Southwest Airlines is undergoing a significant transformation, reshaping the travel experience with new fees, a modernized boarding process, and assigned seating. These changes coincide with a complete refresh of their credit card offerings, prompting a closer look at which card best suits your travel habits.
Currently, Southwest offers three personal credit cards – the Plus, Premier, and Priority – each boasting a welcome offer of 85,000 points after $3,000 in spending within the first three months. These points translate to substantial value, estimated at over $1,100, and represent a significant head start towards earning the coveted Companion Pass, unlocking almost two years of free companion travel.
The core differences between these cards lie in their annual fees and the perks they provide. The Plus card carries a $99 annual fee, the Premier a $149 fee, and the Priority a $229 fee. Each tier unlocks increasingly valuable benefits, designed to enhance your Southwest flying experience.
All three cards now include a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions, a benefit that can quickly offset the annual fee, especially for families. Considering a single checked bag costs $35 each way, a family of four could save $280 on a round trip alone.
Beyond the free checked bag, all cards offer two EarlyBird Check-Ins annually (for 2025 flights) and priority boarding for flights operating in 2026 and beyond. These features streamline the boarding process, increasing your chances of securing your preferred seat.
The earning structures have also been updated. The Plus card earns 2 points per dollar at grocery stores and gas stations (on the first $5,000 spent annually), while the Premier boosts that to 2 points at grocery stores and restaurants (up to $8,000). The Priority card leads the pack with 4 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 2 points at gas stations and restaurants.
However, some bonus categories are disappearing at the end of the year across all cards, including hotel and car rental partners, and spending on internet, cable, phone services, and local transit. This shift emphasizes the importance of maximizing the remaining bonus categories and evaluating the long-term value.
For the dedicated Southwest flyer, the Priority card emerges as the most compelling option. The $75 annual travel credit effectively reduces the annual fee to $154, and the unlimited upgrades to extra-legroom seats and Preferred seat selection at booking offer significant advantages.
The Priority card also accelerates your path to A-List status, earning 2,500 tier-qualifying points for every $5,000 spent, compared to 1,500 with the Premier card. This, combined with the higher earning rates on Southwest purchases, makes it ideal for frequent travelers.
If the Priority card’s annual fee feels too steep, the Premier card provides an excellent alternative. For an extra $50 annually, you receive a higher anniversary point bonus and Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure, justifying the increased cost.
The Plus card remains a viable option for those seeking the lowest annual fee, but its limited perks may not fully maximize your Southwest benefits. It’s best suited for infrequent flyers who primarily value the free checked bag.
Before applying, be mindful of Chase’s 5/24 rule, which may disqualify you if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months. Additionally, Southwest has its own rules regarding welcome bonuses, preventing those who’ve recently received a bonus from qualifying for another.
Ultimately, the best Southwest credit card depends on your individual travel patterns and spending habits. Carefully consider the annual fees, perks, and earning structures to choose the card that will deliver the greatest value for your Southwest adventures.
