Southwest Airline’s seating policy isn’t the only thing that’s changing; the airline and Chase announced updates to the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards — adding enhanced benefits like pre-flight seat selection and early boarding, new earning categories and a welcome bonus any loyal Southwest flyer would love.
For a limited time, now through Sep. 17, new Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier or Plus consumer credit cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first five months from account opening. This is double the previous welcome bonus of 50,000 points, and it marks Southwest’s best points offer this year.
Along with the additional perks come other costs: card annual fees are increasing and Southwest will be expiring a few current benefits and reward categories. Here’s a breakdown by card:
Southwest credit card changes
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an affordable card that makes sense for the occasional Southwest traveler.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 3,000 bonus points every card member anniversary
- Not especially rewarding for common expenses such as groceries or dining
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year
- Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- Select a Standard seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus annual fee is rising from $69 to $99, a $30 hike.
New benefits
- Free first checked bag: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost
- New reward category: 2X points on the first $5,000 in combined spend at gas stations and grocery stores each anniversary year
- Seat selection: Standard seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, for the cardmember and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (for flights operating in 2026)
- Early boarding: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation can board early, in Group 5
- Annual flight discount: One promotional code for a 10% flight discount each anniversary year (except Basic fare)
- Fees: No foreign transaction fees
Lost benefits (expiring Dec. 31, 2025)
- 2X points on Southwest Cruises
- 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- EarlyBird check-in
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is Southwest’s mid-tier card and is valuable if you regularly travel to or from destinations Southwest serves.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 6,000 bonus points every card member anniversary
- No foreign transaction fee
- Limited value when you’re not traveling with Southwest
- No annual statement credits to offset the annual fee
Rewards
- 3X points on Southwest® purchases,
- *2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- *2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- *2X points on internet, cable, and phone services and select streaming
- 1X points on all other purchases
*Benefits expire December 31, 2025
Balance transfer fee
Annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier annual fee is increasing from $99 to $149, a $50 rise.
New benefits
- Free first checked bag: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost
- New reward category: 2X points on the first $8,000 in combined spend at grocery stores and restaurants each anniversary year
- Seat selection: Standard or Preferred seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, for the cardmember and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (for flights operating in 2026)
- Early boarding: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation can board early, in Group 5
- Annual flight discount: One promotional code for a 15% flight discount each anniversary year (except Basic fare)
Lost benefits (expiring Dec. 31, 2025)
- 3X points on Southwest Cruises
- 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- EarlyBird check-in
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a perfect fit for serious Southwest fans who can easily maximize its benefits like upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 7,500 bonus points every card member anniversary
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- Limited value when you’re not traveling with Southwest
- High annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.*
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority annual fee is being hiked from $149 to $229, an $80 increase.
New benefits
- Free first checked bag: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost
- Updated reward category: 4X points on Southwest Airlines eligible purchases, previously 3X points
- New reward category: 2X points at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
- Seat selection: Standard or Preferred seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, for the cardmember and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (for flights operating in 2026)
- Free upgrades: Unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours before departure, when available and at no additional charge, for the cardmember and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation
- Early boarding: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation can board early, in Group 5
- Head start toward A-List status: Earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually (previously 1,500 TQPs)
Lost benefits (expiring Dec. 31, 2025)
- 4X points on Southwest Cruises
- 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- Upgraded Boardings when available for 2025 flights
- $75 Southwest annual travel credit
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Business
Annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Business is currently unavailable for new users, but carries a $99 annual fee.
New benefits
- Free first checked bag: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost
- New reward category: 2X points on first $5,000 in combined spend at gas stations and restaurants each anniversary year
- Seat selection: Standard seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, for the cardmember and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (for flights operating in 2026)
- Early boarding: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation can board early, in Group 5
- Annual flight discount: One promotional code for a 10% flight discount each anniversary year (except Basic fare)
- Fees: No foreign transaction fees
Lost benefits (expiring Dec. 31, 2025)
- 2X points on Southwest Cruises
- 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- EarlyBird check-in
- $500 fee credit for points transfers each year
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card can help your business save on Southwest travel but offers less value for other travel.
- Valuable welcome bonus helps you qualify for a Companion Pass
- 6,000 bonus points every card member anniversary
- Up to $500 in credits for point transfer fees every year (Benefit expires December 31, 2025)
- Limited value when you’re not traveling with Southwest
- No bonus spending categories for common business purchases like office supplies, shipping or advertising
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per year
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure, when available.*
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business annual fee is increasing from $99 to $149, a $50 rise.
New benefits
- Free first checked bag: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost.
- New reward category: 2X points on first $8,000 in combined spend at gas stations and restaurants each anniversary year
- Seat selection: Standard or Preferred seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, for the cardmember and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (for flights operating in 2026)
- Early boarding: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation can board early, in Group 5
- Headstart toward A-List status: Earn 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually (previously 1,500 TQPs).
- Annual flight discount: One promotional code for a 15% flight discount each anniversary year (except Basic fare)
Lost benefits (expiring Dec. 31, 2025)
- 3X points on Southwest Cruises
- 2X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
- EarlyBird check-in
- $500 fee credit for points transfers each year
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is Southwest’s most premium business credit card and can be incredibly rewarding for frequent flyers, especially those chasing the Southwest Companion Pass or other Southwest elite status.
- Welcome bonus counts toward earning a Southwest Companion Pass
- Up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi credits every year
- Four Upgraded Boardings per year (when available)
- Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck® credit every four years
- High annual fee
- Limited value when you’re not traveling with Southwest
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- Earn 2X points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.*
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual fee
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business annual fee is being bumped up from $199 to $299, a $100 increase.
New benefits
- Free first checked bag: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers in the same reservation can check their first bag at no additional cost
- New reward category: 2X points on spend at gas stations and restaurants, with no annual cap
- New reward category: 2X points on all hotel accommodations booked directly
- Seat selection: Standard or Preferred seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available, for the cardmember and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation (for flights operating in 2026)
- Free upgrades: Unlimited upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours before departure, when available and at no additional charge, for the cardmember and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation
- Early boarding: Cardmembers and up to eight additional passengers traveling on the same reservation can board early, in Group 5
- In-flight purchases: Earn 25% back on in-flight purchases
- Head start toward A-List status: Earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent annually (previously 1,500 TQPs)
Lost benefits (expiring Dec. 31, 2025)
- 4X points on Southwest Cruises
- 3X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2X points on social media, search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services
- Upgraded Boardings for 2025 flights
- $500 fee credit for points transfers each year
- Up to 365 inflight internet credits per year
Pros and cons
Pros
If you fly on Southwest with some frequency, chances are you’ll be able to get some extra value out of these cards. Not only will you have opportunities when you book with Southwest, but with the addition of new rewards categories, you have more opportunities to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards, which can be redeemed for valuable rewards like flights and hotel stays.
- Some cards have manageable fee increases: Annual fees are increasing by $50 or less for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier and Premier Business cards, so a single round-trip making use of the free first checked bag (a $35 value each way) would more than cover the increase.
- Limited-time welcome bonus: The 100,000 welcome bonus is another great reason to consider the card now. With Southwest now using dynamic pricing, your exact redemption value might vary, but 100,000 Rapid Rewards points can get you a long way, especially if you’re booking at off-peak times.
- Free first checked bag: With the perks that relate to checked bags and seat selection, you only need to have one member of your party with a qualifying credit card, as it will apply to the cardholder and up to eight other guests on the same reservation. Only one person in your group (up to nine) needs a qualifying credit card to get perks like checked bags and seat selection. If you’re going on a family trip or a getaway with friends, a group of four can save $280 round trip.
Cons
The Southwest cards are losing some benefits in categories like transit, internet and phone services, plus increasing annual fees. While a Southwest credit card may still make sense if you frequently travel with Southwest, it might be harder to earn rewards points if you don’t often spend in the new rewards categories.
- Fewer business-focused rewards: While the Southwest business cards also received some new rewards categories, they focus primarily on travel not business expenses. The cards added new reward categories for spending on hotels, transit, gas and restaurants, so they might not be the best fit if you’re looking for benefits that directly relate to your business.
- Losing statement credits: The Rapid Rewards Priority card is losing the $75 annual Southwest travel credit, and the business cards are losing the $500 fee credit for points transfers each year.
- Missing possible earnings: If you primarily use your Southwest credit card for purchases with the airline, you’ll still be getting new perks, but might miss out on the additional rewards earned in everyday spending categories.
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