5 Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards

Jodie Price

By Jodie Price | Updated October 3, 2025

When it comes to earning rewards for Southwest flights, the right credit card can make travel more affordable and convenient. This guide outlines the five best Southwest Airlines credit cards, helping you compare their features to earn Rapid Rewards points quickly and enhance your travel budget with valuable perks.

  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

    The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is designed for business owners who fly Southwest often. It provides travel perks that help make frequent trips more comfortable and rewarding. This card also gives business travelers a way to earn points on purchases beyond flights.

    Earning Structure:

    • 4x points on Southwest® purchases
    • 2x points on gas station and restaurant purchases
    • 2x points on hotel accommodations booked directly with hotel
    • 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of account opening.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $299
    • APR: 19.99%–28.49% variable
    • Other benefits: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit every 4 years, inflight Wi-Fi credits, anniversary points bonus
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Business credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Anniversary points each year
    • Credits for inflight Wi-Fi purchases
    • Reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Helps earn progress toward A-List status

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards, and other travel-related purchases.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, typically with a FICO score of 670 or higher.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The high annual fee may not be worth it for businesses that fly Southwest only a few times per year.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It has simple earning categories and travel perks, making it a practical option for new business owners.

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

    The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal option in the Southwest lineup. It is designed for travelers who fly Southwest often and want extra perks beyond earning points.

    This card offers travel credits, anniversary points, and upgraded boarding opportunities. It also helps cardholders move closer to elite status and the Companion Pass.

    Earning Structure:

    • 4x points on Southwest purchases
    • 2x points at gas stations and restaurants
    • 1x point on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first five months of membership.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $229
    • APR: 19.99%–28.49% variable
    • Other benefits: Annual $75 Southwest travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points, four upgraded boardings per year (through Dec. 31, 2025)
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Travel rewards credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Anniversary bonus points
    • Annual Southwest travel credit
    • Four upgraded boardings per year
    • Helps earn Companion Pass faster
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit to qualify, with a FICO score of at least 670.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The higher annual fee may not be worth it for travelers who fly Southwest only a few times per year.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It provides simple rewards and travel credits that are easy to use, making it beginner-friendly for those loyal to Southwest.

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

    The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is the entry-level option in the Southwest lineup. It gives travelers a way to earn Rapid Rewards points while accessing standard airline perks. This card focuses on simplicity, making it a good fit for those who want to earn points without committing to higher annual fees.

    Earning Structure:

    • 2x points on Southwest Airlines® purchases
    • 2x points at gas stations and grocery stores on first $5,000 in combined purchases per year
    • 1x points on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $99
    • APR: 19.99%–28.49% variable
    • Other benefits: 3,000 anniversary points each year
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Travel rewards credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction
    • Additional perks: Two free checked bags on Southwest flights

    Key Benefits:

    • Earn anniversary bonus points
    • Access to Southwest travel perks
    • Ability to earn toward Companion Pass
    • Simple earning structure
    • Accepted widely as a Visa card

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards, and select experiences.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit, often starting around a 670 credit score.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card charges foreign transaction fees and does not include premium travel protections.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It offers a low entry point into travel rewards, making it a practical choice for those new to airline credit cards.

  • Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

    The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is designed for small business owners who often fly with Southwest. It helps cardholders earn points on business purchases while also providing travel-related perks.

    This card is a mid-tier option in the Southwest business lineup. It balances rewards earning with useful benefits that can support both business and travel needs.

    Earning Structure:

    • 3x points on Southwest purchases
    • 2x points at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per year
    • 1x point on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card membership.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $149
    • APR: 19.99%–28.49% variable
    • Other benefits: Employee cards at no extra cost
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Business credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None
    • Additional perks: Anniversary points bonus each year

    Key Benefits:

    • Earn points toward Southwest flights
    • Anniversary bonus points
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Employee cards at no added cost
    • Access to Southwest travel perks

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for Southwest flights, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, and select experiences.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit (FICO score of 670 or higher) to qualify.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card lacks premium travel credits and has fewer perks than the higher-tier business option.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It offers a simple earning structure and useful rewards, making it easy for new business owners to manage.

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel rewards card that earns flexible points. It is often chosen to maximize value from everyday spending. This card provides access to Chase Ultimate Rewards, which can be redeemed in multiple ways. It also allows points to transfer to airline and hotel partners, including Southwest Airlines.

    Earning Structure:

    • 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
    • 3x on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
    • 2x on all other travel purchases
    • 1x on all other purchases

    Welcome Bonus:

    New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 within the first three months of membership.

    Card Details:

    • Annual fee: $95
    • APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable
    • Other benefits: Travel protections, purchase coverage, trip cancellation insurance
    • Network: Visa
    • Type: Travel rewards credit card
    • Foreign transaction fees: None

    Key Benefits:

    • Flexible point transfers to airline and hotel partners
    • Strong rewards on travel and dining
    • Built-in travel insurance protections
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Redemption Options:

    Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, transferred to partners like Southwest, or used for cash back, gift cards, and other rewards.

    Credit Requirements:

    Applicants generally need good to excellent credit, often a score of 670 or higher.

    Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

    The card charges an annual fee and does not provide airline-specific perks like free checked bags.

    Why it Works for Beginners:

    It is a simple entry point into travel rewards, offering flexible redemptions and strong earning categories without being overly complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between the various Southwest Airlines credit cards?

The main differences come from annual anniversary points, travel credits, and boarding upgrades. For example, the Priority card includes a $75 travel credit and four upgraded boardings per year, while the Plus card focuses on lower costs with fewer perks. Each card also earns points at different rates on Southwest purchases and everyday spending.

What should you consider when choosing a Southwest credit card?

Look at the sign-up bonus first and pick a card with a spending requirement you can meet to earn the bonus. Compare annual fees, which range from $99 to $299, and review bonus categories like Southwest purchases, hotel or car rentals, and everyday expenses such as transit, internet, and phone services to match your spending habits.

How does the Companion Pass feature work with Southwest credit cards?

The Companion Pass allows a traveler to bring one companion for free, except for taxes and fees. Points earned from welcome bonuses and card spending count toward the required threshold. Once earned, the pass is valid for the rest of the year and the entire following year.

How can you upgrade a Southwest credit card?

You can request a product change by calling the number on the back of your Southwest credit card. Approval will depend on your credit profile and account history. It’s best to wait at least a year before making the change, because upgrading too soon can cause you to miss out on earning a welcome bonus from a new application.

Can you compare the point earning rates on different Southwest credit cards?

All Southwest cards earn extra points on Southwest purchases, but the exact rates differ. Some also provide bonus points on categories like dining and transit. Everyday purchases outside of bonus categories usually earn 1x points.