Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier worth it?
Southwest Rapid Rewards · $149 annual fee
Source date June 8, 20262 recent changes to this card : newest took effect Jul 24, 2025, including a cut already in effectRead them
Took effect May 28, 2025
In effectSouthwest ended its 50-year free-checked-bags policy program-wide; most fares now pay about $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, removing a benefit Southwest was long known for.
SourceTook effect Jul 24, 2025
In effectIn response, Chase added a new card benefit: the cardholder plus up to 8 companions on the same reservation get their first checked bag free, partly offsetting Southwest's new bag fees.
Source~$579Estimated first-year value
Card terms under re-review
This estimate uses the recorded bonus, counted credits, and annual fee. Recommendations are withheld until an issuer re-review is recorded. Confirm current terms and your eligibility before deciding.
We earn nothing from this one. It's a direct link to the issuer. Read the current offer and compare the costs with your needs before applying. See exactly how we picked it.
This estimate uses the same math whether we get paid or not.
- Annual fee
- $149
- Signup bonus
- 50,000 ptsafter $1,000 in 3 months
- Foreign tx fee
- None
- Credit needed
- Good to excellent (typically 700+)
Scores and offer rankings are withheld while card terms are under re-review.
Make the math yoursadjust the credits
Our estimate starts with our model's credit defaults. Tell us which credits you'd actually use and we'll re-run year one on your answers.
Estimated first-year value
$579
Card terms under re-review
This estimate reflects your inputs and the recorded terms. A recommendation is withheld pending issuer re-review.
Estimated annual value after year one (no bonus): −$71/yr : based on these inputs; actual value can differ.
Which credits will you actually use?
6,000 anniversary points each year
$78/yrAuto-deposited on your cardmember anniversary. ~1.3c each = roughly $78 in Southwest flights. Southwest-only value.
Starting from our model's credit defaults. Tap to make it yours. Bonus and rewards valued at a conservative 1.3c/point.
We value Southwest Rapid Rewards at a conservative 1.3c/point (a motivated redeemer can reach ~1.4c). Southwest Rapid Rewards are pegged to cash fares (~1.3-1.4c), so there's little upside but also no devaluation surprise. Companion Pass is the real prize, not per-point value. See how we value points.
The recorded signup offer
These are recorded offer facts and labeled model estimates. Card terms under re-review; check the issuer for the current offer.
Recent typical offer
50,000 points after $1,000 spend in 3 months
Offers change constantly: this is a recent typical bonus, not a guarantee. Always verify the live offer on the issuer's site before applying.
Both bars are our planning estimates for 50,000 points. Actual redemption values can differ.
at 1.4¢/pt: our achievable estimate
at 1.3¢/pt: our conservative planning estimate
That's $50 (7%) between our estimates, with the percentage measured against the achievable estimate. The card-value calculations on this page use our planning baseline.
Chase's 5/24 rule
Chase typically won't approve you if you've opened 5 or more credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months. Check your count before you apply.
Another card to explore
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Check recorded facts and current issuer terms.
What you actually get
- First checked bag free for you + up to 8 on the reservation
- 6,000 anniversary points every year (auto-deposited)
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points per year
- Complimentary Preferred seat selection within 48 hours of departure + Group 5 boarding
- 15% annual flight-discount promo code (excludes Basic fares) + 25% back on inflight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
How it earns
See how it stacks up
Compare recorded fees, programs, and terms side by side. Winners are withheld while any card's terms are under re-review.
Honest answers
Do you recommend the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier?
Where can I check the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier offer?
The honest playbook
Before deciding on a card, consider interest, spending requirements, and how you would use the benefits.
Check current issuer terms
Offers change often, so always confirm the current bonus and fee on the issuer's own site before applying.
We earn nothing from this one. It's a direct link to the issuer. Read the current offer and compare the costs with your needs before applying. See exactly how we picked it.
Not sure it fits your trip? Run the optimizer
Sources: how we know this2 issuer sources
These sources support the recorded figures and estimates. Offers change, so always confirm the current terms on the issuer's own page.
Issuer sources
Other references
How we make money, honestly: we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through one of our links, and a small commission if you book a hotel through one of our links. Both at no cost to you. Our ranking never depends on payout fields. A “pay cash” verdict earns us nothing by itself; if you then book a hotel through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Offers and terms change constantly; always confirm current details on the provider's site before booking.