Review: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Kurt Adams
January 26, 2024
6 min read
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
Who is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card for?
The Southwest Premier Card is the Goldilocks of the three Southwest personal credit cards. If you can't decide between the high and the low, this option splits the difference between the benefits offered by the higher and lower-end options.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Quick Facts
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Earning rate:
- Earn 3X points per dollar on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points per dollar on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners
- Earn 2X points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points per dollar on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- Earn 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Annual bonus points toward Companion Pass
- No foreign transaction fee
- Anniversary point bonus is higher than the lower-tier option
Cons:
- Southwest flies to only a limited number of international destinations
- Reward redemption options are limited
- Other mid-tier airline cards offer more perks
Our take
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Review
Earning points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Review
There are plenty of opportunities to earn points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. Like any co-branded airline card, purchases directly with Southwest will be the most rewarding, earning you 3X points per dollar. This card also earns 2X points per dollar with Rapid Rewards partners, transit, internet, cable, and even select streaming services. The wide range of bonus categories makes this card a great option to use for lots of your everyday expenses.
Redeeming points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Review
While you can redeem your Rapid Rewards points for hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards, you’ll get the best value for your points if you redeem them for Southwest flights. Points prices closely track the cash fare prices of a ticket, so you’ll know you’re getting a good value.
Alternatives to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Review
Similar cards to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Review
The Southwest Premier Card is the middle child of Southwest’s three personal credit cards. Here's how it stacks up with other two Southwest cards.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card comes with the lowest annual fee, but as a trade-off, you’ll get only half as many anniversary points (3,000 instead of 6,000) and earn 2X points on Southwest purchases instead of 3X. On the higher end, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card will net you 7,500 anniversary points, a $75 Southwest travel credit, and extra perks like Upgraded Boardings and the ability to earn A-List status quicker.
It’s worth noting that all three cards will net you 10,000 qualifying points toward Companion Pass annually—there’s no difference there.
Also, be aware that Chase limits you to one personal Southwest card per person.
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
Published January 26, 2024
Last updated March 7, 2024
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