Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card overview
The Southwest Speedy Rewards® Premier Credit score Card is the center of the pack for Southwest private bank cards. Whereas airline bank cards typically haven’t got many perks, the absence of overseas transaction charges and the 6,000-anniversary bonus factors ought to assist offset this card’s affordable $99 annual payment. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
Savvy TPG readers know we typically do not suggest constructing your factors technique round a single cobranded airline bank card, as these have a tendency to supply fewer perks and fewer flexibility than a comparably-priced transferable factors card.
In relation to the Southwest Speedy Rewards card portfolio, you may typically discover higher incomes charges and extra versatile redemption choices with playing cards that earn Chase Final Rewards factors — such because the Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card — which you’ll be able to then switch to Southwest Speedy Rewards at a 1:1 price. That mentioned, Southwest bank cards are extremely popular amongst Southwest followers.
With a really helpful credit score rating of 670 or larger, the mid-tier model of the three private Southwest playing cards — the Southwest Premier card — has a very good stability of perks and an annual payment of $99 that might make it worthy of a spot in your card assortment.
This is every little thing it is advisable to know in regards to the Southwest Premier card that will help you resolve whether or not it must be in your pockets.
The data for the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier bank card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card professionals and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Associated: How to decide on your greatest bank card technique
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card welcome provide
New Southwest Premier cardholders can earn 40,000 bonus factors and a $400 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. This provide ends Dec. 16.
Every day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
In line with TPG’s December 2024 valuations, the welcome provide is value as much as $960 when together with the assertion credit score — a superb worth for the spending requirement.
The welcome provide might sound extra interesting for those who place a excessive worth on Southwest’s Companion Passes. The bonus factors will get you a lot nearer to acquiring a Companion Go, which prices 135,000 factors.
To benefit from the Companion Go for 2025 and 2026, apply for the cardboard in early December. Then, after your December assertion date, meet the minimal spending standards to gather your bonus factors for January. This could allow you to earn a Companion Go for 2025 and 2026 (moderately than the rest of 2024 and 2025 in case your bonus factors arrive in December).
Bear in mind you could’t earn a welcome bonus on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card for those who at the moment have a private Southwest card or have earned a welcome bonus on a private Southwest card prior to now 24 months.
Additionally, Southwest’s cobranded playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. In case you’ve opened 5 or extra new accounts over the previous 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), you’ll possible be denied for this card.
Associated: The final word information to bank card software restrictions
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card advantages
Whereas we usually do not anticipate an airline bank card with a $99 annual payment to return loaded with perks, the Southwest Premier card has a number of advantages.
You will obtain 6,000 bonus factors on every account anniversary, that are value $84 in response to TPG’s December 2024 valuations. That is a major chunk of this card’s annual payment.
Additionally, you may get pleasure from further advantages like two EarlyBird check-ins per yr with the Southwest Premier Card — serving to you get on the airplane early to snag a greater seat — and 25% again on inflight purchases. Two complimentary EarlyBird check-ins are a pleasant perk since Southwest not too long ago raised the price of this product.
Cardholders may also earn Southwest A-Listing elite standing extra rapidly. You will earn 1,500 bonus Tier Qualifying Factors for each $5,000 you spend in a calendar yr. There is not any restrict on the variety of TQPs you may earn.
Moreover, cardholders additionally earn a ten,000 Companion Go qualifying factors enhance every year.
Associated: Southwest Speedy Rewards is now providing Money + Factors redemption
Incomes factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card
Most airline bank cards award bonus factors or miles for purchases straight with the service, and that is definitely true right here: You will earn 3 factors per greenback spent with Southwest on the Premier card.
Nonetheless, it additionally has different engaging bonus classes: You will earn 2 factors per greenback spent on Speedy Rewards lodge and automobile rental accomplice purchases, native transit and commuting purchases, web, cable and telephone providers and with choose streaming suppliers.
You will earn 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases.
In line with our December 2024 valuations, this quantities to a 4.2% return on spending with Southwest and a 2.8% return on spending in different bonus classes.
Associated: 6 straightforward methods I take advantage of to earn over 500,000 factors and miles a yr
Redeeming factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card
When it is time to use your rewards, top-of-the-line issues about redeeming Southwest Speedy Rewards factors is the simplicity of the method. Whether or not you choose the most affordable Wanna Get Away fares or the costliest Enterprise Choose tickets, the price of your award ticket is tied to the money value of the flight.
This implies you do not have to fret about getting the very best potential cent-per-point redemption worth.
If in case you have Speedy Rewards factors, you can even redeem them for reward playing cards or merchandise. Nonetheless, the perfect worth comes from utilizing your factors for Southwest flights — together with choices to Hawaii and worldwide locations.
TPG managing editor for bank cards Matt Moffitt lives in Austin, Texas, the place the airline operates virtually 40% of flights. Due to this, he likes to have a stash of Speedy Rewards factors to fly to locations like Chicago, Los Angeles and Cancun.
Southwest additionally repeatedly runs flash gross sales, which you’ll be able to benefit from to get an important deal reserving with factors. Moreover, Southwest’s coverage of no change or cancellation charges means you may reprice your award ticket if the worth drops. This presents beneficial flexibility to get the absolute best redemption.
Associated: Methods to change or cancel a Southwest Airways flight
Which playing cards compete with the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card?
The Southwest Premier card has two apparent rivals: Chase’s different Southwest bank cards. Nonetheless, it is value contemplating a basic journey bank card with the same annual payment to see whether or not that possibility is healthier in your pockets. Let’s have a look at how they stack up:
For extra choices, take a look at our full record of the perfect journey bank cards.
Associated: Evaluating the Southwest Speedy Rewards Precedence, Premier, and Plus Credit score Playing cards
Is the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card value it?
The 6,000-anniversary bonus factors largely offset the Southwest Premier card’s $99 annual payment. You will absolutely justify the annual payment for those who worth its different perks at greater than $15. Nonetheless, most Southwest loyalists will get extra worth from the Southwest Precedence bank card as an alternative, because it presents extra advantages.
Associated: One of the best United Airways bank cards
Backside line
The Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier card generally is a good possibility for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. In case you fly with Southwest sometimes, this card’s value level and perks might make it a very good match in your pockets with out the upper price ticket on different journey bank cards. Nonetheless, most Southwest followers will possible choose the advantages of the higher-tier Southwest Precedence card as an alternative.
Associated: Are airline bank cards value it anymore?
