Who Is The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card For?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is ideally suited for:

• Frequent Southwest flyers who can maximize the $75 annual travel credit and other Southwest-specific benefits
• Southwest loyalists looking to earn A-List or A-List Preferred status faster through Tier Qualifying Points
• Travelers pursuing the Companion Pass® who want to earn qualifying points through credit card spending
• Families who appreciate Southwest's flexible policies and want to earn rewards for vacation travel
• Domestic travelers who primarily fly routes served by Southwest's extensive network
• Occasional international travelers visiting Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, or Hawaii

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This card provides maximum value when you fly Southwest several times per year and can take advantage of perks like upgraded boardings, the annual travel credit, and anniversary bonus points. If you're loyal to Southwest and want premium benefits when flying, this card offers compelling value despite its annual fee.

Comparing The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card With Other Credit Cards

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When considering the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the mid-tier travel card category:

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:

• Annual fee: $95
• Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 2X points on travel and dining, 1X on other purchases
• Standout feature: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel^SM

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card [rates & fees]:

• Annual fee: $95
• Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 2X miles on all purchases, 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Standout feature: Miles transferable to travel partners

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American Express® Gold Card [rates & fees]:

• Annual fee: $325
• Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
• Key rewards: 4X points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X) and 3X on booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
• Standout feature: Up to $120 dining credit and up to $120 Uber Cash annually. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.

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Key Takeaways:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card excels in offering enhanced benefits compared to its more affordable counterparts
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers versatile travel rewards
• Capital One Venture provides simple, flat-rate miles earning
• American Express® Gold Card features strong dining and groceries rewards

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Key Features and Benefits

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Welcome Bonus and Earning Potential

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card typically offers a substantial welcome bonus of up to 20,000 bonus points or more after meeting minimum spending requirements. This bonus can provide significant value toward free flights and helps accelerate progress toward the Companion Pass®.

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For ongoing rewards, the card earns:

• 3x points on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 2x points on local transit and commuting purchases, including rideshares
• 2x points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
• 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners
• 1x points on all other purchases

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Southwest-Specific Benefits

The card's most valuable perks are specifically designed for the Southwest experience:

• $75 Southwest annual travel credit applied as statement credits for Southwest purchases
• 7,500 anniversary bonus points awarded each year on your cardmember anniversary
• Four upgraded boardings per year when available (worth up to $50 each)
• 25% back on inflight purchases including WiFi, drinks, and movies
• Earn 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 spent (up to 15,000 TQPs annually)
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases
• All points earned count toward Companion Pass® qualification

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Travel and Purchase Protections

The card offers comprehensive protection benefits, including:

• Lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 per passenger
• Baggage delay insurance for essential purchases when luggage is delayed
• Travel accident insurance for covered losses during travel
• Auto rental collision damage waiver as primary coverage when renting for business purposes
• Extended warranty protection adding an additional year to eligible manufacturers' warranties
• Purchase protection covering new purchases against damage or theft

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Additional Card Features

Other notable features include:

• DoorDash benefits including complimentary DashPass membership
• Chase Pay Over Time option for flexible payment plans on larger purchases
• Contactless payment technology and digital wallet compatibility
• No blackout dates or seat restrictions when redeeming points for Southwest flights
• Refer a friend bonuses for successful card referrals
• Access to Chase's mobile app for account management and transaction history

Consider Using Kudos

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While the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers excellent value for Southwest flyers, maximizing your credit card rewards strategy often requires using multiple cards strategically. This is where Kudos can help.

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Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that automatically recommends the best credit card to use for each online purchase. For Southwest enthusiasts, Kudos can help identify when to use your Priority Card for maximum rewards and when another card in your wallet might offer better value.

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With Kudos, you can:

• Get personalized recommendations across your entire card portfolio
• Earn up to 5X rewards during exclusive "Flash Boost" events
• Discover new credit cards that complement your Southwest card based on your spending patterns
• Access integration with over 15,000 online stores

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If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.

Our Expert Takeaway

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card delivers exceptional value for frequent Southwest flyers who can take advantage of its unique benefits. When you factor in the $75 annual travel credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points (worth approximately $105), the effective annual fee drops to well below its $149 sticker price.

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The ability to earn Tier Qualifying Points toward elite status and Companion Pass® qualifying points makes this card particularly valuable for Southwest loyalists. The four upgraded boardings per year and inflight purchase discounts further enhance the Southwest travel experience.

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However, this card's value proposition depends heavily on your travel habits. If you fly Southwest several times per year and value early boarding and other Southwest-specific perks, this card is likely worth the investment. If you rarely fly Southwest or prefer more flexible rewards, consider alternatives a general travel card.

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For maximizing overall credit card rewards beyond just Southwest flights, consider pairing this card with Kudos to optimize your entire credit card strategy.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card FAQ

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What credit score do I need for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card?

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You'll typically need a good to excellent credit score (670-850) to qualify for this card. Those with scores above 700 have the best approval odds.

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How do I redeem points earned with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card?

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Points can be redeemed for Southwest flights through Southwest.com or the Southwest app, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. Points can also be used for international flights on partner airlines, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards, and merchandise through the Rapid Rewards portal.

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What is the Southwest Companion Pass® and how can this card help me earn it?

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The Companion Pass® allows a designated companion to fly with you nearly free (just paying taxes and fees) on Southwest flights. You can earn it by accumulating 135,000 qualifying points or flying 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. All points earned with this card, including the welcome bonus, count toward Companion Pass® qualification.

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How much is the annual fee, and when is it charged?

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The annual fee is $149 and is charged on your first billing statement after account opening and annually thereafter on your account anniversary date.

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Can I upgrade from another Southwest credit card to the Priority card?

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Yes, existing Southwest cardholders may be eligible to upgrade to the Priority Card. Contact Chase customer service to inquire about upgrade offers available on your account.

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Does the $75 Southwest annual travel credit apply to any Southwest purchase?

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Yes, the credit applies automatically as statement credits for Southwest Airlines purchases including flights, in-flight purchases, and Southwest vacation packages.

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How do the four upgraded boardings per year work?

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When available, you can purchase upgraded boarding positions (A1-A15) at the gate or ticket counter on the day of travel and receive statement credits for up to four upgrades per anniversary year.

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Do points earned with this card expire?

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No, as long as your Rapid Rewards account remains open and active, the points don't expire. However, if you close your account, you could lose access to your points.

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Can I add authorized users to my Southwest Priority Card account?

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Yes, you can add authorized users to your account at no additional annual fee. Purchases made by authorized users earn points for the primary cardmember's account.

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How is the 25% statement credit for inflight purchases applied?

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When you use your card for eligible inflight purchases such as WiFi, drinks, and movies, you'll receive a statement credit for 25% of the purchase amount, typically within 1-2 billing cycles.