Updated May 2026
Quick Answer
Comparing all Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards issued by Chase: Plus, Premier, and Priority. Which earns the most points and gives the best perks? — read the complete guide below with current rates, tips, and step-by-step instructions.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Chase Credit Cards: Which One to Get in 2026?
Southwest Airlines and Chase offer three co-branded credit cards for Rapid Rewards. The right one depends on how often you fly Southwest and what perks matter most.
📊 Southwest Chase Cards Compared
| Plus ($69) | Premier ($99) | Priority ($149) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $69 | $99 | $149 |
| Welcome bonus | 50,000 pts | 50,000 pts | 50,000 pts |
| Anniversary bonus | 3,000 pts | 6,000 pts | 7,500 pts |
| Travel credit | None | None | $75 SW travel |
| Tier qualifying pts bonus | None | 1,500 TQPs | 1,500 TQPs |
| Upgraded boardings/year | None | None | 4 per year |
| Earning on SW flights | 2x | 3x | 3x |
🏆 The Companion Pass — The Real Goal
The holy grail of Southwest travel: the Companion Pass lets a designated companion fly free (just pays taxes ~$5.60) on every flight for the rest of the calendar year and all of next year. Requirement: earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year.
Strategy: apply for a Southwest card in January, hit the welcome bonus (50,000 pts), and the companion pass lasts almost 2 full years.
✈️ Rapid Rewards — No Blackout Dates
Southwest points are among the most flexible in US aviation: no blackout dates, no seat categories — any available seat can be booked with points. Points are refundable, and changes/cancellations are free (points redeposited).
🔄 Rapid Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards points cannot be transferred to Chase Ultimate Rewards or vice versa. They’re separate currencies. However, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred 1:1 to Southwest Rapid Rewards, making the Sapphire Preferred/Reserve powerful Southwest point generators.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Southwest Plus ($69/year) is best for occasional flyers. The 3,000 anniversary bonus points alone cover a significant portion of the fee, and the welcome bonus is the same as the premium cards.
Yes! Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer 1:1 to Southwest Rapid Rewards. This is one of the 14 Chase transfer partners, making the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve an excellent source of Southwest points.
No, Southwest operates primarily within the US, Caribbean, and Central America. For flights from Brazil, you’d need to connect through a US gateway (like Houston or Miami) and then use Southwest for domestic segments.
Southwest points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. Any earning or redemption activity — including credit card purchases — resets the expiration clock.
