Southwest Premier Credit Card review: Solid perks without the premium price

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers a middle ground within Southwest’s personal credit card lineup, pairing practical airline perks with stronger earning rates than the airline’s entry-level card — without venturing into premium-card territory.

The card includes several meaningful Southwest travel perks, including a free checked bag, preferred seat selection (when available) and anniversary bonus points that can help offset the annual fee. For travelers who want a balance between affordability and airline-specific perks, this card delivers solid value. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: The basics

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier is Southwest’s mid-tier personal cobranded credit card. It’s ideal for travelers who fly Southwest regularly enough to benefit from airline perks but don’t necessarily want to pay for a premium travel card.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Annual fee: $149
• Best for: Regular Southwest flyers seeking more perks than the Plus card without paying for the Priority card
• Rewards structure: Elevated earnings on Southwest purchases plus select dining, grocery, commuting and travel categories
• Key benefits: First checked bag free, preferred seat selection (when available), Group 5 boarding, anniversary bonus points and Companion Pass qualifying boosts
• Rewards currency: Southwest Rapid Rewards points, best redeemed for Southwest-operated flights

We generally recommend a credit score of 670 or higher to improve your approval odds.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier pros and cons

Pros	Cons
<ul> <li><span style=”font-weight: 400″>Free first checked bag</span></li> <li>Anniversary bonus points</li> <li>Preferred seat selection (when available) and priority boarding perks</li> <li>No foreign transaction fees</li> <li>Companion Pass qualifying boosts</li> <li>Travel and purchase protections</li> </ul>	<ul> <li>Has an annual fee</li> <li>Limited value outside the Southwest ecosystem</li> <li>Spending cap on select categories</li> </ul>

Related: How to choose your best credit card strategy

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier key benefits

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier includes several ongoing Southwest perks that can easily help offset the annual fee for travelers who fly the airline multiple times per year.

Southwest travel perks

Cardholders receive several Southwest-specific benefits, including:

• Free first checked bag (for themselves and up to eight passengers traveling on the same reservation)
• Group 5 boarding (for the cardholder and eligible companions)
• Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure (when available)
• One annual 15% flight discount code each anniversary year (excluding Basic fares)
• 25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases

I view the free checked bag benefit as one of the card’s most valuable ongoing perks. Since Southwest now charges for checked luggage on most fares, travelers who check bags regularly can recoup a significant portion of the annual fee through this benefit alone.

Depending on the route and fare type, checking a bag on just a handful of flights each year may be enough to offset much of the card’s $149 annual fee.

The preferred seat selection benefit (when available) is also valuable for travelers who prefer greater control over where they sit. While the 48-hour booking window isn’t as generous as premium airline cards, it still provides solid value for regular Southwest travelers.

For benefits like a free checked bag, preferred seating and Group 5 boarding, cardholders generally only need to attach their Rapid Rewards number to the reservation while keeping their account open and in good standing. However, the inflight discount benefit requires payment with the card.

Anniversary points and Companion Pass boosts

The card also offers ongoing value through Southwest’s loyalty ecosystem.

Cardholders receive 6,000 anniversary bonus points each year after account renewal. Based on TPG’s June 2026 valuations, which value Southwest Rapid Rewards points at 1.25 cents per point, those points are worth $75. That covers roughly half of this card’s annual fee.

You’ll also receive 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually and 1,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent.

I like that Southwest continues to make its cobranded cards meaningful tools for earning the Companion Pass faster, especially since that remains one of the most valuable perks in domestic travel.

Related: How to earn and use the Southwest Companion Pass

Travel and purchase protections

The Southwest Premier also includes several useful protections through Chase, including:

• Baggage delay insurance
• Extended warranty protection
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Purchase protection

While these aren’t headline-grabbing perks, they can provide meaningful value if your travel plans go sideways or you encounter issues after making a purchase.

How to earn and use your rewards

The Southwest Premier offers stronger earning rates than the lower-tier Southwest card, particularly for Southwest purchases and select everyday spending categories.

Earning Rapid Rewards points

With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier, you’ll earn:

• 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases annually (then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

I think the earning structure is decent for Southwest loyalists, though I’d still rather use a flexible travel rewards card for most everyday purchases. The grocery and restaurant categories help make the card more competitive, but the spending cap limits its long-term value.

Some travelers may also miss a gas station bonus category, which is available on Southwest’s other consumer cards.

Redeeming Rapid Rewards points

Rapid Rewards points are generally most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights.

Because Southwest uses dynamic award pricing, redemption costs fluctuate alongside cash fares, but award availability is typically excellent — if a seat is available for purchase, you can usually book it with points.

TPG senior content strategist Gabrielle Bernardini recently redeemed 38,500 Rapid Rewards points (plus $15.60 in taxes and fees) for a round-trip flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Aruba that would have otherwise cost about $800.

That redemption delivered a value of roughly 2 cents per point, a fair bit above TPG’s valuation of 1.25 cents per point.

I tend to get the most value from Rapid Rewards points on short domestic routes where award rates are often reasonable, and Southwest’s flexible policies make it easy to rebook if a fare drops. However, I’ve also found excellent value on international routes to Central America.

For example, I recently redeemed 5,395 Rapid Rewards points (plus around $30 in taxes and fees) for a nonstop flight from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica when the cash fare was roughly $400.

Experiences like this are one reason I enjoy the Rapid Rewards program; while Southwest is often associated with domestic travel, its route network can also unlock great value on flights to destinations in Central America and the Caribbean.

I also like that Southwest doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees. If the price of an award ticket drops after booking, you can rebook and have the difference in points refunded to your account.

While you can redeem points for gift cards, merchandise and hotel stays, flight redemptions typically provide the best value.

Related: Southwest Rapid Rewards: How to earn and redeem points, elite status and more

Downsides to consider about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

The biggest drawback of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier is that it can be difficult to justify within Southwest’s card lineup.

Its $149 annual fee places it squarely between the $99-per-year Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the $229 annual fee on the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees).

As a result, some travelers seeking a lower-cost option may choose the Plus, while many others may find it worthwhile to stretch for the Priority’s richer perks and stronger long-term value proposition.

And while Rapid Rewards points are useful for Southwest loyalists, they still lack the flexibility offered by transferable rewards currencies.

Southwest Premier vs. Southwest Priority

If Southwest is your primary airline, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority is worth considering instead. The card carries a higher annual fee but also offers more premium Southwest benefits, including a larger anniversary bonus, additional ongoing perks and annual Southwest travel credits.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Premier works better for travelers who want a balance between affordability and airline-specific perks.

Related: Comparing the personal Southwest cards: Which is best?

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier worth it?

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier can be worth it for regular Southwest travelers who will use perks like the free checked bag, preferred seating and anniversary bonus points.

However, I recommend that anyone deciding among Southwest’s consumer cards also consider the lower-fee Southwest Plus and the more premium Southwest Priority, depending on how often they fly the airline.

When to apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

New Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier cardholders can currently earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations, this offer is worth $1,063.

Before applying, it’s worth checking Southwest’s offer history trends to determine whether the current offer is elevated.

The card is also subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more new credit card accounts from any bank within the past 24 months, you’ll likely be denied.

Additionally, you won’t qualify for this bonus if you currently hold another personal Southwest credit card or earned a welcome bonus on one within the past 24 months.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

If the Southwest Premier doesn’t quite fit your travel style, several other cards may offer stronger long-term value depending on your priorities:

• If you want a lower annual fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus offers Southwest perks, including a free first checked bag, anniversary bonus points and Companion Pass qualifying boosts, at a more affordable $99 annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Southwest Plus.
• If you want more premium travel benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to Southwest Rapid Rewards and 13 other airline and hotel partners. It also offers valuable travel perks, including annual travel credits, airport lounge access and elevated earnings on travel purchases. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
• If you want flexible travel rewards: Similar to its higher-annual fee sibling, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to Southwest and other travel partners. With strong earning rates on travel and dining purchases and an approachable $95 annual fee, it’s a good fit for travelers who want flexibility without paying for premium travel perks. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

For more options, check out our full lists of the best travel credit cards and best Chase credit cards.

Bottom line

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier offers a solid middle ground for travelers who want more Southwest perks than the entry-level Plus card without paying for a premium travel card.

The free checked bag, preferred seating benefit (when available) and anniversary bonus points can help offset the annual fee, making the card a strong option for regular Southwest flyers.