People who "love" Southwest Airlines are likely to be very passionate about the airline. Southwest's reward program, Rapid Rewards, has a simple system for making redemptions. There is no difference between the cash price and the point price of a flight when using points to pay for it.
You may get a long way toward the 125,000 points required for a Southwest Companion Pass® with the welcome bonus from a Southwest Airlines credit card. It could save you thousands of dollars if you could bring a companion along on every flight for no more than the price of their taxes and fees.
The Best Southwest Airlines Credit Card Options
With so many options, selecting the right credit card (or combination of cards) might not be easy to collect Southwest Airlines' miles and other perks. Think about what you want and how to get it before you apply. Some questions to ponder are as follows.
Are The Perks Worth The Price Tag?
The cost of the annual charge will reduce your benefits. You should evaluate your yearly spending to be sure you will earn enough incentives or cash back to cover the cost and then some.
Do You Plan On Making Use Of The Card's Features?
Some cards offer benefits like annual travel credits and price reductions on in-flight purchases. Consider your typical spending habits before applying for a new card. Is there any real value in this perk on your end?
How Convenient Is It To Redeem Points?
Cards issued by Southwest Airlines are intended for frequent flyers on the airline. This becomes a problem if you need to go somewhere that Southwest doesn't service. Your ability to use Southwest Rapid Rewards points for travel to locations outside the United States is severely limited by this, except for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Consider switching to a cash-back or more versatile rewards card if you need to be committed to Southwest.
Tips For Getting Approved For A Southwest Airlines Credit Card
Like most high-rewards credit cards, a high credit score is required to qualify for a Southwest credit card. A decent credit score, according to FICO, is between 670 and 739. 740 to 799 is considered Very Good, while 800 is considered Excellent.
You should check your credit rating before applying for a Southwest credit card to determine your approval chances. The number of newly created accounts, the amount of existing debt, and your payment history are just a few additional elements that can affect your application. Check your credit report quickly before you apply.
Best Credit Cards To Use at Southwest
Priority Credit Card With Rapid Rewards® From Southwest
For Southwest's most loyal customers, the value of the company's top-tier rewards card is unbeatable. The $75 yearly travel credit on Southwest alone more than makes up for the $99 annual cost, and your purchases will also earn you points toward A-list status, making this card an excellent choice.
- Spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months and get 50,000 bonus points.
- 7.500 anniversary points annually.
- Spending money on Southwest® will triple your point total.
- Local public transportation and commutes (including ridesharing) are worth double points.
- Get double the points on select streaming services and internet, cable, and phone bills.
- A yearly Southwest® flight credit of $75.
- Up to four upgraded boardings per calendar year.
- There will be no additional fees when making an overseas transaction.
The Premier Credit Card From Southwest Airlines® That Offers Rapid Rewards
The annual fee for this Southwest credit card is in the middle of the range, and you can earn Rapid Rewards points. Additionally, it allows you to gain A-list tier points
- Spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months and get 50,000 bonus points.
- Each year you get 6,000-anniversary points.
- Spending money on Southwest® will triple your point total.
- Local public transportation and commutes (including ridesharing) are worth double points.
- Get double the points on select streaming services and internet, cable, and phone bills.
- Every year, you get two EarlyBird Check-In®.
- The Companion Pass® points you earn will be applied in full.
- There will be no additional fees when making an overseas transaction.
Apply For A Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
This basic co-branded card from Southwest has a low annual fee, which could be useful if you only fly Southwest sometimes.
- Spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months and get 50,000 bonus points.
- Anniversary points at the rate of 3 000.
- Double your points on all Southwest® airfare and fares.
- Local public transportation and commutes (including ridesharing) are worth double points.
- Get double the points on select streaming services and internet, cable, and phone bills.
- Every year, you get two EarlyBird Check-In®.
- Gain one point for every dollar spent on anything else.
- The Companion Pass® points you earn will be applied in full.