Top Tier Credit Cards Suited for Southwest Airlines Passengers [2025 Edition]

Top Tier Credit Cards Suited for Southwest Airlines Passengers [2025 Edition]

Chase and American Express have introduced a range of credit cards that offer rewards in the form of Southwest Rapid Rewards points, making it easier for travellers to accumulate points and enjoy the benefits of flying with Southwest Airlines.

Chase Credit Cards

The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom FlexSM cards require a Good to Excellent credit score. The Freedom Unlimited offers bonus points for every purchase made, while the Freedom FlexSM offers 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories. Both cards have a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49% after the introductory period [1][2].

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 5x points on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x points on dining, 3x points on select streaming services and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x points on all other purchases [1]. If you have a premium card like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, you can turn cash-back from these cards into transferable Ultimate Rewards points, which can be more valuable [1].

American Express Cards

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 3X Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X Marriott Bonvoy points on all other eligible purchases made on the card [1].

Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards points at a 3:1 ratio, meaning 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points would turn into 25,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points [1].

Southwest Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards

Southwest has an easy-to-use frequent flyer program called Rapid Rewards. Five current Southwest Airlines co-branded credit cards issued by Chase can help you earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points. These include three personal cards and two business cards [1].

| Card Name | Type | Annual Fee | Key Earning Features | |-----------------------------------------------|----------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Personal | $99 | 2X points per $1 at gas stations and grocery stores (up to $5,000/year), 2X on Southwest purchases, then 1X on other spends | | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Personal | $149 | 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X on groceries/restaurants (up to $8,000/year), 1X on other purchases, plus 6,000 bonus points annually at anniversary | | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Personal | $229 | Similar to Premier but with added premium benefits like early boarding and potential seat upgrades | | Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Card | Business | $149 | Business-focused card with Rapid Rewards earning and related business perks | | Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Card | Business | $299 | Highest-tier business card with enhanced earning rates and premium benefits |

All these cards earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points on purchases and offer a generous sign-up bonus (typically 100,000 points for personal cards after spending $4,000 in 5 months) with some distinctions in earning categories, fees, and perks such as free checked bags and Companion Pass boosts [1].

Key points:

• The Plus card is ideal for budget-conscious or infrequent Southwest flyers, with a low annual fee and bonus earning on gas/groceries [2][4].
• The Premier card offers better earning on Southwest flights and dining/grocery, plus anniversary bonus points and a flight discount [4].
• The Priority card has the highest annual fee but includes extra perks like priority boarding and sometimes seat upgrades [1][3][5].
• The business cards serve small business owners, with higher fees but more premium benefits and bigger welcome offers [2][5].

In conclusion, all three personal cards and two business cards issued by Chase help earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points, with the level of rewards and fees increasing from Plus to Premier to Priority and similarly on the business side [1][2][5].

[1] Source: https://www.chase.com/credit-cards/rewards [2] Source: https://www.thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-rapid-rewards-credit-card-review-best-personal-card/ [3] Source: https://www.thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-rapid-rewards-priority-credit-card-review/ [4] Source: https://www.thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-rapid-rewards-premier-credit-card-review/ [5] Source: https://www.thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-rapid-rewards-plus-credit-card-review/

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