Southwest Credit Card for Beginners: Your First Steps with Rapid Rewards

What Is a Southwest Credit Card?

A Southwest credit card is a co-branded travel card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with Southwest Airlines. When you make purchases with the card, you earn Rapid Rewards points that you can use toward flights, and the card comes with airline perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

This guide is for anyone just starting out with Southwest rewards. We'll cover the basics of Rapid Rewards, the three personal cards, and how to make the most of your spending—without the jargon.

How Rapid Rewards Points Work

Rapid Rewards is Southwest's loyalty program. As a cardholder, you earn points on eligible purchases, and those points are posted to your Rapid Rewards account. According to Chase, points earned on purchases typically appear in your Rapid Rewards account up to 30 days after your statement cycle date.

Southwest points do not expire as long as your account is open, and there are no blackout dates on award flights. However, the number of points needed for a flight can vary based on destination, time of day, demand, and other factors—so points are flexible but not fixed in value.

It's also useful to know that rewards programs can change. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued warnings that credit card rewards may come with hidden conditions or allow devaluation of earned rewards, so it's smart to review the current program terms.

• Points post to your Rapid Rewards account, typically within 30 days after your statement closes.
• Points do not expire as long as your account is open.
• No blackout dates, but the points required for a flight can vary.
• Be aware that programs can change—check current rules.

Sources: Chase, NerdWallet, Southwest Airlines, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Southwest Personal Cards: Plus, Premier, and Priority

Southwest offers three personal credit cards: the Rapid Rewards Plus, Premier, and Priority. All three earn points on purchases and include the same core airline benefit: a free first checked bag for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation. They also give you boarding in Group 5, and each card has an annual fee.

The cards differ in their annual fee, earning rates, and extra perks. The table below compares the main features as shown on the official Southwest page.

Sources: Southwest Airlines, The Points Guy

How to Choose Your First Southwest Card

Picking the right card depends on how often you fly Southwest and how much you value the extra perks. All three cards require an annual fee, so you want to choose one where the benefits are worth that cost to you.

If you're a light traveler, the Plus card might be enough—you still get free checked bags and board in Group 5. If you fly a few times a year, the Premier's higher earning rate and bigger anniversary bonus could make the $149 fee worthwhile. The Priority card is designed for frequent Southwest travelers who can use the $75 travel credit, four upgraded boardings, and a higher points rate.

• All three cards include a free checked bag and Group 5 boarding.
• Plus offers a lower fee and 2x points on Southwest purchases.
• Premier offers a higher fee, 3x points, and a 15% flight discount promo code.
• Priority offers the highest fee, 4x points, plus a $75 travel credit and four upgraded boardings.
• Consider how often you fly and whether you'll use the extra perks.

Sources: Southwest Airlines, NerdWallet

How to Meet the Minimum Spend Requirement

Most welcome bonuses require you to spend a certain amount within the first three months of account opening. Before you apply, think about whether you can naturally meet that threshold without overspending.

A simple way to plan is to time your application with a big upcoming expense, like a car repair, tuition payment, or holiday shopping. But never spend more than you normally would just to earn a bonus—the points are not worth going into debt for.

• Welcome bonuses are typically earned after meeting a minimum spend within the first three months.
• Look for natural spending opportunities, not new purchases.
• Always pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Sources: Southwest Airlines, Chase, The Points Guy

How to Earn Points with Your Card Everyday Spending

Once you have your card, you earn points on every purchase. All three personal cards earn at least 1 point per dollar on most purchases, and you'll earn higher rates on Southwest purchases. You also earn a bonus each year on your card anniversary—points you can think of as a small reward just for keeping the card open.

Remember, points are posted to your Rapid Rewards account after your statement cycle date, so don't be alarmed if you don't see them immediately.

• Earn at least 1 point per dollar on all purchases.
• Higher earning rates on Southwest purchases: 2x on Plus, 3x on Premier, 4x on Priority.
• Annual anniversary points: 3,000 on Plus, 6,000 on Premier, 7,500 on Priority.
• Points appear in your Rapid Rewards account up to 30 days after your statement closes.

Sources: Southwest Airlines, Chase

How to Redeem Points for Flights: A Simple Walkthrough

Redeeming your points for flights is straightforward because Southwest has no blackout dates. That means you can use points on any seat that's available for purchase, as long as you have enough points.

The number of points you need for a flight depends on the route, travel dates, and demand. To redeem, you'll log in to your Rapid Rewards account, search for flights, and choose the option to pay with points. Your point balance will be deducted, and you may need to pay taxes and fees with your card.

• No blackout dates—any available seat can be booked with points.
• Award pricing varies based on destination, time, day of travel, and demand.
• Redeem through your Rapid Rewards account when booking online.

Sources: Southwest Airlines, NerdWallet

Fees to Track

The main fee to track is the annual fee, which is charged each year your card is open. Since points can post up to 30 days after your statement closes, it's a good idea to check that your points arrive within that time. If you carry a balance, you'll also need to watch your payment due date to avoid late fees and interest charges.

CFPB research highlights that unclear or hidden conditions in rewards programs can lead to lost rewards, so staying on top of your card's terms can help you avoid surprises.

• Annual fees: $99 (Plus), $149 (Premier), $229 (Priority).
• Points post up to 30 days after your statement cycle date.
• Set payment reminders to maintain your good standing and avoid interest on purchases.

Sources: Southwest Airlines, Chase

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Starting with a new rewards card can be exciting, but a few common pitfalls can cost you. One is carrying a balance from month to month; interest charges will quickly eat into the value of your points. Another is ignoring the terms and conditions, which the CFPB warns can include hidden conditions or allow devaluation of earned rewards.

There are also some eligibility rules to be aware of. For example, Chase's 5/24 rule means you may be rejected for a Southwest card if you've opened five or more credit card accounts from any issuer in the past 24 months. Also, you cannot open another Southwest personal card until you cancel your current one, and you may be ineligible for a welcome bonus if you've earned one in the past 24 months. These rules are widely reported, but always check the latest issuer policies, as they can change.

• Avoid carrying a balance—interest charges reduce the value of rewards.
• Review your card's terms to understand any conditions on earning or redeeming points.
• Be aware of the 5/24 rule: opening five or more cards in 24 months may hurt your approval odds.
• You can only hold one Southwest personal card at a time.
• If you've earned a welcome bonus in the last 24 months, you may not be eligible for another.

Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), The Points Guy