Is the southwest credit card worth it?

In the competitive world of airline loyalty, few programs inspire the kind of cult-like devotion seen with Southwest Airlines. Known for its transparent pricing, “bags fly free” policy, and friendly customer service, Southwest has carved out a unique space in the hearts of North American travelers. A key component of this loyalty ecosystem is its suite of co-branded credit cards, issued by Chase. These cards promise to accelerate your journey to free flights and unlock the single most valuable perk in domestic travel: the Southwest Companion Pass®.

But with multiple cards to choose from, each with its own annual fee and set of benefits, a crucial question arises: Is a Southwest credit card actually worth it for you? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends heavily on your travel habits, your home airport, and your ability to leverage the unique perks of the Rapid Rewards program.

This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about the Southwest credit card portfolio in 2025. We’ll analyze each card, demystify the legendary Companion Pass, calculate the value of Rapid Rewards points, and help you determine if adding one of these cards to your wallet is a strategic move that will save you thousands on travel.

Understanding the Core Value: What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

Before we can evaluate the cards themselves, we must first talk about the ultimate prize: the Southwest Companion Pass. This is, without a doubt, the single biggest reason to get a Southwest credit card.

The Companion Pass is a buy-one-get-one-free ticket for the skies. Once you earn it, you can designate one person to fly with you for nearly free (you only have to pay the taxes and fees, which are typically just $5.60 each way for domestic flights) every single time you fly on Southwest. It doesn’t matter if you paid for your ticket with cash or with points—your companion flies with you.

You can use the pass an unlimited number of times during the period it’s valid. The best part? The pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it AND the entire following calendar year. This means if you strategically earn the pass in January 2025, you could have a companion fly with you for nearly two full years. For couples, families, or anyone who consistently travels with another person, this perk can be worth thousands of dollars, making it the most lucrative benefit in the airline industry.

To earn the Companion Pass, you need to either:

1. Fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year.
2. Earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.

While flying 100 times is a tall order for most, earning 135,000 points is achievable, primarily through the massive welcome bonuses offered by the Southwest credit cards. Points earned from the welcome bonus, as well as everyday spending on the cards, count towards this total.

The Personal Card Lineup: Which Southwest Card is Right for You?

Chase offers three personal Southwest credit cards, each catering to a different type of traveler. Let’s break down their benefits, starting with the most premium option.

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: The Top-Tier Choice

• Annual Fee: $149
• Best For: Frequent Southwest flyers who want to maximize their benefits and easily offset the annual fee.

The Priority card, despite having the highest annual fee, is often the best value for anyone who flies Southwest more than once a year.

Key Benefits:

• $75 Annual Southwest Travel Credit: Each year, you receive a $75 statement credit that can be used on any Southwest flight purchase, including tickets and taxes. This effectively reduces your annual fee to just $74.
• 7,500 Anniversary Bonus Points: You receive 7,500 bonus points every year on your cardmember anniversary. Southwest points are generally valued at around 1.3 to 1.5 cents each, making these points worth over $100.
• Four Upgraded Boardings Per Year: Receive reimbursement for four “Upgraded Boarding” purchases (A1-A15 positions) each year, when available. This is a valuable perk for those who dislike the open seating policy.
• 25% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Get a statement credit for 25% of your purchases on drinks and Wi-Fi.

For a frequent flyer, the $75 travel credit and the value of the 7,500 anniversary points ($100+) completely wipe out the $149 annual fee, making all the other benefits, like the upgraded boardings, pure profit.

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: The Middle Ground

• Annual Fee: $99
• Best For: Occasional Southwest flyers who want a solid points bonus without the higher fee of the Priority card.

Key Benefits:

• 6,000 Anniversary Bonus Points: You receive 6,000 bonus points each year, worth approximately $80-$90. This helps to significantly offset the annual fee.
• Two EarlyBird Check-In® Per Year: Get reimbursement for two EarlyBird Check-In purchases annually, which automatically checks you in for your flight ahead of the general 24-hour mark.

The Premier card is a decent mid-tier option, but for just $50 more, the Priority card offers a much better value proposition with its $75 travel credit and extra anniversary points.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The Entry-Level Card

• Annual Fee: $69
• Best For: Budget-conscious travelers who want the lowest possible entry fee to start earning Rapid Rewards.

Key Benefits:

• 3,000 Anniversary Bonus Points: You receive 3,000 bonus points each year, worth around $40-$45. This covers a good portion of the annual fee.
• Two EarlyBird Check-In® Per Year: The same benefit offered on the Premier card.

The Plus card is the most basic offering. While its low annual fee is appealing, it lacks the travel credits and stronger benefits of its more premium siblings. It serves its purpose as a low-cost way to earn points and work towards the Companion Pass, but most travelers will find more long-term value by opting for the Priority card.

The Business Card Advantage: A Faster Path to the Companion Pass

For those with a small business, a side hustle, or freelance work, Southwest’s business credit cards are a strategic goldmine. This is because the welcome bonuses from both a personal and a business card can be combined to earn the 135,000 points needed for the Companion Pass.

For example, a new cardmember could:

1. Sign up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and earn a welcome bonus of, say, 75,000 points.
2. Sign up for the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and earn a welcome bonus of 80,000 points.

By meeting the minimum spending on both cards, you would have over 155,000 points, easily clearing the threshold for the Companion Pass. This “two-card” strategy is the fastest and most popular method for earning this incredible perk.

Beyond the Companion Pass: Are the Everyday Benefits Worth It?

While the Companion Pass is the main attraction, the cards do offer ongoing value.

• Earning Rates: All Southwest cards offer 2x points per dollar on Southwest purchases and with select hotel and rental car partners, and 1x point on all other purchases. The Priority and Premier cards also offer 2x on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. These are decent, but not industry-leading, earning rates.
• Anniversary Points: As detailed above, the anniversary points bonus on each card is a key feature that helps justify the annual fee year after year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees (Priority and Premier only): If you travel internationally, this can save you 3% on every purchase abroad.
• Travel Protections: The cards come with standard travel protections like Lost Luggage Reimbursement and Baggage Delay Insurance.

It’s important to note that Southwest is primarily a domestic and near-international airline (serving the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America). If your travel goals involve flying to Europe or Asia, these cards will be of limited use.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Get a Southwest Credit Card?

So, let’s circle back to the original question: is a Southwest credit card worth it?

You should absolutely get a Southwest credit card if:

• You live near a Southwest hub or focus city. The value of the card is directly tied to how often you can fly the airline.
• You regularly travel with another person (a partner, child, or friend). The Companion Pass is the primary driver of value, and if you can use it even two or three times a year, the card pays for itself many times over.
• You are a strategic traveler looking to earn the Companion Pass. Timing your application(s) to earn a welcome bonus early in the calendar year can set you up for nearly two years of BOGO flights.
• You value simplicity. The Rapid Rewards program has no blackout dates. If there’s an open seat on a flight, you can book it with points.

You should probably skip a Southwest credit card if:

• You are a solo traveler. While you can still get great value from the points, you miss out on the exponential value of the Companion Pass.
• Southwest doesn’t have a strong presence at your home airport.
• Your primary goal is luxury international travel. You would be better served by a more flexible rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or an American Express® Gold Card, whose points transfer to a variety of international airline partners.

For the right type of traveler, a Southwest credit card isn’t just “worth it”—it’s one of the most valuable and rewarding decisions you can make. By leveraging a welcome bonus to earn the Companion Pass, you can unlock a level of travel savings that is virtually unmatched in the industry.