Cheaper Southwest cards already offer a free checked bag and Group 5 boarding, so the $229 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) needs to justify its premium.
Its strongest selling point is seating: Cardholders can select preferred seats at booking and upgrade to extra-legroom seats at no extra charge within 48 hours of departure (when available).
The appeal is less about earning Rapid Rewards points and more about a comfortable Southwest experience. Frequent flyers who maximize its perks can justify the fee, but those who fly Southwest only a couple of times a year will likely get better value from a cheaper card. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Southwest Priority Credit Card: The basics
The Southwest Priority charges a $229 annual fee in exchange for a number of Southwest benefits, including:
- Access to preferred seats at booking and upgrades to extra-legroom seats within 48 hours of departure (for you and eight companions; when available)
- A first checked bag free (for you and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation)
- 7,500 bonus points each account anniversary, worth $94 according to TPG’s October 2026 valuations
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost in 2026
- 2,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent in 2026; beginning in 2027, cardholders will earn 1 TQP per dollar spent
- Group 5 priority boarding
Status-related benefits will change in 2027 as part of Southwest’s broader Rapid Rewards overhaul.
In addition to these benefits, Southwest Priority cardholders can earn bonus points on Southwest purchases, as well as those made at restaurants and gas stations.
Southwest Priority Credit Card pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| <ul> <li>Anniversary bonus points each year</li> <li>Complimentary access to extra-legroom seats (when available)</li> <li>Free first checked bag (for you and eight companions)</li> <li>Priority boarding</li> <li>Spending counts toward elite status</li> </ul> |
<ul> <li>Has an annual fee</li> <li>Limited redemption opportunities</li> <li>Bonus category earnings could be stronger</li> </ul> |
Southwest Priority Credit Card benefits
In an age when many credit cards center their value proposition around statement credits for partner merchants, it’s nice to see the Southwest Priority keep its perks dialed in on its own airline. You won’t need to break out a spreadsheet to ensure you’re getting optimal value from your card, but you will need to fly often enough on Southwest to justify the card’s $229 price tag.
Since most checked bags cost $45 ($30 when flying interisland in Hawaii), it’s possible to save a lot with this card’s free first checked bag perk. Even if you travel solo, checking a bag five times on mainland U.S. flights practically covers the annual fee.
It’s hard to place a dollar value on priority boarding and a Companion Pass qualifying points boost. If you’re generally a solo traveler, the opportunity to get a Companion Pass likely won’t be something you see much worth in, but it could be useful if you’re close to earning a Companion Pass (before qualifying points are retired at the end of 2026).
Overall, the Southwest Priority offers a very solid set of benefits for the annual fee it charges, provided you fly with Southwest several times each year. Airlines design their top-shelf credit cards with loyalists in mind, and the Priority delivers here.
How to earn and use your rewards
Earning on the Southwest Priority credit card
The Southwest Priority earns Rapid Rewards points at the following rates:
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Dec. 31, 2027)
- 4 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
- 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
Unfortunately, the earning rates on this card aren’t particularly inspiring. Because of this, the card might make more sense as one you hold for the benefits when traveling with Southwest rather than as a card for your everyday spending.
However, starting in 2027, the card will also earn 1 TQP for every $1 spent. This is great news for Southwest flyers working toward elite status and may tip the earning equation back in the card’s favor for someone who cares about airline status.
If you don’t strictly fly with Southwest, your spending may be better off on a Chase Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). It offers a different selection of bonus categories, as well as a lower annual fee, and points can be transferred to a variety of airlines, including Southwest.
Redeeming Rapid Rewards points
Rapid Rewards points can currently be redeemed for Southwest flights anywhere the airline flies. Southwest doesn’t publish an award chart for its flights, so to check pricing for your intended trip, you’ll simply search for prices in points when booking on the website or mobile app. TPG’s valuations recommend using your points when you’ll receive at least 1.25 cents in value.
Southwest Airlines has announced that starting in spring 2027, Rapid Rewards members will also be able to redeem points for international flights on partners like China Airlines, Etihad Airways and Icelandair. (Pricing has not yet been announced, though.)
Where the Southwest Priority Credit Card falls short
If you’re not someone who flies with Southwest at least several times each year, you’ll struggle to get value out of the Southwest Priority. Its $229 annual fee can be offset with perks like free checked bags, preferred seating and the ability to earn TQPs, but this is only the case if you’re committed to flying often with Southwest.
Unlike some premium travel cards, it doesn’t offer flexible credits or benefits that remain useful when another carrier has the better fare or schedule.
Southwest Priority vs. Southwest Premier
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card charges a more approachable $149 annual fee. Cardholders of both cards receive the same checked bag benefit (first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation) as well as Group 5 boarding and the ability to spend toward elite status at a rate of 1 TQP per $1 spent (starting in 2027).
However, the Premier’s seating benefits are less generous. It offers access to preferred seats within 48 hours of departure (when available), while Priority cardholders can select them at booking. Premier cardholders also receive 6,000 anniversary points, compared with 7,500 points on the Priority.
On the earning side, the Premier swaps gas stations for grocery stores in its bonus categories, but caps its grocery and restaurant bonuses at $8,000 in spending per anniversary year. It earns 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest flights, only 1 point less per dollar compared to the Priority. While that’s not a huge ding against the Priority, a more meaningful step up would make it a stronger case.
All in all, the Priority costs $80 more annually, but its additional 1,500 anniversary points are only worth $19 (based on TPG’s valuations). That leaves roughly $61 to justify through earlier preferred seat selection, extra-legroom upgrades and its different bonus categories. Travelers who fly often — especially those who would otherwise pay for better seating — will want to take a closer look at the Southwest Priority despite its extra cost.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
To learn more, check out our comparison of the personal Southwest cards.
Is the Southwest Priority Credit Card worth it?
For Southwest devotees, the Southwest Priority card can be a big boost to their wallet. With a variety of perks to help frequent flyers justify its annual fee, the Priority goes a long way toward making your day-of-travel experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
That said, only Southwest’s biggest fans will get maximum value out of this card. If you’re an infrequent traveler or you fly on a variety of airlines, consider one of Southwest’s cheaper cards instead.
When to apply for the Southwest Priority Credit Card
Right now, new Southwest Priority cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s valuations, those 90,000 bonus points are worth $1,125.
This is a better-than-usual offer for this card, but it also makes for an excellent time to apply for another reason. This is the last year that card welcome offers will count toward the points needed to earn a Companion Pass on Southwest.
Customers approved for the card by Dec. 2 can still have the bonus count, even if they complete the spending requirement in 2027. Later applicants will find earning the pass much more challenging.
Just remember that Chase’s 5/24 rule applies to all Southwest cards. Additionally, applicants cannot currently hold another personal Southwest card or have received a personal Southwest card bonus within the previous 24 months.
Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Southwest Priority
If the Southwest Priority isn’t worth a spot in your wallet, here are a few other cards to consider instead:
- If you want a Southwest card with a low annual fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) charges $99 each year but still offers great perks like your first checked bag free (for you and up to eight companions) and priority boarding. To learn more, check out our full review of the Southwest Plus.
- If you want a card that earns transferable rewards: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to Southwest. It earns points on dining at a higher rate than the Southwest Priority, at 3 points per dollar spent. To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
- If you want a card that offers premium perks: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) offers a slew of high-end benefits, including lounge access, statement credits for an array of merchants and expansive travel protections. It also earns Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to Southwest. To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
For additional options, check out our picks for the best airline and travel rewards cards.
Bottom line
Southwest credit cards can be a big bonus for your wallet if you fly Southwest Airlines, though several cards offer the same core benefits, like your first checked bag free and Group 5 boarding. That means loyalty to Southwest won’t lead you to this card specifically.
The Southwest Priority card stands out because its benefits can noticeably improve your travel experience, from choosing a better seat earlier to stretching out when space is available.
Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Source: thepointsguy.com
