Southwest Speedy Rewards Precedence Credit score Card evaluation

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is essentially the most rewarding of Southwest Airways’ private bank cards, providing a $75 annual Southwest credit score and seven,500 anniversary bonus factors. With a wholesome sign-up bonus and essentially the most advantages of any of the airline’s choices, that is the cardboard to get should you’re a Southwest loyalist. Card Score*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card Score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

Southwest Airways has a legion of followers — largely as a result of its versatile change/cancellation insurance policies and providing two free checked baggage for all passengers. In contrast to different airways, Southwest would not supply lounges, premium cabins and even seating with additional legroom. However it does supply a full suite of cobranded credit cards to assist frequent flyers fulfill their Southwest journey targets.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card has a really helpful credit score of 670 or above and is essentially the most premium private bank card within the Southwest lineup. It affords a whole bunch of {dollars} in worth with Southwest annually, and its present welcome supply affords a wholesome level bonus.

However are its advantages worthwhile sufficient to warrant the $149 annual charge? And is now the suitable time so that you can apply? Let’s discover out.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is at present providing a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Supply ends Dec. 11.

TPG values Speedy Rewards factors at 1.4 cents every, that means 75,000 factors are value $1,050.

That is an above-average supply for this card and hits our threshold of a superb time to use — however it is not the best-ever offer we have seen.

Word that the welcome bonus will rely towards incomes the provider’s commemorated Companion Pass, which requires 135,000 factors in a calendar 12 months.

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Associated: 13 lessons from 13 years’ worth of Southwest Companion Passes

All Southwest playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. In the event you’ve opened 5 or extra bank cards previously 24 months (from all banks, not simply Chase), you is probably not accredited. Additionally, you may’t open a brand new private Southwest card when you have one open or have earned a sign-up bonus previously 24 months on any private Southwest card.

• Anniversary bonus: Every year in your card-opening anniversary, you will obtain 7,500 Speedy Rewards factors, value about $112, based mostly on TPG’s valuations.
• Annual Southwest journey credit score: Throughout every cardmember 12 months, you will obtain a $75 journey credit score that can be utilized on most Southwest purchases, together with tickets (however excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases), dropping the cardboard’s precise value to $74.
• 25% inflight financial savings: Obtain 25% again (as a press release credit score) after you employ your card to buy inflight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging and flicks.
• Tier qualifying factors increase: Earn 1,500 TQPs that rely towards A-Checklist and A-Checklist Most well-liked standing for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar 12 months. (In a positive change, this drops to 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent from Jan. 1, 2024.)

Along with the Southwest-specific advantages, the cardboard comes with misplaced baggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty coverage and purchase protection. The cardboard has no international transaction charges, and the annual charge is $149.

This can be a large number of bonus classes in comparison with different airline credit cards, although top travel cards are sometimes much more profitable.

Associated: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category

Redeeming factors with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card could be very simple. Southwest award costs are straight tied to the money worth of the ticket, that means the variety of factors you want for a flight will fluctuate, however you will hardly ever encounter occasions when you may’t use your factors. Plus, you may redeposit your award with out penalty in case your plans change.

Whereas Southwest’s Speedy Rewards factors will not show you how to fly in first-class suites, they will present nice worth. As an example, you may fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago-Midway (MDW) for simply 8,091 factors one-way, relying on the time of 12 months. In the meantime, different airways usually cost 10,000 miles or much more (assuming you could find availability).

In the event you e book throughout considered one of Southwest’s flash sales, you would rating awards for lower than 2,500 factors one-way. You’ll be able to even fly to enjoyable faraway locations like Hawaii, Costa Rica and Mexico together with your Southwest factors.

Southwest Airways at present affords three personal cards — all with the identical sign-up bonus. Thus, it may be tough to decide on the suitable one.

• If you would like Southwest advantages with a extra modest charge: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is the mid-tier card within the Southwest lineup, with a $99 annual charge. These embody 6,000 anniversary bonus factors, two EarlyBird check-ins per 12 months and 25% again on inflight purchases. For extra particulars, learn our full review of the Southwest Premier card.
• If you would like a Southwest card with a fair decrease annual charge: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card has a $69 annual charge and an anniversary bonus of three,000 factors. You will additionally obtain two EarlyBird check-ins each card anniversary. For extra data, learn our full review of the Southwest Plus card.
• If you would like factors you should use with Southwest and different airways: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns Chase Final Rewards factors, which you’ll be able to switch 1:1 to Southwest — in addition to a variety of airways — for making flight redemptions. You will get quite a few journey protections, a $50 annual hotel credit and strong incomes classes, and the cardboard has a $95 annual charge. For extra data, learn our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

For extra choices, try our full checklist of travel credit cards.

Associated: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus Credit Cards

In the event you fly Southwest not less than a couple of occasions annually, you’ll come out forward with the Southwest Priority Credit Card. The cardboard’s on a regular basis incomes charges aren’t essentially the most profitable, however spectacular built-in perks like upgraded boardings, a $75 annual journey credit score and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus simply make up for it.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is essentially the most rewarding of Southwest Airways’ private bank cards, with a strong sign-up bonus and essentially the most advantages of any of the airline’s choices. In the event you fly Southwest usually, that is the cardboard for you.

Apply right here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card