Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card overview
The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Premier Credit score Card is the center of the pack for Southwest private bank cards. Whereas airline bank cards usually haven’t got many perks, no international transaction charges and the 6,000-anniversary bonus factors ought to assist offset this card’s affordable $99 annual charge. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
Savvy TPG readers know we usually do not advocate constructing your factors technique round a single cobranded airline credit card. That is as a result of these have a tendency to supply fewer perks and fewer flexibility than a comparably-priced transferable points card.
Relating to the Southwest Rapid Rewards card portfolio, you will usually discover higher incomes charges and extra versatile redemption choices with playing cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards factors. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for instance, permits you to switch Chase factors to Southwest Speedy Rewards at a 1:1 fee.
That mentioned, Southwest bank cards are very talked-about amongst Southwest followers.
With a really helpful credit score of 670 or larger, the Premier is the mid-tier model of the three private Southwest playing cards. It presents an excellent steadiness of perks and an annual charge of $99 that would make it worthy of a spot in your card assortment.
Here is every thing you’ll want to know concerning the Southwest Premier card that will help you determine whether or not it needs to be in your pockets.
The data for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier bank card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card professionals and cons
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Associated: How to choose your best credit card strategy
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Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card welcome supply
New Southwest Premier cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus factors and a Southwest Companion Move (legitimate by means of Feb. 28, 2026) after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. Supply ends March 31.
Not like some airways whose companion ticket is barely good for one use, the Southwest Companion Move permits you to deliver a journey companion free of charge on as many flights as you need — you simply should pay the taxes and charges for these flights.
In response to TPG’s February 2025 valuations, the bonus factors on this welcome supply supply are value as much as $405. And in case you have somebody who usually travels with you, the Companion Move can add considerably extra worth for you.
Do not forget that you can’t earn a welcome bonus on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card in the event you at the moment have a private Southwest card or have earned a welcome bonus on a private Southwest card up to now 24 months.
Additionally, Southwest’s cobranded playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. In case you’ve opened 5 or extra new accounts over the previous 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), your software will probably be denied.
Associated: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card advantages
Whereas we usually do not count on an airline bank card with a $99 annual charge to return loaded with perks, the Southwest Premier card has a number of advantages.
You may obtain 6,000 bonus factors on every account anniversary, that are value $81 in accordance with TPG’s February 2025 valuations. That covers greater than 80% of this card’s annual charge.
Additionally, you will take pleasure in extra advantages like two EarlyBird check-ins per yr with the Southwest Premier Card, getting you on the aircraft early to snag a greater seat. Given these check-ins can cost up to $99 each, they are a precious card profit.
Cardholders also can earn Southwest A-List elite status extra rapidly. You may earn 1,500 bonus Tier Qualifying Factors for each $5,000 you spend in a calendar yr. There is no restrict on the variety of TQPs you possibly can earn.
Moreover, cardholders additionally earn a ten,000 Companion Move qualifying factors increase annually.
They usually obtain 25% again on inflight purchases.
Associated: Southwest Rapid Rewards is now offering Cash + Points redemption
Incomes factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card
Most airline bank cards award bonus factors or miles for purchases immediately with the service, and that is actually true right here: You may earn 3 factors per greenback spent with Southwest on the Premier card.
Nonetheless, it additionally has different engaging bonus classes: You may earn 2 factors per greenback spent on Speedy Rewards lodge and automobile rental companion purchases, local transit and commuting purchases, web, cable and phone services and with select streaming providers.
You may earn 1 level per greenback on all other eligible purchases.
In response to our February 2025 valuations, this quantities to a 4% return on spending with Southwest and a 2.7% return on spending in different bonus classes. All different purchases earn the equal of 1.4% again.
Associated: How to earn over 300,000 points in 2025
Redeeming factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card
When it is time to use your rewards, probably the greatest issues about redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards points is the simplicity of the method.
Whether or not you choose the most affordable Wanna Get Away fares or the costliest Enterprise Choose tickets, the price of your award ticket is tied to the money worth of the flight. This implies you do not have to fret about getting the best potential cent-per-point redemption worth.
When you’ve got Speedy Rewards factors, it’s also possible to redeem them for reward playing cards or merchandise. Nonetheless, the perfect worth comes from utilizing your factors for Southwest flights — together with choices to Hawaii, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt relies in Austin, Texas, the place the airline operates virtually 40% of flights. Due to this, he likes to have a stash of Speedy Rewards factors to fly to locations like Cancun, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Southwest additionally usually runs flash gross sales, which you’ll be able to benefit from to get an amazing deal reserving with factors. Moreover, Southwest’s coverage of no change or cancellation charges means you possibly can save money on your award ticket if the worth drops. This flexibility ensures you will get the most affordable redemption.
Associated: How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
Which playing cards compete with the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card?
The Southwest Premier card has two apparent rivals: Chase’s different Southwest bank cards. Nonetheless, it is value contemplating a basic journey bank card with an analogous annual charge to see whether or not that possibility is best on your pockets.
For extra choices, take a look at our full checklist of the best travel credit cards.
Associated: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus Credit Cards
Is the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card value it?
The anniversary bonus factors principally offset the Southwest Premier card’s $99 annual charge. You may greater than recoup the annual charge in the event you worth its different perks, like EarlyBird Verify-ins and inflight reductions, at greater than $15. Nonetheless, most Southwest loyalists will get extra worth from the Southwest Priority bank card as a substitute, because it presents extra advantages.
Backside line
The Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier card generally is a good possibility for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. In case you fly with Southwest sometimes, this card’s worth level and perks might make it an excellent match on your pockets with out the upper price ticket on different journey bank cards.
Nonetheless, most Southwest followers will probably desire the advantages of the higher-tier Southwest Priority card as a substitute.
Associated: How to choose an airline credit card
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