7,500 anniversary points + $75 travel credit + 4 upgraded boardings — the top-tier Southwest personal card.
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ClearValue Rating: 3.9 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)
Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
Frequent Southwest flyers who want the best annual perks package and are working toward a Companion Pass.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card carries a $149 annual fee, partially offset by a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points each year. The typical welcome bonus ranges from 50,000 to 85,000 points — verify the current offer at Chase.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card — 7,500 anniversary points + $75 travel credit + 4 upgraded boardings — the top-tier Southwest personal card. Best for: Frequent Southwest flyers who want the best annual perks package and are working toward a Companion Pass.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
Southwest's Companion Pass requires earning 135,000 qualifying Companion Pass points in a calendar year. Points earned from credit card welcome bonuses and everyday spending count toward this threshold, as do points earned from Southwest flights. If you earn a large welcome bonus early in a calendar year, the combined bonus + ongoing spend can push you to the 135,000 threshold — unlocking a pass valid for the remainder of that year plus all of the next calendar year. Verify the current Companion Pass rules, including which points qualify and the threshold amount, at southwest.com — program terms can change. Source: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program terms.
Southwest offers three personal Rapid Rewards credit cards through Chase, tiered by annual fee and perks: the Rapid Rewards Priority ($149/yr) earns 3x on Southwest purchases and includes a $75 annual travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points, and 4 upgraded boardings per year; the Rapid Rewards Premier Plus ($99/yr) earns 3x on Southwest with 6,000 anniversary points but no travel credit or upgraded boardings; the Rapid Rewards Premier ($69/yr) earns 2x on Southwest with 3,000 anniversary points. All three cards earn points that count toward the Companion Pass threshold. The Priority card's higher anniversary bonus and travel credit make it the strongest ongoing-value tier for frequent Southwest flyers. Verify current card tiers and benefits at chase.com/southwest. Source: Chase Southwest card comparison, verified June 3, 2026.
Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains active. An account is considered active if you have qualifying earning or redemption activity within a 24-month period. Credit card purchases on a Rapid Rewards card, Southwest flights, and partner activity all count as qualifying activity. For cardholders who use the card regularly, expiration is effectively a non-issue. Verify the current points expiration and account activity policy at southwest.com. Source: Southwest Rapid Rewards program terms.
No. ClearValue Lending is not a bank, card issuer, lender, or financial advisor. This review presents publicly available editorial information about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card. This card is issued and operated by Chase Bank USA, N.A. in partnership with Southwest Airlines. APRs, annual fees, rewards rates, and terms are determined solely by Chase/Southwest and may change — verify current terms at chase.com before applying.
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