Evaluating the Value of the Southwest Priority Card
Your Ticket to Savings: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card Basics For February 2025
Sure, the Southwest Priority Card has the highest annual fee among personal Chase Southwest Cards. But before you run for the hills, let’s chat perks. If you’re on Southwest flights more often than you confess to your other airline-loyalist friends, it’s worth every dollar.
Southwest is celebrated for its Companion Pass, absence of change fees, and a two-free-checked-bags policy. Whether you’re a die-hard Southwest devotee or someone who occasionally prefers its expansive route map, having points and perks here is a no-brainer.
Southwest Priority Card Welcome Bonus
If you’re keen, there’s a sweet bargain up for grabs until March 31, 2025. Spend $4,000 in three months, get:
- 30,000 bonus points
- A Companion Pass valid till February 28, 2026
Each Rapid Rewards point? It’s like turning a mere 1.2 cents into $360. But the real star? That Companion Pass, your ride-or-die partner in practically-free travels. Bringing someone along is just taxes and fees away from reality.
Chase Welcome Bonus Restrictions
There’s no free lunch, folks. Chase and Southwest have rules. If you’ve already got a Southwest Rapid Rewards personal card, or if you’ve snagged a welcome bonus in the last 24 months, look away. But if a business card sizzles in your wallet, you’re still in the game.
Then there’s Chase’s infamous 5/24 rule. Sneak peak: open five or more card accounts in the past two years? Not happening. Though, whispers suggest this isn’t as rigid lately. Tread lightly!
Southwest Priority Card: $149 Annual Fee
That $149 fee might make you gag at first. But stay with me! When you stack up the perks, it’s not some jaw-dropping expense. Other Southwest personal cards charge $69 and $99 yearly — consider these your warm-up acts. As we unpack the benefits, this premium fee starts making sense.
Earning Points With The Southwest Priority Card
Swipe that Southwest Priority Card to gather:
- 3x points on Southwest buys
- 2x points for transit and commuting — rideshares included
- 2x points for the internet, cable, and your binge-worthy streaming services
- 1x points on the rest of your spending adventures
Personally, I’d swipe this card mostly if A-List status and Companion Pass are on your radar. Otherwise, other cards might be better for your daily spend. But still, the bonus categories? Not too shabby.
Earn Southwest Companion Pass
Southwest’s Companion Pass? It’s like that golden ticket everyone dreams of. Plane buddy flies with you all year, just cover their taxes and fees. The deal is that good. To score it, collect 135,000 points in one calendar year. Good news: just having this card gives you a nice 10,000-point boost.
The current welcome offer can practically hand you the Companion Pass with just a little spending effort — jump on it if you can!
Earn Southwest A-List Status
Looking to flaunt that A-List Status with Southwest? Your roomie in the sky offers priority boarding, extra points on flights, and even same-day standby options. Spend your way through the Priority Card for unlimited Tier Qualifying Points. For each $5,000 spent, snag 1,500 TQPs. Whether accumulating 35,000 TQPs annually is a cakewalk or marathon for you depends on your loyalty on their wings.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Jetting beyond borders? Cheer up because this card skips foreign transaction fees. It’s a Visa, widely accepted worldwide. Why not let the Southwest Priority Card tag along on your international spending spree?
The Incredible Southwest Priority Card Perks
The welcome bonus is tempting, but let’s chat about the card’s fabulous perks. We’re talking anniversary bonus points, sweeping board arrangements, a yearly $75 Southwest travel credit, and 25% off in-the-sky shopping. Ready to dig into these benefits?
Southwest Priority Card: 7,500 Anniversary Bonus Points
Throw a party every cardmember anniversary! Southwest gives you 7,500 bonus points. Roughly worth $90 in airfare, it’s like getting almost two-thirds of that annual fee back in travel gold.
Southwest Priority Card: $75 Annual Credit
Breathe easy with the $75 credit on your Southwest purchases each card year. The credit steps up as soon as you do, covering your earliest eligible charges. If you’re frequently airborne with Southwest, this perk nearly pays its cost!
Southwest Priority Card: Upgraded Boardings
A1-15 boarding positions anyone? Grab up to four of those coveted spots per year — courtesy of the card. Free fee reimbursements sweeten this perk. Southwest typically charges between $30-149 a pop for these, so the value can soar from $120 to $596 if you maximize usage.
Southwest Priority Card: Drink & Wi-Fi Savings
Fancy a discounted drink or Wi-Fi while aloft? Use the Priority Card and save 25%. Statement credits pop into your account faster than you can say “Cheers!”.
Southwest Priority Card: Travel & Purchase Protection
When mishaps strike, we’ve got your back. Dive into a pool of protections such as car rental collision damage coverage, baggage delays, travel accident insurances, extended warranties, and purchase protection. Details? Dive into your cardmember agreement!
Yes, The Southwest Priority Card Is Worth It
If spending your travel time with Southwest is more frequent than passing up a free upgrade, grab the Southwest Priority Card. Its rewards and savings are top-notch compared to Southwest’s other personnel lineup.
Calculate that annual fee against benefits: a plump 7,500-point anniversary bonus, a $75 travel credit, and more perks. Already deciding to upgrade your plastic? Better now than later.
Want the whole shebang on the Southwest Priority Card, or ready to dive in? Hit this link!