Best Southwest Cards for Earning Rapid Rewards

Southwest has become a favorite airline loyalty program in the U.S. due to its often generous welcome offers and its lucrative companion pass. Even their most premium card doesn't have a scary annual fee, making the program and its cards very approachable for all travelers. Plus, any card that you see on this list that isn't a Southwest card will transfer its point to the Southwest program for continued travel benefits.

🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card for Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on purchases, enjoy benefits like an annual bonus, and provides a convenient way to save on Southwest Airlines flights, making it a solid choice for those who frequently travel with this airline.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers various travel benefits, including opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on purchases, an annual travel credit, and elevated loyalty status benefits, making it a top choice for those who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Premier card is for individuals who love to travel with Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can earn Rapid Rewards points for their spending and enjoy benefits such as an annual bonus and in-flight savings, making it a suitable choice for frequent Southwest flyers. *The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Daily Drop. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for businesses and Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers various travel benefits, such as Rapid Rewards points for business spending, anniversary bonus points, and in-flight savings, making it a valuable choice for businesses that frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for business owners and Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers a range of benefits, including opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on business purchases, annual anniversary points, and in-flight savings, making it a valuable choice for businesses that frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Daily Drop's Most Popular Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

🏆 Daily Drop's Most Popular Card

60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a popular travel rewards credit card known for its excellent earning potential—we love it at Daily Drop! Cardholders can redeem their points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or transfer them to various airline and hotel loyalty programs for added flexibility.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Best Southwest Cards for Earning Rapid Rewards

Southwest has become a favorite airline loyalty program in the U.S. due to its often generous welcome offers and its lucrative companion pass. Even their most premium card doesn't have a scary annual fee, making the program and its cards very approachable for all travelers. Plus, any card that you see on this list that isn't a Southwest card will transfer its point to the Southwest program for continued travel benefits.

🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card for Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on purchases, enjoy benefits like an annual bonus, and provides a convenient way to save on Southwest Airlines flights, making it a solid choice for those who frequently travel with this airline.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

🏆 Best for Southwest loyalists

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers various travel benefits, including opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on purchases, an annual travel credit, and elevated loyalty status benefits, making it a top choice for those who frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 statement credit + 40k
Bonus Points
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
The Southwest Premier card is for individuals who love to travel with Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can earn Rapid Rewards points for their spending and enjoy benefits such as an annual bonus and in-flight savings, making it a suitable choice for frequent Southwest flyers. *The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Daily Drop. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for businesses and Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers various travel benefits, such as Rapid Rewards points for business spending, anniversary bonus points, and in-flight savings, making it a valuable choice for businesses that frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card designed for business owners and Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. It offers a range of benefits, including opportunities to earn Rapid Rewards points on business purchases, annual anniversary points, and in-flight savings, making it a valuable choice for businesses that frequently fly with Southwest Airlines.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

🏆 Daily Drop's Most Popular Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

🏆 Daily Drop's Most Popular Card

60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a popular travel rewards credit card known for its excellent earning potential—we love it at Daily Drop! Cardholders can redeem their points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or transfer them to various airline and hotel loyalty programs for added flexibility.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Personal Cards

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Business Cards

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Which Card is Right for You?

Southwest credit cards are perfect for anyone who loves to fly Southwest, especially if you want a shot at earning the Southwest Companion Pass. From cards with no annual fees to more premium options with anniversary bonuses, you can choose the card that fits your travel style and helps you earn points fast.

Other Ways to Earn

Beyond just flying, Southwest credit cards give you points on purchases like dining and Southwest bookings. Maximize your points through Southwest’s Rapid Rewards Shopping and Dining portals. And if you’ve got Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer them to Southwest, too.

Pros and Cons

Pros

[.pro] No blackout dates or change fees on award flights [.pro]

[.pro] Earn points toward the Southwest Companion Pass [.pro]

[.pro] Anniversary point bonuses and flexible cancellation policies [.pro]

Cons

[.con] No premium lounge access [.con]

[.con] Limited international destinations [.con]

FAQs

Can I earn the Southwest Companion Pass with a Southwest credit card?

Yes! Points earned through a Southwest credit card count toward the Companion Pass, which lets you bring a friend for just the cost of taxes and fees.

How do I redeem Southwest points for flights?

Redeem your points directly on Southwest.com. There are no blackout dates, and every seat can be booked with points if available.

Do Southwest credit cards come with travel insurance?

Certain Southwest cards include travel protections like trip delay reimbursement and baggage delay insurance.

What bonus categories do Southwest credit cards offer?

They typically offer bonus points on Southwest purchases, local transit, commuting, and select streaming services.

Do I get any free flights with a Southwest credit card?

While Southwest cards don’t offer outright free flights, most cards give you anniversary points that can be redeemed for flights.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Content Specialist

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor