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How To Decide Which Southwest Card To Get

You may be wondering, which Southwest card is best? Which Southwest card should I get? How to decide which Southwest card to get. What’s the difference between the Southwest credit cards? And which Southwest credit card is right for you. Here’s how to decide which Southwest card to get.

Contents

Southwest Credit Cards

Southwest Airlines has five airline credit cards:

One of the best features of these cards is that the signup bonus counts towards earning a Southwest Companion Pass and getting two years of free flights.

This post will focus on the Southwest personal travel rewards cards.

Interested in a business card? Read how to choose a Southwest business card.

Southwest Personal Credit Cards

With all three personal Southwest credit cards, you earn bonus points for every $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Southwest hotel and car partners. And you earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else.

And you earn a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying point boost every year!

But that’s where the similarities end. Each Southwest card offers different perks.

Depending on what you need from a card, one might be a better fit for you.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

You should get the Southwest Priority Card if you’re a frequent flier on Southwest.

Because you get 4 upgraded boarding passes, the coveted A1 to A15 boarding slots, and a $75 travel credit every year.

You get 3 points for every $1 spent on Southwest, 2 points for each $1 spent on rideshare, transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone, and certain streaming, and 1 point on everything else.

Need to use Wi-Fi or want a drink when you fly? With this card, you get a 25% discount on inflight purchases.

You can use this card when you travel internationally because there are no foreign transaction fees.

Every year on your card anniversary, you get 7,500 points every year after paying your $149 annual fee.

You also earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points a year if you keep your card for the entire 12 months.

Pro-tip: All points earned from this card count towards the Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Are you tired of getting stuck in the middle seat? You should get the Southwest Premier Card.

With this card, you earn A-List and A-List preferred status points which means you’re more likely to get an “A” or “B” boarding pass! Because you get 2 EarlyBird Check-ins each year for free!

You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest, 2 points per dollar spent on rideshare, transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone, and certain streaming, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

You pay no foreign transaction fees with this card so you can use it when you travel to Mexico, Belize, the Caribbean, and the Dominican Republic.

Every year you renew your card and pay the $99 annual fee you get 6,000 points.

You earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points a year when you have your card for 12 months.

Pro-tip: All points earned from this card count towards the Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Plus card is the right card for you if you want a card that earns Southwest points, don’t care where you sit on the plane, and want a lower annual fee.

You get 2 points for every $1 spent on Southwest, rideshare, transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone, and certain streaming, and 1 point on everything else.

And you get 2 EarlyBird Check-ins each year for free!

You get 3,000 points every year you renew your card and pay the $69 annual fee.

You also earn 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points a year if you keep your card for the entire 12 months.

Pro-tip: All points earned from this card count towards the Southwest Companion Pass

Conclusion

Southwest has five credit cards so it can be confusing and hard to decide which Southwest card to get.

The Southwest Priority card is great if your fly Southwest a lot and comes with other perks like discounts on inflight Wi-Fi and onboard purchases.

If you travel internationally, the Southwest Premier card is a good card because has no foreign transaction fees.

Looking for a card that earns Southwest points, doesn’t have any perks, and has a low annual fee? Then get the Southwest Plus card.

The Companion Pass signup bonus promotion for the Southwest Priority, Southwest Premier, and Southwest Plus is usually is offered for only a month or two.

If you’re thinking of getting one of these cards, you may want to get one now.

Did you decide which personal Southwest card you’re getting?

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Traveling Well For Less has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.


Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card to get started in the world of miles and points. It is the first card you should get to start traveling for free because the welcome offer is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining, $50 yearly credit on hotels booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.
 

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of my favorite cards for earning cash back card and travel rewards. It offers a welcome offer of 3% cash back = an extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 in purchases your first year.
 
My favorite perks about this card are earning 6.5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal, 4.5% cash back at drugstores and restaurants, unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee. When paired with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, you can use your points to travel for free.
 

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Anosa Malanga

Saturday 20th of March 2021

It's good to know the advantages and disadvantages and of course what would be the benefits of using a card. What I like is those offering no annual membership fee and yeah, the one with cash backs too!

Rosemary

Friday 19th of March 2021

In a previous life, I used to fly Southwest Airlines quite frequently and got so many perks including buddy passes. Loved the experience, but never got one of their credit cards. Reading this makes me realize that I probably missed out on so many other perks. Great airline and great card options.

Kita Bryant

Friday 19th of March 2021

I have always had great experiences with Southwest. I would love to get any of their cards.

Mama Maggie's Kitchen

Thursday 18th of March 2021

I really need this post! Choosing what Southwest card to get is quiet tough and we all want what's best.

Kathy

Thursday 18th of March 2021

This is a lot of great info for those traveling. I need to check this out myself. I don't travel a whole lot, but this would still be great to look into.

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