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 do not have many perks, the absence of overseas transaction charges and 6,000-anniversary bonus factors ought to assist offset this card’s cheap $99 annual price. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card score relies 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 well-liked Card — which you’ll be able to then switch to Southwest Speedy Rewards at a 1:1 price.
That stated, Southwest bank cards are very talked-about amongst Southwest followers. With a advisable credit score rating of 670, the mid-tier model of the three private Southwest playing cards — the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card — has a very good steadiness of perks and an annual price that would make it worthy of a spot in your card assortment.
Here is the whole lot you should know in regards to the Southwest Premier Card that will help you resolve if it ought to earn a spot in your pockets.
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card execs and cons
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Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card welcome supply
New candidates for the Southwest Premier card can earn a Companion Cross (good by means of Feb. 28, 2025) plus 30,000 bonus factors once they spend $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
The Southwest Companion Cross is an ultra-valuable perk that means that you can add a companion to your Southwest reservation totally free (plus relevant taxes and costs) on a limiteless variety of Southwest Airways flights for so long as you have got the go. Normally, you should earn 135,000 tier-qualifying factors (by flying Southwest or spending on cobranded bank cards) or full 100 qualifying flights inside a calendar 12 months to snag this coveted Companion Cross.
However with this supply, you may get a worthwhile Companion Cross simply by assembly the minimal spending requirement to earn this bonus. Plus, you may additionally get 30,000 bonus factors, which TPG values at $420. This matches the greatest supply we have seen on this card, so now is a superb time to snag it in the event you’ve been desirous about it.
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Do not forget that you’ll be able to’t earn a sign-up bonus on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card in the event you presently have any private Southwest card or have earned a sign-up bonus on a private Southwest card up to now 24 months.
Additionally, Southwest’s cobranded playing cards are topic to Chase’s 5/24 rule. In the event you’ve opened 5 or extra new accounts over the previous 24 months (throughout all issuers, not simply Chase), you’ll seemingly be denied for this card.
Associated: The final word information to bank card software restrictions
Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card advantages
Whilst you do not count on an airline bank card with a $99 annual price to return loaded with perks, the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card has fairly a number of advantages.
You may obtain 6,000 bonus factors on every account anniversary, which TPG values at $84 — that means that the anniversary bonus almost offsets the cardboard’s $99 annual price.
Additionally, you may get pleasure from extra advantages like two EarlyBird check-ins per 12 months with the Southwest Premier Card — serving to you get on the airplane early to snag a greater seat — and 25% again on inflight purchases.
You may additionally be curious about incomes Southwest A-Checklist elite standing to additional improve your travels with the service. You may earn bonus TQPs by spending on the Premier card: 1,500 TQPs for each $5,000 spent per calendar 12 months.
Associated: Battle of the airways: Why I believe Southwest Airways is the most effective
Incomes factors on the Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card
Most airline bank cards award bonus factors or miles for purchases immediately with the service, and that is definitely true right here: You may earn 3 factors per greenback spent with Southwest on the Premier Card.
Nevertheless, it additionally has different attractive bonus classes: You may earn 2 factors per greenback spent on native transit and commuting purchases, web, cable and cellphone companies and with choose streaming suppliers. You may earn 1 level per greenback on all different eligible purchases.
This quantities to a 4.2% return on spending with Southwest and a 1.4% return on on a regular basis spending, in keeping with our valuations.
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 worth of the flight.
This implies you do not have to fret about getting the very best attainable cent-per-point redemption worth. In case you have Speedy Rewards factors, you’ll be able to redeem them for reward playing cards or merchandise. Nonetheless, the most effective worth comes from utilizing your factors for Southwest flights — together with choices to Hawaii and worldwide locations.
Southwest repeatedly runs flash gross sales, which you’ll be able to make the most of to get an awesome deal reserving with factors. For instance, TPG bank cards author Emily Thompson just lately booked a round-trip flight between Nashville (BNA) and San Jose, California (SJC) for below 25,000 factors throughout considered one of these gross sales.
And keep in mind that Southwest’s coverage of no change or cancellation charges means you’ll be able to reprice your award ticket if the value drops. This presents worthwhile flexibility to get the very best redemption.
Learn extra: Learn how 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 opponents: Chase’s different Southwest bank cards. Nevertheless, it is value contemplating a common journey bank card with the same annual price to see whether or not that is higher to your pockets. Let’s have a look at how they stack up:
For extra choices, take a look at our full listing of 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 Southwest Premier card with a $99 annual price is usually offset by the 6,000-anniversary bonus factors, which have a price of $84, in keeping with TPG’s valuations. It covers the annual price in the event you worth its different perks at greater than $15. Nevertheless, most Southwest loyalists ought to apply for the Precedence card as an alternative, because it presents extra advantages.
Backside line
The Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card generally is a good choice for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. In the event you fly with Southwest sometimes, this card’s worth level and perks may make it a very good match to your pockets with out the upper price ticket on different journey bank cards.
Apply right here: Southwest Speedy Rewards Premier Credit score Card