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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Key Takeaways

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is Chase's top-tier consumer Southwest card, and the only one with a $75 annual Southwest travel credit that meaningfully offsets its $149 annual fee. Add 7,500 anniversary points, 4 upgraded boardings per year, and 4 EarlyBird Check-In credits, and the Priority card delivers roughly $280+ in annual value for anyone flying Southwest at least twice a year. For frequent Southwest flyers, it's the clear choice within the Rapid Rewards lineup.

Card Overview

FeatureDetail
Annual fee$149
Welcome bonus50,000 points after spending $1,000 in first 3 months
Annual travel credit$75 Southwest travel credit
Anniversary points7,500 per year
Upgraded boardings4 per year (A1–A15)
Foreign transaction fee$0

Southwest Priority Card Benefits

  • $75 Southwest annual travel credit: auto-applied to Southwest purchases
  • 4 upgraded boardings per year: guaranteed A1–A15 position for a better seat
  • 4 EarlyBird Check-In credits per year: worth $60+ annually
  • 7,500 anniversary points: credited on your cardmember anniversary, worth ~$105
  • No foreign transaction fees: makes this the travel-friendly pick within the Southwest lineup

How to Earn Rapid Rewards Points

CategoryPoints per $1
Southwest Airlines3x
Rapid Rewards Hotel + Car2x
Transit (rideshare, commuter rail)2x
Internet, cable, phone, streaming2x
All other purchases1x

Is the Southwest Priority Card Worth It?

For anyone who flies Southwest 2+ times per year, yes — the Priority card's annual value easily exceeds the $149 fee. Break-even math: $75 travel credit + 7,500 anniversary points (~$105 in Wanna Get Away travel) + 4 upgraded boardings (~$100 value) + 4 EarlyBird credits (~$60) = $340 in annual value. Subtract the $149 fee and you net $191 per year, before factoring in point earning on Southwest spend.

Southwest Priority vs. Premier vs. Plus

FeaturePlusPremierPriority
Annual fee$69$99$149
Annual travel creditNoneNone$75
Anniversary points3,0006,0007,500
Upgraded boardings004
EarlyBird credits224
Foreign transaction fees3%NoneNone

Who Should Get This Card

Best for: frequent Southwest flyers (3+ trips per year), hub-city residents, families who want to earn Companion Pass efficiently, and international travelers who need a no-FX-fee card with Southwest partner benefits. Skip if you fly Southwest less than twice a year — the Plus card's lower fee will net out better.

FAQ