Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card evaluate

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is the center of the pack for Southwest private bank cards. Whereas airline bank cards usually do not have many perks, the absence of overseas transaction charges and 6,000-anniversary bonus factors ought to assist offset this card’s affordable $99 annual payment. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐½

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

Savvy TPG readers know we usually do not advocate constructing your factors technique round a single cobranded airline credit card, as these have a tendency to supply fewer perks and fewer flexibility than a comparably-priced transferable points card.

In relation to the Southwest Rapid Rewards card portfolio, you may usually discover higher incomes charges and extra versatile redemption choices with playing cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards factors — such because the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — which you’ll be able to then switch to Southwest Fast Rewards at a 1:1 charge.

That mentioned, Southwest bank cards are extremely popular amongst Southwest followers. With a really useful credit score rating of 700, the mid-tier model of the three private Southwest playing cards — the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card — has a great stability of perks and an annual payment that might make it worthy of a spot in your card assortment.

This is every little thing you have to know concerning the Southwest Premier Card that can assist you resolve if it ought to earn a spot in your pockets.

New candidates for the Southwest Premier card can earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. That is an elevated bonus from the usual offer and meets our threshold for a great time to use for this card.

TPG values Southwest Fast Rewards factors at 1.4 cents apiece, making the 75,000 factors alone price $1,050. When you can redeem factors in a number of methods, the most effective worth will come from utilizing them for flights.

Do not forget that you can’t earn a sign-up bonus on the Southwest Fast Rewards Premier Credit score Card should you presently have any private Southwest card, nor are you eligible should you earned a sign-up bonus on a private Southwest card previously 24 months.

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Additionally, Southwest’s cobranded playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. When you’ve opened 5 or extra new accounts over the previous 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), you’ll probably be denied for this card.

Associated: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

When you do not count on an airline bank card with a $99 annual payment to return loaded with perks, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has fairly just a few advantages.

You may obtain 6,000 bonus factors on every account anniversary, which TPG values at $84 — that means that the anniversary bonus practically offsets the cardboard’s $99 annual payment.

Additionally, you may get pleasure from extra advantages like two EarlyBird check-ins per yr with the Southwest Premier Card — serving to you get on the airplane early to snag a greater seat — and 25% again on inflight purchases.

You might also be excited by incomes Southwest A-List elite status to additional improve your travels with the provider. You possibly can earn bonus TQPs by spending on the Premier card: 1,500 TQPs for each $10,000 spent per calendar yr. (In a optimistic change, this drops to 1,500 TQPs for every $5,000 spent from Jan. 1, 2024.)

Associated: Battle of the airlines: Why I think Southwest Airlines is the best

Nonetheless, it additionally has different attractive bonus classes: You may earn 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting purchases, web, cable and cellphone providers and with select streaming providers. You may earn 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases.

This quantities to a 4.5% return on spending with Southwest and a 1.5% return on on a regular basis spending, in accordance with our valuations.

When it is time to use your rewards, among the best issues about redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards points is the simplicity of the method. Whether or not you choose the most affordable Wanna Get Away fares or the costliest Enterprise Choose tickets, the price of your award ticket is tied to the money value of the flight.

This implies you do not have to fret about getting the very best doable cent-per-point redemption worth. When you’ve got Fast Rewards factors, you possibly can redeem them for present playing cards or merchandise. Nonetheless, the most effective worth comes from utilizing your factors for Southwest flights — together with options to Hawaii and international destinations.

Do not forget that Southwest’s coverage of no change or cancellation charges means you possibly can reprice your award ticket if the worth drops. This gives invaluable flexibility to get the very best redemption.

Learn extra: How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight

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

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

The Southwest Premier card with a $99 annual payment is generally offset by the 6,000-anniversary bonus factors, which have a price of $84, in accordance with TPG’s valuations. It covers the annual payment should you worth its different perks at greater than $15. Nonetheless, most Southwest loyalists ought to apply for the Priority card as a substitute, because it has extra advantages.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card could be a good possibility for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. When you fly with Southwest sometimes, this card’s value level and perks may make it a great match in your pockets with out the upper price ticket on different journey bank cards.

Apply right here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card