5 Best Credit Cards for Southwest Points

Maximizing Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards points depends on selecting the right credit cards for your spending habits, travel frequency, and strategy for earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. Chase issues a powerful suite of co-branded consumer and business credit cards that earn valuable Southwest points, feature lucrative sign-up bonuses, and offer anniversary point multipliers that transform casual travelers into frequent flyers.

Choosing the right financial product for your wallet requires balancing annual fees, welcome offers, everyday spending multipliers, and elite status-qualifying benefits. Southwest Rapid Rewards points operate differently from traditional bank transfer currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards. Because Southwest points have a dynamic redemption value tied directly to the cash price of a ticket, acquiring them in bulk through credit card bonuses and everyday expenditures yields extraordinary value, particularly for domestic travel, Hawaii getaways, and Caribbean destinations.

Understanding Southwest Rapid Rewards Ecosystem

Before evaluating specific credit cards, travelers must understand how the Southwest Rapid Rewards program operates. Unlike legacy network carriers that utilize distance-based or region-based award charts, Southwest prices its award flights based on the cash cost of the ticket. This means that if a cash fare drops, the point price drops proportionally. Generally, Southwest points yield a baseline value hovering between 1.2 and 1.5 cents per point, though flash sales and Wanna Get Away fares can occasionally stretch that value even higher.

The ultimate goal for many Southwest loyalists is earning the Southwest Companion Pass. This perk allows a designated companion to fly with the cardholder for just the cost of taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 for domestic one-way flights) every time the cardholder purchases a ticket with cash or redeems points. Earning the Companion Pass traditionally requires accumulating 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year or completing 100 qualifying one-way flights. Crucially, sign-up bonuses from both personal and business Southwest credit cards count directly toward the Companion Pass qualification threshold, making credit card acquisition strategies the single fastest path to unlocking this benefit.

The 5 Best Credit Cards for Southwest Points

Chase and Southwest offer a diversified lineup of five core credit cards tailored to different traveler profiles. Analyzing each card's earning structure, annual fee, and specialized perks helps pinpoint the ideal match for your financial objectives.

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

• Best For: Frequent Southwest flyers who want maximum ongoing value and annual travel credits.
• Annual Fee: $149
• Key Perks:
  • $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
  • 7,500 anniversary bonus points each year.
  • Four Upgraded Boardings per year (when available).
  • 25% back on inflight purchases and Wi-Fi.

The Southwest Priority card stands as the premier personal card in the portfolio. While it carries the highest annual fee among the consumer options, the math easily justifies the cost for anyone who flies Southwest at least two or three times a year. The $75 annual travel credit automatically reimburses Southwest purchases, effectively reducing the net annual fee to $74. Furthermore, the 7,500 anniversary bonus points are typically worth around $90 to $100 based on standard redemptions, single-handedly offsetting the remaining fee. Adding the four upgraded boardings (which can cost up to $50 to $80 each) and inflight Wi-Fi discounts transforms this card into a net-positive financial instrument for dedicated Southwest passengers.

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Best For: Budget-conscious travelers looking for a low annual fee and a steady stream of anniversary points.
• Annual Fee: $69
• Key Perks:
  • 3,000 anniversary bonus points each year.
  • 2x points on local transit and commuting, rideshares, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.
  • Tier-qualifying points boost toward status.

For flyers who want to keep overhead costs low while maintaining a steady accumulation of Rapid Rewards points, the Southwest Plus card offers an accessible entry point. The $69 annual fee is heavily mitigated by the 3,000 anniversary bonus points deposited upon account renewal. The card also features useful everyday multipliers, making it a viable option for households looking to pick up extra points on recurring monthly bills like internet and streaming subscriptions without committing to a premium travel card.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

• Best For: Moderate travelers seeking a mid-tier balance of annual fee, anniversary points, and travel perks.
• Annual Fee: $99
• Key Perks:
  • 6,000 anniversary bonus points each year.
  • 3x points on Southwest purchases.
  • Tier-qualifying points toward status.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Positioned right between the Plus and Priority cards, the Southwest Premier card bridges the gap for consumers who want more anniversary points than the Plus offers, but do not need the heavy-hitting travel credits of the Priority card. The 6,000 anniversary bonus points nearly cover the $99 annual fee on their own. Additionally, the inclusion of no foreign transaction fees makes it a reliable companion for international trips to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean serviced by Southwest.

4. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

• Best For: Small business owners and freelancers seeking high point-earning potential and advanced travel amenities.
• Annual Fee: $199
• Key Perks:
  • 9,000 anniversary bonus points each year.
  • 4x points on Southwest purchases.
  • Up to 365 days of inflight Wi-Fi credits per year (reimbursed as statement credits).
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
  • 4 upgraded boardings per year.

The Southwest Performance Business card is a powerhouse designed for business owners with significant operational expenses. Although it carries a $199 annual fee, the combination of 9,000 anniversary points, annual TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits, and up to 365 individual inflight Wi-Fi purchase credits delivers immense value for road warriors. Earning 4x points on Southwest purchases accelerates point balances rapidly, and business card spending bonuses count fully toward the Companion Pass.

5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

• Best For: Small business owners wanting a straightforward business card with a moderate annual fee.
• Annual Fee: $99
• Key Perks:
  • 6,000 anniversary bonus points each year.
  • 3x points on Southwest purchases.
  • Employee cards at no additional cost.
  • Tier-qualifying points toward A-List status.

The Southwest Premier Business card provides a streamlined option for smaller enterprises or sole proprietors who want to keep business expenses separate from personal finances while earning travel rewards. With a $99 annual fee offset by 6,000 anniversary points and the ability to issue employee cards at no extra charge to pool points into a central account, it serves as an efficient vehicle for accumulating Southwest points quickly.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Southwest Credit Cards

Rules and Restrictions to Keep in Mind

Before submitting an application for any of these Chase-issued products, applicants must navigate specific issuing bank rules that govern credit card approvals and bonus eligibility.

The Chase 5/24 Rule

Chase enforces a strict policy known informally as the 5/24 rule. If you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards from any bank in the past 24 months, your application for almost any Chase credit card—including all Southwest co-branded personal and business cards—will be automatically denied. Business cards from most other banks typically do not add to your 5/24 count, but Chase business cards will add to your personal velocity count if you are under 5/24 and get approved.

Southwest Product Restrictions

Chase also restricts sign-up bonuses based on card family history. According to terms and conditions:

• You cannot hold more than one personal Southwest credit card at a time. If you currently hold the Southwest Plus card and want the Priority card, you must product change or close your existing card and wait for eligibility windows to clear.
• You are generally ineligible for a sign-up bonus on a personal Southwest card if you have received a bonus on any personal Southwest card within the last 24 months. (Note: Business cards operate under separate product eligibility rules, allowing savvy travelers to hold a personal card and a business card simultaneously).

Maximizing the Southwest Companion Pass Strategy

The ultimate objective for many applicants targeting Southwest points is the Companion Pass. Because Southwest allows sign-up bonuses to count toward the 135,000-point requirement, pairing a personal card with a business card can instantly trigger the pass.

For example, if a cardholder opens the Southwest Priority Credit Card and the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card during a promotional period featuring elevated welcome offers, the combined sign-up bonuses can eclipse the 135,000-point threshold in a single stroke. Once earned, the Companion Pass remains valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it was earned plus the entire following calendar year. Timing your credit card applications so that bonuses post early in the calendar year maximizes the lifespan of this powerful perk, netting nearly two full years of buy-one, get-one-free travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Southwest credit card sign-up bonuses count toward the Companion Pass?

Yes. All points earned from Southwest credit card welcome offers, introductory bonuses, and everyday spending automatically count toward the annual 135,000-point requirement needed to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. Points transferred from hotel partners or car rental agencies do not count toward this total.

Can I hold multiple Southwest credit cards at the same time?

You cannot hold multiple personal Southwest credit cards simultaneously. However, you can hold one personal Southwest card and one (or more) business Southwest cards at the same time, allowing you to combine earnings and maximize anniversary bonuses.

What happens to my points if I cancel my Southwest credit card?

Your Rapid Rewards points belong to your frequent flyer account, not the credit card itself. If you close your Southwest credit card, any points already deposited into your Rapid Rewards account remain safe and will not expire, as Southwest eliminated point expiration policies for its loyalty program.

Are business credit cards hard to qualify for?

Qualifying for a business credit card does not require a massive corporation. Sole proprietorships, freelance work, side hustles, consulting, selling goods online, or providing independent contract services can qualify you for a small business credit card using your Social Security Number as a sole proprietor.

Which Southwest card offers the best value for casual flyers?

For occasional flyers who want straightforward benefits without a high upfront cost, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ($99 annual fee) strikes an ideal balance. Its 6,000 anniversary bonus points nearly offset the yearly cost while delivering solid earning rates on everyday purchases.

Conclusion and Next Actions

Selecting the best credit card for Southwest points hinges on evaluating your annual travel frequency, whether you qualify for a small business card, and your timeline for earning the Companion Pass. If you fly frequently, the Southwest Priority Credit Card offers unmatched personal perks and easy value recovery through travel credits. For business owners, the Southwest Performance Business Credit Card provides elite-level amenities that simplify corporate travel. Review your current credit card portfolio against the Chase 5/24 rule, map out your upcoming travel expenses, and choose the card that best aligns with your destination goals.