Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Cards Review: Get 50,000 Points

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If you can make use of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card’s many benefits and perks, it’s well worth the annual fee. You can also check out other Southwest cards such as the aSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardAnd Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardYou can also choose to pay lower annual fees and receive the same bonus.

Review: Which Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card is the best?

Southwest Airlines is one of the most accommodating US airlines when it comes to providing customer-friendly perks. Southwest allows you to check two bags free of charge and does not charge any fees for changing or cancelling your flight. If you fly Southwest even occasionally, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card can improve your travel experience, with benefits like an annual $75 travel credit and upgraded boarding up to four times per year. 

All the Southwest personal cards, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, are offering a bonus of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

You can count the points and bonus you earn from using this card as part of your welcome bonus. Southwest Companion PassThis requires you to earn 125,000 Southwest points per year. Companion Pass is a pass that allows you to bring a friend, family member or colleague along on paid and award flights.

Southwest points aren’t subject to expiration, so even if your flight schedule is not in the best shape, you can still redeem them. The card’s anniversary points or travel credit can make the $149 annual fees worthwhile. Before you make a decision on this card, check out the other options. Chase Southwest cards — the other two personal cards come with an identical bonus but lower annual fees (and fewer benefits).

This article is about the benefits and perks that each card comes with. If you have to pay interest or late fees, these cards will not be worth the cost. It is important that you pay your credit card in full each month. Also, pay on time and only spend what you are able to afford.

How to earn points on the Southwest Priority card

Chase recently Refreshed the Southwest card benefits and earning categories, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Cardholders can now earn:

• Southwest purchase (flights, inflights, gift cards and Southwest Vacations package) earns you 3x points
• Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partner Purchases 2x Points (see the complete list) Here)
• 2x points for local transit and commuting (including rideshare and passenger trains, buses and taxis), as well as ferries, toll bridges, highways and parking lots.
• 2x points on internet and cable services and select streaming (Disney+/Hulu, ESPN+/Netflix, Sling TV/Vudu, Fubo TV/Apple Music, SiriusXM/Pandora, Spotify, YouTube TV)
• Everything else: 1 point per $1

Southwest points: What to do?

Southwest offers a wide range of domestic routes, including Hawaii, as well as international flights to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. 

Southwest doesn’t have an award chart — instead, the number of points required for an award flight is tied to the price of a paid ticket. Based on the average value of a Southwest point, you can expect to receive a value of about 1.4 cents. Insider’s mileage and points valuationsWhen you use your points to redeem for award travel, Rapid Rewards does not have seat restrictions or blackout dates. As long as there is a seat for sale, you can book it with your points. 

Utilize your Southwest Points to book award flights online is straightforward — once you log into your Rapid Rewards account, just search for flights as if you were looking for a paid ticket. To easily compare the prices, you can switch between the points cost and the cash price. 

If you don’t fly Southwest right away, it’s not a problem to hold on to your points until then. They’ll never end. But, Southwest credit cardholders have other options to redeem points through the More rewards program. These include merchandise, gift cards and car rentals. They also have access to hotels, cruises, experiences, as well as international flights on other airlines. While the amount of points you will receive varies, it is often less than what you would get if you were to redeem for Southwest flights.

Benefits and perks

$75 annual Southwest Airlines travel credit

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has a $75 annual travel credit, which is valid for any Southwest purchase except upgraded boarding and in-flight purchases. Simply purchase a Southwest ticket and pay with the Priority Card to receive a $75 credit on your credit cards statement. There are no additional steps.

This credit can be used to offset the $149 annual fees if you spend $75 or more on Southwest flights.

Bonus points for Anniversaries

Each year when you renew your Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you’ll receive 7,500 points, which are worth around $105 in Southwest airfare. It’s more than enough to pay the $149 annual fee.

Upgraded boardings

The card reimburses you for any purchase Southwest offers four upgraded boardingsEvery year. This is a different option to Southwest Early Bird Check-In. If there is more space in the A1-A15 group, upgraded boarding can be purchased at the gate.

Southwest seating is notoriously first-come first-served, so upgrading boarding can be a great option to avoid a middle row. This normally costs $30 to $50 per flight, but with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card you won’t pay anything for the first four Upgraded Boardings each year.

Inflight purchase discount

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card also offers a 25% rebate on inflight purchases — including premium drinks, Wi-Fi, movies, and messaging — when you pay with your card.

You don’t get a Free checked bagThis card is not required, but you can use it. Southwest is one of few airlines that gives away two checked bags.

You can fast track to elite Southwest A-List status

This card is also a good option for those who want to be able to move up in the ranks of Southwest’s A and Preferred elites. You’ll receive 1,500 Tier Qualifying points (TQPs) for every $10,000 of eligible net purchases. There is no limit to the number of TQPs that you can earn. TQPs can only be earned by flying on a Southwest paid ticket.

Car rental insurance

When you use your Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card to pay the full cost of your car rental and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you’ll get coverage for damage due to collision or theft on most rental cars in the US and abroad.  This coverage is second to your personal policy in the US but primary overseas (or if your insurance doesn’t cover).

Extended warranty and purchase protection

Nearly All purchases are covered for theft or damageMaximum $500 per claim, maximum $50,000 per account for 120 days. If your product is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, this card will give you an additional year.

Insurance for baggage delay or lost luggage.

When traveling, your luggage is also covered: If you use the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card to pay for your flights and your bags are delayed over six hours, you’ll be reimbursed for necessities (up to $100 a day for three days).

You are covered up to $3,000 per person if your bags get lost or damaged.

Additional protections for travelers

You’ll be approved for the Visa Signature version of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card, you’ll get access to travel and emergency assistance services, which can help arrange things like medical and legal referrals when you’re away from home. Be aware that you are responsible for any services ordered.

Cardholders can get travel accident insurance. This covers the possibility of death or dismemberment if you use your card for transportation by air, rail, bus, or boat. Visa Platinum cardholders receive up to $250,000. Visa Signature cardholders have coverage up to $500,000, while Visa Platinum members can get coverage up to $250,000.

A roadside dispatch hotline will be available to assist you with services such as towing and jumpstarts. You’ll be charged the actual cost of the service. 

DoorDash free subscription

You can activate the program until December 31, 2024 DoorDash DashPass free subscriptionYou get no delivery charges and reduced service fees for orders placed through DoorDash or Caviar delivery services for 12 months. 

GoPuff credits

Cardholders will be eligible to receive $10 per Month until December 31, 2023 Gopuff credits when they add the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card as their default payment method in the Gopuff app. Gopuff offers quick delivery of essentials such as food, beverages, and personal supplies.

Once you make a Gopuff purchase that qualifies, your credit will post to your bank account. You will need to order a minimum of $10. There will be a $2.95 delivery cost per order. 

Costs and fees

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card has a $149 annual fee, and There are no foreign transaction feesYou don’t need to worry about additional charges when traveling internationally.

Like most cards, there will be a fee for cash advances and balance transfers as well as late or returned payment.

Comparison: Southwest Rapid Reward Priority vs. other Southwest personal card

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority over other airline credit card

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

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