Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $229
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Rewards: 3X on Southwest, 2X on dining and transit, 1X on everything else
• Bonus: 75,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Best For: Dedicated Southwest flyers who want maximum perks, credits, and anniversary points
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the top-of-the-line Southwest card from Chase, delivering the highest anniversary bonus, a $75 annual travel credit, and the broadest set of bonus earning categories. With 3X on Southwest purchases, 2X on dining and transit, and 1X on everything else, it earns faster than the Plus or Premier cards on everyday spending.

The $75 annual Southwest travel credit (applied automatically to Southwest purchases) reduces the effective annual fee from $229 to $154. Combined with 7,500 anniversary points worth approximately $113, the card's built-in annual benefits total roughly $188, making the true cost of holding the card only about $41 per year. That is exceptional value for a card that also includes 4 upgraded boardings per year when available.

The 75,000-point welcome bonus after $3,000 in spending is worth approximately $1,050-$1,200, the largest Southwest card bonus. Points earned count toward the Companion Pass, and the Priority card's higher earning rates accelerate the path to that threshold. For Southwest diehards who fly six or more times per year, the Priority card is the clear choice, delivering more value than both the Plus and Premier at a net cost that is surprisingly close to the Plus card.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Your APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is no penalty APR, but a late payment fee may apply.

Benefits Overview

Credits and Anniversary Perks

• $75 annual Southwest travel credit applied automatically
• 7,500 anniversary bonus points each card renewal year
• 4 upgraded boardings per year when available at the gate
• Points count toward the Companion Pass threshold
• Effective net annual cost is approximately $41 after credits and points

Earning Categories

• 3X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 2X points on dining including takeout and delivery
• 2X points on local transit and commuting
• 1X point on all other purchases
• No caps or limits on point earning

Southwest and Travel Benefits

• 2 free checked bags per passenger on all Southwest flights (airline policy)
• No change or cancellation fees on Southwest flights
• No foreign transaction fees
• 25% back on in-flight Southwest purchases
• Points never expire with qualifying account activity

Rewards & Points

• 3X points on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 2X points on dining and local transit
• 1X point on all other purchases

Southwest Rapid Rewards points are worth approximately 1.4-1.6 cents each on Southwest flights. The Priority card earns the same 3X Southwest rate as the Premier but adds 2X dining, broadening everyday earning. All card-earned points count toward the Companion Pass threshold of 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. At average Southwest valuations, 75,000 points are worth approximately $1,050-$1,200, enough for four to five one-way domestic flights on Southwest Airlines.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $229
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% (min $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min $10)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Southwest loyalists who fly Southwest six or more times per year and want maximum perks
• Dining spenders who eat out frequently and want 2X on dining in addition to transit
• Companion Pass chasers who want the highest earning rate to reach the 135,000-point threshold fastest
• Upgraded boarding seekers who want 4 chances per year at an upgraded boarding position
• Value maximizers who want the best net value after accounting for credits and anniversary points

Not Good For

• Infrequent Southwest flyers who fly Southwest fewer than 4 times per year and cannot use the $75 credit fully
• Fee-sensitive cardholders who balk at the $229 sticker price without calculating the net cost
• Non-Southwest travelers who fly other airlines primarily and cannot benefit from Southwest-specific perks

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• $75 annual Southwest travel credit reduces the effective fee significantly
• 7,500 anniversary points ($113 value) further offset the annual fee
• 75,000-point welcome bonus is the highest among Southwest cards
• 3X on Southwest and 2X on dining and transit covers key spending areas
• 4 upgraded boardings per year improve the Southwest flying experience
• Net annual cost is approximately $41 after credits and anniversary points
• Points count toward the Companion Pass at the highest earning rate
• 2 free checked bags per passenger on every Southwest flight
• No change or cancellation fees on Southwest flights
• 25% back on Southwest in-flight purchases

Cons

• $229 annual fee is the highest among Southwest cards
• 1X base rate on non-bonus spending is still modest
• Upgraded boardings are not guaranteed and depend on gate availability
• Southwest does not fly to most international destinations
• No airport lounge access included
• Points are most valuable only on Southwest flights
• No trip delay or cancellation insurance
• Requires consistent Southwest travel to justify over the Plus or Premier

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

Total estimated first-year value: $1,919 including the welcome bonus (valued at $1,125 at 1.5 cents per point), $75 travel credit, and 7,500 anniversary points. Net annual cost after built-in benefits is approximately $41.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You fly Southwest six or more times per year and want the maximum card perks
• You will use the $75 annual Southwest travel credit on flights
• You dine out frequently and want 2X on restaurants in addition to Southwest
• You want the largest Southwest welcome bonus for an immediate points windfall
• You are chasing the Companion Pass and want the highest earning rates
• You value upgraded boardings for a better Southwest seating position
• You appreciate that the net annual cost is only about $41 after credits

You Should Skip It If...

• You fly Southwest fewer than 4 times per year and would underuse the perks
• You prefer a lower annual fee from the Plus or Premier card
• You want airport lounge access or premium travel benefits
• You fly airlines other than Southwest most of the time
• You do not dine out enough to benefit from the 2X dining category
• You want a flexible travel card that works across all airlines and hotels

Apply Now

Apply for Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Information accurate as of May 2026. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.