For loyal Southwest flyers, choosing the right credit card can significantly enhance the travel experience. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is a strong contender, offering a straightforward path to earning points and enjoying valuable travel benefits.
This article will explore the key features of this card, from its points-earning structure and anniversary bonuses to exclusive perks like EarlyBird Check-In and boosts toward elite status, helping you decide if it’s the perfect travel companion for your wallet. Read on!
How the Credit Card Works
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card operates as a direct pipeline to the airline’s loyalty program. At its core, it’s a Visa credit card that allows you to accumulate Rapid Rewards points on every purchase you make. These points, then, go automatically into your Southwest Rapid Rewards account, combining with any points you earn directly from flying.
The card rewards spending in specific categories. You’ll earn accelerated points on purchases made directly with Southwest, with partner hotels and car rental agencies, and on everyday expenses like local transit, commuting, internet, cable, and select streaming services. For all other purchases, you earn a standard rate of one point per dollar.
This system aims to turn your regular spending into future travel opportunities.
Typically, this card appeals to individuals who are already loyal to Southwest Airlines or live near one of its hubs. The ideal cardholder is someone who flies with the airline several times a year and is looking to maximize their rewards to earn free flights faster.
It’s also a great fit for travelers aspiring to achieve elite A-List status or the highly valued Companion Pass, as the card provides direct pathways and boosts to help reach these goals more quickly.
Main advantages of Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
This card offers several valuable perks designed for the frequent Southwest traveler. Here are five key advantages:
- Annual Points Bonus: Card members receive a yearly bonus of 6,000 points after their card anniversary, providing a solid foundation for your next reward flight without any spending required.
- EarlyBird Check-In: You get two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year. This benefit automatically checks you in for your flight, which typically results in a better boarding position and earlier access to overhead bins.
- Companion Pass Boost: The card gives you an annual head start with a 10,000-point boost toward the highly sought-after Companion Pass, making it significantly easier to achieve this top-tier perk.
- Pathway to A-List Status: You can earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent annually, accelerating your progress toward A-List status and its associated travel benefits.
- Inflight Purchase Rebate: Enjoy 25% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases like drinks and Wi-Fi, adding extra value every time you fly.
Disadvantages
While the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card is rich in benefits, it’s important to consider its potential downsides before applying. No single credit card is perfect for everyone, and this one has specific characteristics that might not suit all travelers.
- Annual Fee: The card comes with a $99 annual fee, which isn’t charged for the first year. You need to use the card’s rewards to make its fees worthwhile.
- Airline-Specific Rewards: All the points and benefits are tied directly to Southwest Airlines. If you prefer to fly with different carriers or need more flexible travel options, this card will be very limiting.
- High APR: The card has a variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for purchases and balance transfers that can be quite high, making it unsuitable for carrying a balance from month to month.
- No Lounge Access: Unlike some other premium travel cards, this card does not offer complimentary access to airport lounges.
Rates and commissions of Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
Understanding the costs associated with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is crucial for any potential applicant. The most straightforward cost is the $99 annual fee.
Beyond the annual fee, it’s important to be aware of the interest rates. The card has a variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for purchases and balance transfers, which fluctuates with the market. As of my last review, this rate was between 21.49% and 28.49%. There is also a separate, and typically higher, APR for cash advances.
Other potential fees include:
- A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- A cash advance fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
- Late payment fees and returned payment fees can be up to $40.
A significant benefit for travelers is that there are no foreign transaction fees on purchases they do outside the United States.
Requirements and eligibility criteria
While Chase does not publish a strict set of requirements, applications for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card are generally evaluated based on several factors. Prospective cardholders will need to meet certain criteria to get the approval.
First and foremost, applicants typically need a good to excellent credit score, generally considered to be 670 or higher. A strong credit history, demonstrating responsible use of other credit lines, is essential.
You will also need to provide personal information. It includes your Social Security number, address, and details about your annual income and employment status.
It’s also important to be aware of Chase’s unwritten but widely reported “5/24 rule”. This informal policy means that if you have opened five or more new personal credit card accounts with any bank in the last 24 months, your application for a new Chase card, including this one, is likely to be denied.
While not an official stated rule on the application page, it is a critical eligibility factor to consider before applying.
How to get a Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Application Process: The most direct way to apply is online through the Chase website. The digital application form will ask for your personal and financial details. You may receive an instant decision, or the application might go into a pending status for further review. While less common, you may also be able to apply at a physical Chase Bank branch.
- Tips for Approval: To increase your chances, ensure your credit score is in the good-to-excellent range. Be mindful of Chase’s “5/24 rule”—if you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards with any bank in the last 24 months, your application may be denied. Having a stable income and ensuring all application information is accurate and complete is also crucial.
- Receiving Your Card: Once you get the approval, you can typically expect to receive your new Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- In Case of Rejection: If you don’t get the approval, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons. You also have the option to call the Chase reconsideration line. A representative can review your application with you, and sometimes a denial can be overturned if you can provide additional context or correct any information. It is generally advised not to reapply immediately after a rejection.
Conclusion
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card presents a compelling package for the dedicated Southwest Airlines flyer. The card effectively turns everyday spending into tangible travel benefits, accelerating the path to free flights and A-List status.
However, applicants must weigh these advantages against the $99 annual fee and the card’s inherent limitation to a single airline. It is best suited for travelers who can maximize the rewards to easily offset the yearly cost. If Southwest is your go-to airline, this card is certainly worth considering.
For those interested in applying, you can visit the official Chase website and get your Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card right away. You just need to click here!
