Dreaming of free flights but not sure the Southwest card is right for you, or whether your credit is ready for it? The Southwest Airlines credit card is one of the most popular airline rewards cards in the country, and Chase issues it in three consumer versions. This review covers exactly what each version earns, what it costs, and who it fits, with the fee and APR details verified against Chase's current disclosures.
| Issuer | JPMorgan Chase (Chase) |
| Network | Visa (open-loop, usable anywhere Visa is accepted) |
| Annual fee | $99 Plus / $149 Premier / $229 Priority |
| Purchase APR | 19.24% to 27.74% variable (as of June 2026) |
| Penalty APR | Up to 29.99% variable |
| Cash advance APR | 24.99% variable ($10 or 5% fee, whichever is greater) |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Late fee | Up to $40 |
| Rewards | 2X-4X on Southwest, anniversary points (3,000-7,500), free first checked bag |
| Welcome bonus | Changes frequently; confirm the live offer at Chase |
| Typical credit limit | Reported $2,000+, often much higher with strong credit |
| Credit score | Typically 700+ (good to excellent) |
| Reports to | Experian, TransUnion, Equifax |
What Is the Southwest Airlines Credit Card?
The Southwest Airlines credit card is a family of co-branded travel cards issued by JPMorgan Chase. Cardholders earn Rapid Rewards points on Southwest flights and everyday spending, redeemable for future Southwest travel. The three consumer versions are the Rapid Rewards Plus, the Premier, and the Priority. All three are Visa cards, so you can use them anywhere Visa is accepted, not only with the airline. Chase reports your account to all three major credit bureaus.
Because they are co-branded airline cards, they reward loyalty to one carrier. Chase typically looks for good-to-excellent credit, so approval can be tough if your credit history is thin or recovering.
Southwest Card Rewards, by Version
The earning structure scales with the annual fee. Rapid Rewards points are worth roughly 1.3 to 1.5 cents each toward Southwest flights, and they do not expire as long as your account stays open:
- Plus: 2X points on Southwest purchases, 2X on local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming, plus 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Premier: 3X on Southwest, 2X on the same everyday categories as the Plus, plus 6,000 anniversary points and no foreign transaction fee.
- Priority: 4X on Southwest, 2X on the everyday categories, plus 7,500 anniversary points, a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, and no foreign transaction fee.
All three include a first checked bag free for you and up to eight others on the same reservation. Welcome bonus offers change frequently, so confirm the live promo on Chase's or Southwest's site before applying. Terms and conditions apply.
Southwest Card Fees and APR
As of June 2026, the annual fees are $99 for the Plus, $149 for the Premier, and $229 for the Priority. There is no fee-free version of the personal Southwest card.
On interest, as of June 2026 Chase discloses a variable purchase APR of 19.24% to 27.74%, set with the Prime Rate, so confirm your exact rate when you apply. The cash advance APR is 24.99% variable, and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable can apply if you fall behind. The Premier and Priority charge no foreign transaction fee; cash advances cost $10 or 5%, whichever is greater; late payments can run up to $40. APRs vary by creditworthiness.
A carried balance at these rates can quietly cancel the value of your points, so these cards reward people who pay in full each month.
Approval and Credit Limit
Chase generally approves good-to-excellent credit, typically a reported score of 700 or higher. Applying triggers a hard inquiry, and Chase's 5/24 rule can decline you if you have opened five or more cards across all issuers in the past 24 months. Approved cardholders report starting credit limits of $2,000 or more, with much higher limits common for strong profiles and high income. These are community-reported figures, so your offer will depend on your full credit profile.
Who Should Get It, and Who Should Skip It
The Southwest Airlines credit card makes the most sense for frequent Southwest flyers with solid credit who pay in full. The annual fee can pay for itself through anniversary points and free checked bags if you fly the airline often. The Priority's $75 travel credit and 7,500 anniversary points alone offset much of its fee for regular flyers, though travelers who also want airport lounge access will need to look at a premium travel card, since none of the Southwest tiers include a credit card with airport lounge access.
If you are new to credit, rebuilding after a setback, or expect to carry a balance, the math turns against you. A purchase APR that can climb into the high 20s on a rewards card erases the points fast, and Chase's approval bar is high. In that case, an unsecured starter card is the smarter first step. The goal is to lift your score into the range airline cards want to see, then revisit Southwest.
One strong option to start that history without a deposit is the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. For applicants who want to build toward airline-card approval, the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is an unsecured card with no security deposit, prequalification up to a $1,000 limit, up to 3% cash back, and reports to all three bureaus.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
If you would rather build credit against money you have already earned, Perpay is powered by your paycheck — no security deposit, shop and pay over time while it reports to all three bureaus, members see an average 32-point increase. It is a simple way to add positive payment history before you apply for a rewards card.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
How These Compare
The Southwest Airlines credit card is a rewards card first and a credit tool second. The starter cards above flip that order, focusing on reporting on-time payments to all three credit bureaus so your score can climb, often with no annual fee and easier approval odds. Build six to twelve months of on-time history, watch your score rise, and an airline card like Southwest becomes far more attainable. You can compare a secured credit card against an unsecured card to decide which fits your situation, learn how to build credit fast, and track your score for free with Creditship.ai.
Is the Southwest Airlines Credit Card Worth It?
For a loyal Southwest flyer with strong credit who pays in full, the card delivers real value through points, anniversary bonuses, free checked bags, and (on the Priority) a yearly travel credit. For everyone else, the annual fee and a purchase APR that can reach the high 20s make it a tough fit until your credit is ready. If you are still building, start with a low-cost starter card, grow your score, and revisit the Southwest card when approval is within reach.
If your credit is already in good shape and you want premium rewards without committing to one airline, the Robinhood Gold Card is a premium-rewards alternative for good-credit applicants, offering up to 3% cash back for Robinhood Gold members.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for the Southwest Airlines credit card?
Chase generally approves applicants with good-to-excellent credit, typically a reported score of 700 or higher, and the application is a hard pull. Chase's 5/24 rule can also decline you if you have opened five or more cards in the past 24 months. If your score is lower, an unsecured starter card can help you reach that range first.
Does the Southwest Airlines credit card have an annual fee?
Yes. As of June 2026, the annual fees are $99 for the Plus, $149 for the Premier, and $229 for the Priority. There is no fee-free version of the personal Southwest card.
What is the APR on the Southwest credit card?
As of June 2026, Chase discloses a variable purchase APR of 19.24% to 27.74%, set with the Prime Rate, with a 24.99% cash advance APR and a penalty APR up to 29.99%. Confirm your exact rate at application. APRs vary by creditworthiness.
What credit limit can I expect on the Southwest card?
Approved cardholders report starting limits of $2,000 or more, with much higher limits common for strong credit and income. These are community-reported figures; your offer depends on your full profile. The card reports to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
