’s February 2025 valuations, the bonus points on this welcome offer offer are worth up to $405. And if you have someone who regularly travels with you, the Companion Pass can add significantly more value for you.

Remember that you can’t earn a welcome bonus on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card 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.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card benefits

While we typically don’t expect an airline credit card with a $99 annual fee to come loaded with perks, the Southwest Premier card has several benefits.

You’ll receive 6,000 bonus points on each account anniversary, which are worth $81 according to TPG’s February 2025 valuations. That covers more than 80% of this card’s annual fee.

Also, you’ll enjoy additional benefits like two EarlyBird check-ins per year with the Southwest Premier Card, getting you on the plane early to snag a better seat. Given these check-ins can cost up to $99 each, they’re a valuable card benefit.

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. There’s no limit on the number of TQPs you can earn.

Additionally, cardholders also earn a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year.

And they receive 25% back on inflight purchases.

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 on the Premier card.

Woman paying for coffee — GAHSOON/GETTY IMAGES

However, it also has other enticing bonus categories: You’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, local transit and commuting purchases, internet, cable and phone services and with select streaming providers.

You’ll earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

According to our February 2025 valuations, this amounts to a 4% return on spending with Southwest and a 2.7% return on spending in other bonus categories. All other purchases earn the equivalent of 1.4% back.

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 Wanna Get Away fares or the most expensive Business Select tickets, 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.

Southwest takeoff from Cancun — KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

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.

TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt is based in Austin, Texas, where the airline operates almost 40% of flights. Because of this, he likes to have a stash of Rapid Rewards points to fly to places like Cancun, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Southwest also regularly runs flash sales, which you can take advantage of to get a great deal 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.

Which cards compete with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card?

The Southwest Premier card has two obvious competitors: Chase’s other 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 has a higher annual fee but offers an annual Southwest travel credit and a larger anniversary bonus. 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 has a lower annual fee and a smaller anniversary bonus. You’ll still receive those two EarlyBird check-ins each year. 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® Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to Southwest — as well as 10 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 mostly offset the Southwest Premier card’s $99 annual fee. You’ll more than recoup the annual fee if you value its other perks, like EarlyBird Check-ins and inflight discounts, at more than $15. Still, most Southwest loyalists will get more value from the Southwest Priority credit card instead, as it offers more benefits.

Bottom line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card can be a good option for semi-frequent 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.