Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Chase's Southwest Travel Card

Annual Fee $229

Earning Rate 4x southwest purchases • 2x gas stations • 2x restaurants • 2x local transit, internet/cable/phone & select streaming through Dec 31, 2025 • 2x Rapid Rewards hotel & car partners through Dec 31, 2025

Welcome Bonus 100,000 points after $4,000 spend in 5 months

Card Material Plastic card with matte finish • colors: Navy, Red, Yellow

Apply for Southwest Priority →

Practical Recommendation

If you fly Southwest a few times a year, this is the "live in the ecosystem" card: first checked bag free for everyone on your reservation, earlier boarding (Group 5), and seat selection perks once assigned seating goes live in 2026. You also get 7,500 anniversary points and a yearly shot at better boarding positions.

The fee jumped to $229, so make sure you'll actually use the airline credits through 2025 and the new bag/seat perks in 2026. Bottom line: frequent or even semi-regular Southwest flyers can justify the fee; occasional flyers should skip it.

Perks

Earning rates (full view) – 4x on southwest purchases; 2x at gas stations and restaurants; through Dec 31, 2025 also 2x on local transit/commuting (including rideshare), internet/cable/phone and select streaming, and Rapid Rewards hotel & car partners. Straightforward points on everything else.
First checked bag free – The primary cardmember and up to 8 passengers on the same reservation get their first standard checked bag free. Add your Rapid Rewards number to the booking. Not valid on partner-booked flights; size/weight limits still apply.
Group 5 boarding – Cardmember (plus up to 8 on the same reservation) boards in Group 5 on Southwest-operated flights. Good for getting settled earlier without paying extra. Allow up to 14 days after approval for the benefit to show.
Seat selection perks (2026 flights) – With Southwest's assigned seating, Priority cardmembers can select a Preferred or Standard seat at booking when available, and can upgrade to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure when available. Applies to flights operating Jan 27, 2026 and later.
7,500 anniversary points – Posts each year after your cardmember anniversary; easy, predictable value toward flights.
10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points (annual boost) – Get a 10,000-point boost each calendar year to help you reach Companion Pass faster.
Tier-qualifying points from spend – Earn 2,500 TQPs toward A-List for every $5,000 you spend annually.
No foreign transaction fees – Useful if you travel abroad; avoid the typical ~3% fee.

Protections

Lost luggage reimbursement – Up to $3,000 per covered traveler for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage on a covered trip paid with the card. Keep receipts and file promptly.
Baggage delay insurance – Up to $100 per day for 3 days after a 6+ hour delay for essentials like clothing and toiletries. Save your delay documentation and receipts.
Auto rental collision damage waiver – Coverage for theft or collision damage to your rental car when you pay with the card and decline the rental agency's coverage. Secondary in the U.S.; primary when renting outside your country of residence.
Purchase protection – New purchases covered for 120 days against damage or theft, up to $500 per item (New York residents: 90 days).
Extended warranty – Adds 1 year to eligible original manufacturer warranties of 3 years or less (up to 4 years total from purchase date).

Southwest Priority: What's Changing (2025 → 2026)

Timeline

Jul 24, 2025: Southwest and Chase roll out refreshed card benefits. — Official press release
Jul 29, 2025: Southwest starts selling assigned seats for flights on and after Jan 27, 2026. — Assigned seating overview
Through Dec 31, 2025: Legacy perks (like the $75 Southwest annual travel credit and 4 upgraded boardings) are still usable; some end after this date. — Card terms
Jan 27, 2026: Assigned seating goes live on flights. New seat-selection and boarding perks for cardmembers begin operating on flights from this date forward. — Policy change

What's new (rolling out now and into 2026)

Seat selection at booking (Priority only): Pick a Preferred or Standard seat at booking for you and up to 8 people on the same reservation, at no extra charge, when seats are available. Authorized users do not get this perk. Seats can be released if the primary cardmember is removed from the reservation. — Cardmember benefits — Card terms
Extra legroom upgrades (within 48 hours): Upgrade yourself and up to 8 on the same reservation to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure, at no extra charge, when available. Authorized users do not get this perk. — Cardmember benefits — Card terms
Group 5 boarding: If you are not already assigned an earlier group by fare or status, you and up to 8 on the same reservation board with Group 5. Expect earlier overhead-bin access without paying a separate fee. — Assigned seating overview
First checked bag free (new card benefit): The primary cardmember and up to 8 on the same reservation get the first standard checked bag free on Southwest-operated flights when the cardmember's Rapid Rewards number is in the booking. Size and weight limits still apply. — Cardmember benefits — Card terms

Use-it-by-Dec 31, 2025 items (then changing or ending)

$75 Southwest annual travel credit: Automatically wipes out up to $75 in eligible Southwest purchases per anniversary year. Listed as available through Dec 31, 2025. — Card terms
4 upgraded boardings reimbursed: Buy A1–A15 at the gate or in the app and get up to 4 credits per anniversary year. Does not apply to flights with assigned seating in 2026. — Card terms
Extra 2x categories: Local transit and commuting, internet/cable/phone and select streaming, Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners, Southwest Cruises earn rates are shown through Dec 31, 2025. After that, earning focuses on core categories (Southwest purchases; gas stations and restaurants). — Card terms

Annual fee and offer timing

Annual fee: The Priority card's annual fee is $229 for new applications. Existing cardholders move to the new fee on their 2026 anniversary date (you will get a notice and can reject the change by following the letter's instructions). — Press release — Southwest consumer cards
Launch window offer: A limited-time welcome offer ran through Sep 17, 2025 to promote the refresh. Check current terms before you apply; these change often. — Press release (PDF)

How this changes the day-to-day value

2025: You still have the $75 travel credit and upgraded boarding reimbursements, plus temporary 2x everyday categories. These make the math easier this year if you buy even one cash Southwest ticket. — Card terms
2026 and after: Value shifts to seat control (pick at booking, upgrade within 48 hours), Group 5 boarding, and first checked bag free. If you fly Southwest a few times a year, the time savings and better seats can outweigh chasing small monthly credits. — Assigned seating overview — Cardmember benefits

Quick checklist (so you do not leave money on the table)

Before Dec 31, 2025: Use your $75 credit and all 4 upgraded boarding reimbursements if you value them. — Card terms
After your card shows as eligible (allow ~14 days): Make sure your Rapid Rewards number is in every booking to unlock seat selection, extra legroom upgrades, Group 5, and the first checked bag perk for your whole reservation. — Card terms