Southwest Priority Card Review
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is tailored for Southwest Airlines loyalists. This review provides insights into the card's rewards structure, annual fees, and how it enhances your Southwest travel experiences.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card offered by Chase in partnership with Southwest Airlines. This card is designed for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers and provides a range of benefits and rewards for loyal customers. Here's a review of the Southwest Priority Card:
Key Features and Benefits:
Sign-Up Bonus: The card typically offers a substantial sign-up bonus, which can be earned after reaching a specified spending threshold within the initial months of card membership. This bonus can provide a significant number of Rapid Rewards points.
Rapid Rewards Points: Cardholders earn Rapid Rewards points on purchases, including 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Anniversary Bonus: Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you receive a bonus of Rapid Rewards points, helping to offset the annual fee and boost your rewards balance.
Travel Benefits: The Southwest Priority Card offers various travel perks, including a $75 Southwest travel credit, reimbursement for up to four upgraded boardings per year (when available), and no foreign transaction fees.
In-Flight Savings: Cardmembers enjoy 20% back on in-flight purchases made with the card, including drinks, Wi-Fi, and messaging.
Free Checked Bags: When you fly with Southwest Airlines, you and up to eight companions on the same reservation can check your first and second bags for free, which can result in substantial savings.
Priority Boarding: Cardholders receive priority boarding, allowing you to board early and secure overhead bin space.
No Change Fees: Southwest Airlines is known for its flexibility, allowing you to change or cancel flights without paying change fees. The card aligns with this by providing no change fees.
Considerations:
Annual Fee: The Southwest Priority Card has an annual fee, and it's essential to ensure that the card's benefits and rewards justify this cost based on your travel and spending habits.
Limited International Destinations: While Southwest is a popular airline within the United States, it has fewer international routes compared to some other carriers. If you frequently travel abroad, you may need to book connecting flights.
Credit Approval: Approval for this credit card, like any other, depends on your creditworthiness. To maximize your chances of approval, you should have at least a good credit score.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a strong choice for loyal Southwest Airlines travelers who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy travel benefits when flying with the airline. The card's rewards program, travel credits, free checked bags, and anniversary bonuses can significantly enhance the travel experience for Southwest enthusiasts. However, if you don't often fly with Southwest or prefer a more versatile travel rewards card, you may want to explore other options.
A comprehensive analysis of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card..
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a great option for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers who want to earn points on their everyday spending and enjoy a number of valuable benefits. It offers a combination of generous rewards, no annual fee, and valuable travel benefits.
Features:
- No annual fee
- 4 points per dollar on Southwest purchases
- 3 points per dollar on local transit and commuting (including rideshare, car rentals, parking, tolls, and public transportation)
- 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, select streaming services, and gym memberships
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) earned each year after spending $10,000 on purchases
- 4 upgraded boardings each year (when available)
- 25% back on Southwest Airlines in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards:
- Redeem points for Southwest flights, award seats, seat upgrades, and other travel experiences
- No blackout dates
- Points don't expire
Analysis:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers a number of valuable features and rewards for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers. The 4 points per dollar on Southwest purchases is a generous rewards rate, and the 3 points per dollar on local transit and commuting and 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, select streaming services, and gym memberships are nice bonuses. Additionally, cardmembers can earn 1,500 TQP each year after spending $10,000 on purchases, which can help them to achieve A-List or A-List Preferred status.
The card also offers a variety of other valuable benefits, such as 4 upgraded boardings each year (when available), 25% back on Southwest Airlines in-flight purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, cardmembers can earn a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Overall, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a great option for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers who want to earn points on their everyday spending and enjoy a number of valuable benefits. The card offers a generous rewards rate, no annual fee, and a number of valuable travel benefits.
Here is a comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card to other popular travel rewards credit cards:
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Other benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | None | 4 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 3 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services, select streaming services, and gym memberships, 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) earned each year after spending $10,000 on purchases, 4 upgraded boardings each year (when available), 25% back on Southwest Airlines in-flight purchases, no foreign transaction fees, 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | None | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, 1.5% cash back on all other purchases | $0 fraud liability |
| Discover it® Miles | None | 5% cash back at rotating categories each quarter, up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter; 1% cash back on all other purchases | $0 fraud liability, cash back match at the end of your first year |
As you can see, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card compares favorably to other popular travel rewards credit cards. It offers a generous rewards rate, no annual fee, and a number of valuable travel benefits.
If you are a frequent Southwest Airlines traveler, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a great option to consider.