The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideal for people who like to travel. Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, you’ll earn 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and 2X points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases. The Southwest Rapid Rewards priority credit card offers you a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 25% off in-flight refreshments and Wi-Fi and up to four free upgraded boardings each year. You’ll also get one point for every $1 you spend on other purchases.
MoneyGeek’s Take
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Review
Updated: June 27, 2024
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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Rewards Rate
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X po...APR
21.49% - 28.49% variableAnnual Fee
$149Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a gem for travelers, particularly those frequently flying Southwest. Right out of the gate, it rewards you with an impressive welcome bonus, and the perks don't stop there. Every year, you'll be gifted anniversary points and a travel credit with Southwest. If you're abroad, you can use this card without any worries about foreign transaction fees. While it does come with an annual fee, the card's generous rewards, especially on Southwest purchases, can easily offset that. Whether you're catching a flight or just commuting, this card ensures you're always earning.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Overview
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has a robust rewards program that gives cardholders the opportunity to maximize their rewards.
Quick Take
- Annual fee of $149
- Spend-based welcome bonus
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases
- Earn 2X points on local transit, commuting and rideshare
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services and selected streaming
- Earn 1X point on all other purchases
- Receive 7,500 anniversary points, 4 upgraded boardings per year when available, and a $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year
- 25% savings on in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection and extended warranty
- Baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement
Important Card Details
Before applying for any credit card, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions to ensure it’s the right card for you.
Annual Fees
This card’s annual fee is on the high side, which costs $149 per year. Regardless of how expensive it is, the card does have some perks that make it worthwhile if you fly Southwest more than once per year.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Purchases made outside the United States, including online purchases, are not subject to a foreign transaction fee.
High Regular APR
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card's ongoing APR stands between 21.49% – 28.49% variable, which is higher than other credit cards that are not rewards-based and have only introductory APRs.
Additional Benefits
There are other features of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card that may make it a worthwhile addition to your wallet.
How the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Compares To Other Cards
Despite its annual fee, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card’s benefits and features outweigh the cost for frequent Southwest users. This is why people who travel often consider the annual fee worthwhile compared to other cards in the same category. However, if you’re not a frequent Southwest customer, other cards could be a better fit for your needs.
How the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Compares
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $149
- Purchase APR: 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- International Transaction Fee: $0
- Mini Verdict: Best for people who travel on Southwest often and want many perks and bonuses.
United Explorer Card
- Annual Fee: $0 Intro for First Year, then $95
- Purchase APR: 21.99% – 28.99% Variable
- Welcome Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- International Transaction Fee: $0
- Mini Verdict: Ideal for people who are looking to save on credit cards and don't travel frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average credit score needed to get approved for a Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card?
With a minimum credit score of 670, you have the best approval odds for Southwest credit cards.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes, it does.
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?
You can get pre-approved for all the Chase cards through Chase's pre-qualification application. The pre-approval process is a good way to find out which Chase cards fit your needs.
What information is needed to apply for a Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card?
You'll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, mother's maiden name, contact details and Social Security number.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card have good customer service or satisfaction?
Yes, they rank high in customer satisfaction and their call center is available 24/7.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?
Yes, you can use the Chase mobile app to monitor your expenses, track your credit score and make payments.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?
There are four ways to increase your credit limit. You can apply for a new card, request a credit limit increase, receive an automatic credit limit increase or respond to a targeted credit limit increase offer.
Does the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?
Yes, you can deactivate your card in the event of theft or misplacement and reactivate it when you are sure that your card is safe.
Does Chase offer other credit cards besides the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card?
Yes, Chase offers many different credit cards for personal and business use in addition to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Southwest. "Rapid Rewards Consumer Credit Cards." Accessed December 14, 2021.
- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. "Credit card agreement database." Accessed December 14, 2021.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.