Benefit Activation Checklist
Step-by-step guide to activate and maximize every benefit on this card.
Advertiser Disclosure:
Katie's Travel Tricks has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Katie's Travel Tricks and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Editorial Disclosure:
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's alone.
Non-Affiliate Offer
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Welcome Offer
55,000 Bonus Points
Earn 55,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
How to Earn Rewards
3x
Points per $1 on Southwest Airlines® purchases (flights, inflight, Southwest gift cards)
2x
Points per $1 on the first $8,000 in COMBINED purchases at GROCERY STORES and RESTAURANTS per anniversary year (then 1x)
1x
Point per $1 on all other purchases (and on grocery/restaurant spend over $8,000 cap)
1x
Point per $1 on balance transfers (up to $15,000 in first 90 days after account opening)
Key Benefits
Tap any benefit to see details.
6,000 Anniversary Points Each Year (~$78-90 Value)
Receive 6,000 Rapid Rewards points each year on your cardmember anniversary, automatically deposited into your Rapid Rewards account. ~$78 in airfare value (1.3 cpp). Helps offset the $149 annual fee.
Free First Checked Bag for Cardholder + Up to 8 in Same Reservation
Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Saves $35 per checked bag per person per direction (Southwest's current bag fee). For a family of 4 round-trip, this can save $280+ per trip. Became significantly more valuable when Southwest ended universal free bags on May 28, 2025.
10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost Each Calendar Year
Cardholders receive 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost each calendar year (automatically credited). Bringing you closer to the 135,000-point Companion Pass threshold. Combine with welcome offer + ongoing spending for fastest path to Companion Pass.
15% Off Promo Code Each Year (Excludes Basic Fares)
Each cardmember anniversary year, receive a 15% off promo code for a Southwest flight. Code excludes Basic fares. Useful for booking a single discounted flight per year.
Standard or Preferred Seat Selection 48 Hours Before Departure
Cardholder + up to 8 passengers in same reservation can select a Standard or Preferred seat within 48 hours prior to departure (subject to availability). For Southwest's new January 27, 2026 reserved seating system. Note: 48-hour timing means seats may be limited compared to Priority cardholders who select at booking.
Group 5 Boarding for Cardholder + Up to 8 Passengers
Cardholders + up to 8 passengers on the same reservation board with Group 5, ahead of the general boarding groups. Earlier access to overhead bin space.
25% Back on Inflight Drinks and WiFi
Receive a 25% statement credit on inflight purchases (drinks, WiFi, etc.) when paying with your Southwest Premier card.
1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points Per $5,000 Spent (Path to A-List)
Earn 1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points (TQPs) for every $5,000 spent on the card. A-List status requires 35,000 TQPs. Path to A-List Preferred is 70,000 TQPs.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases. Useful when traveling abroad.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (Secondary)
Charge the entire rental cost to your card and decline the rental company's collision insurance. Secondary coverage in the U.S.
Baggage Delay Insurance
Reimbursement for unreimbursed expenses (toiletries, clothing, etc.) when baggage is delayed by a common carrier.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Reimbursement for the cost to repair or replace checked or carry-on baggage that is lost, damaged, or stolen during a covered trip.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
24/7 hotline for help with travel arrangements, medical referrals, legal referrals, and emergency travel arrangements.
Travel Accident Insurance
Travel accident insurance when you charge eligible travel purchases (common carrier fares) to your card.
Purchase Protection
Purchase protection covers eligible new purchases against damage or theft for a limited time.
Extended Warranty Protection
Extends eligible U.S. manufacturer's warranties of 3 years or less by an additional year.
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
Show
Hide
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
I think the overall value is currently most balanced on this one, comparing all the Southwest cards with their new higher annual fees. You can compare all the Southwest cards here. The biggest downside is that you can't pick seats with this card until 48 hours before departure, and by that time, sometimes it's hard to find seats together. Because of that. some people will prefer the Priority card instead, even though the value on paper isn't quite as good.
On your cardmember anniversary you'll get 6000 anniversary points — that's worth about $90 in flights. You'll also get a 15% off coupon on your anniversary (not valid on Basic fares). And then you'll get the additional option of picking Preferred or Standard seats 48 ours in advance. Effectively when you value the anniversary points, I think the Premier card costs $5 more than the Plus — and I think that $5 is worth it for having more seats to pick from.
With any offer, pay close attention to Companion Pass timelines if you're hoping to earn a Companion Pass.
Benefits Calculator
What's the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
Calculate
Hide
Benefits Calculator
What's the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card Benefits Calculator
Enter your personal estimated annual value for each benefit to see a customized calculation of the card's worth.
Receive 6,000 Rapid Rewards points each year on your cardmember anniversary, automatically deposited into your Rapid Rewards account. ~$78 in airfare value (1.3 cpp). Helps offset the $149 annual fee.
$
Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 additional passengers traveling on the same reservation. Saves $35 per checked bag per person per direction (Southwest's current bag fee). For a family of 4 round-trip, this can save $280+ per trip. Became significantly more valuable when Southwest ended universal free bags on May 28, 2025. (per-use benefit — value depends on how often you'll use it)
$
Cardholders receive 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost each calendar year (automatically credited). Bringing you closer to the 135,000-point Companion Pass threshold. Combine with welcome offer + ongoing spending for fastest path to Companion Pass.
$
Each cardmember anniversary year, receive a 15% off promo code for a Southwest flight. Code excludes Basic fares. Useful for booking a single discounted flight per year.
$
Your Total Annual Value
$0
Annual Fee: $149
Your Net Value / Cost
$0
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
View History
Hide
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 55,000 Bonus PointsCurrent | $1,500 in 3 mo | Standard offer (current) |
| 40,000 - 85,000 Bonus Points | Variable spend | Recurring offer range throughout the year |
| 100,000 Bonus PointsElevated | Standard spend | Highest-ever; ENDED September 2025 |
| 85,000 Bonus PointsElevated | $3,000 in 3 mo | Elevated; ENDED December 2025 |
| 30,000 Points + Promotional Companion PassElevated | Standard spend | Best-ever for spring; ENDED March 19, 2026 |
