Best Southwest Credit Cards of 2026
Four Chase Southwest cards, ranked, with the Companion Pass as the real prize.
Every Southwest card comes from Chase, and every point they earn counts toward the Companion Pass, which lets a chosen person fly with you for just taxes and fees for up to two years. Pairing a personal card with the Performance Business card is the classic shortcut to the 135,000-point Companion Pass requirement. All of these cards sit under the Chase 5/24 rule, so plan your order.
By Alex Compton · Updated
· ratings independent of compensation| Card | Annual fee | Bonus | Headline earn rate | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | $229 | 60,000 pts (≈$810) | 4x Southwest Airlines purchases | ★ 7.8 |
| 2.Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business | Under review | Under review | — | ★ 8.1 |
| 3.Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier | Under review | Under review | — | ★ 7.8 |
| 4.Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Under review | Under review | — | ★ 7.8 |
Best overall
4x Southwest Airlines purchases
2x Gas stations and restaurants
1x All other purchases
Why we chose it
The Priority is the benefits-heavy personal card: a first checked bag free, Preferred seats at booking, Extra Legroom upgrades within 48 hours when available and Group 5 boarding for the cardmember and up to eight companions. The $229 fee demands frequent use, while 7,500 anniversary points and no foreign transaction fees add ongoing value.
Skip it if: Southwest points are fixed-value, no outsized redemptions · Domestic-focused route network
Best for business
Current earning terms under review
Why we chose it
The Performance Business card carries the biggest welcome bonuses in the Southwest family, which makes it the engine of most Companion Pass runs. A 9,000-point anniversary bonus and four upgraded boardings a year back up the $199 fee. Pair it with a personal card and the Pass is in reach from bonuses alone.
Skip it if: Needs a legitimate business · $199 is steep if you fly Southwest rarely
Best middle ground
Current earning terms under review
Why we chose it
The Premier costs $99 and returns 6,000 anniversary points plus two EarlyBird check-ins a year. It keeps most of what matters from the Priority at a lower fee. It is the right pick if you fly Southwest a few times a year and skip the extras.
Skip it if: Southwest points only buy Southwest flights · Counts against Chase 5/24
Best low fee
Current earning terms under review
Why we chose it
The Plus is the cheapest way into the ecosystem at $69. You still get 3,000 anniversary points and full Companion Pass earning on every dollar. Its bonus points count the same as any other card's, so it works fine as the personal half of a Pass run.
Skip it if: 3% foreign transaction fee · No travel credit or upgraded boardings
The Bottom Line
Think Companion Pass first and card perks second. The strongest play is the Performance Business plus one personal card, timed so both bonuses land early in the calendar year to maximize the Pass window. If you only want one card, take the Priority. Watch 5/24 before you start, because two Chase applications is the whole plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card on the Best Southwest Credit Cards list has the most valuable welcome bonus?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card currently has the most valuable bonus on this list: 60,000 pts, worth roughly $810 by our valuations.
What is the highest-rated card on the Best Southwest Credit Cards list?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business carries our highest rating on this list at 8.1/10, with a $199 annual fee.
How we rank: picks are ordered by our independent 0-10 ratings, recently verified bonus value where available, annual fee, and earning structure. Current terms older than 45 days are withheld. Compensation never changes an order or a rating. Read our full rating methodology.
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