Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

• Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
• Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
• First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
• Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.
• Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.

[.dontreco] We don’t recommend: Redeeming points for non-flight rewards [.dontreco]

While you can use your Rapid Rewards points for things like gift cards, the value per point is significantly lower compared to booking flights. Save your points for flights to get the best value and enjoy those free trips.

[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Booking directly through Southwest’s website [.sometimesreco]

Booking directly on the Southwest Airlines website often unlocks promotional offers and ensures you earn points on your fare. Just keep an eye on blackout dates and availability, as value can fluctuate depending on travel dates.

[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Utilizing the Companion Pass [.alwaysreco]

The Companion Pass is a game changer, letting a friend or family member fly with you for just the cost of taxes. This benefit makes the card especially valuable for frequent travelers. And, make sure to take advantage of the card's points-earning potential when booking flights to maximize your rewards.

1. The Southwest Loyalist
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If you’re flying Southwest multiple times a year, this is the personal card to have. The free checked bag, Preferred seat selection, and Upgraded Boardings make your travel days better while saving you money. Add in the anniversary points, and you’ll easily justify the annual fee. And honestly, even if you don’t travel every week, this card offers enough built-in value to make sense for occasional flights.
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2. The Companion Pass Fan
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The Companion Pass is Southwest’s holy grail, letting a companion fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees. Every point earned from this card counts toward earning the pass, plus you get an automatic 10,000-point head start each year. If the Companion Pass is on your wish list, the Priority card makes a ton of sense. ‍

You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is low, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Southwest Plus Card, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

A decent credit score is recommended for the Southwest Priority Card. But again, if you’re in a solid place with your credit and feel you are ready for a new card, don’t let the fear of being rejected keep you from applying. We’ve known several people to be rejected on their first application, use the reconsideration line, and be granted this card. The worst they can say is “no,” and more often than not, we’ve found these people want to help!